History of San Diego Zoo in Timeline

The San Diego Zoo, located in Balboa Park, San Diego, California, originated from leftover animals from the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. Founded by Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth, it is renowned for pioneering open-air, cage-less exhibits designed to mimic natural animal habitats, marking a significant advancement in zoo design and animal welfare.

1915: Exotic animal exhibitions after Panama-California Exposition

In 1915, the San Diego Zoo started with exotic animal exhibitions abandoned after the 1915 Panama–California Exposition.

1915: Exotic animals left over from Panama-California Exposition

In 1915, the San Diego Zoo's history began with a collection of animals left over from the 1915 Panama–California Exposition. Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth brought these animals together, ultimately founding the zoo.

October 2, 1916: Zoological Society of San Diego founded

On October 2, 1916, Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth founded the Zoological Society of San Diego, initially following precedents set by the New York Zoological Society at the Bronx Zoo.

August 1921: Land Set Aside in Balboa Park

In August 1921, a permanent tract of land in Balboa Park was set aside for the San Diego Zoo. The city would own the animals and the zoo would manage them.

1922: First cageless lion exhibit opens

In 1922, the first lion area at the San Diego Zoo without enclosing wires opened, marking a pioneer in building "cageless" exhibits.

June 13, 1923: Frank Buck Becomes Zoo Director

On June 13, 1923, Frank Buck started his role as the director of the San Diego Zoo, after being contracted by Wegeforth for a three-year period.

1923: Scripps Aviary Built

In 1923, the Scripps Aviary was built and is home to many colorful birds from Africa.

1925: Belle Benchley Appointed as Executive Secretary

In 1925, Belle Benchley was appointed as the executive secretary, in effect the zoo director.

1925: Publication of ZooNooz

In early 1925, the publication ZooNooz commenced.

1926: Research Hospital Design

In 1926, local architect Louis John Gill designed the Spanish Revival-style research hospital at the San Diego Zoo, receiving an Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects.

1937: World's Largest Bird Cage Design

In 1937, Louis John Gill designed a bird cage at the San Diego Zoo, which was then the largest bird cage in the world.

1938: Giraffes transported from British East Africa

In October of 1938, under the direction of Belle Benchley, the zoo arranged to have two three-year old giraffes transported from British East Africa via freighter, where during their 54 days at sea they were caught in the Hurricane of 1938. The giraffes were then kept for 16 days at the U.S. Animal Quarantine Station in Athenia, New Jersey and driven cross-country over 14 days via the nascent Lee Highway on a specially customized 1938 International D-40 truck to the zoo in San Diego.

1940: Escape of Terrible Trudy

In 1940, a Malayan Tapir managed to escape several times, earning it the nickname "Terrible Trudy".

1941: Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth's Presidency End

In 1941, Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth served as the president of the Zoological Society of San Diego until 1941.

1953: Belle Benchley Resigned as Zoo Director

In 1953, Belle Benchley stepped down as zoo director.

1959: Death of Lofty the Giraffe

In 1959, Lofty, one of the two giraffes transported from British East Africa in 1938, passed away due to old age.

1962: Death of Patches the Giraffe

In 1962, Patches, the other giraffe transported from British East Africa in 1938, passed away due to old age.

1969: Skyfari Built

In 1969, the Skyfari, an overhead gondola lift providing an aerial view of the zoo, was built by the Von Roll tramway company of Bern, Switzerland.

1973: Cascade Canyon Opening

In 1973, the exhibit area known as Cascade Canyon opened.

1975: CRES Founded

In 1975, the zoo's Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species (CRES) was founded at the urging of Kurt Benirschke, who became its first director.

1977: Tasmanian Devil Escape and Capture

In 1977, a Tasmanian devil escaped and was captured by an animal control officer for the County of San Diego, Tom Van Wagner, in a south-central San Diego home's garage. The animal was then transported to the zoo.

1979: African penguins

In 1979, African penguins arrived for the first time in the zoo.

1982: Whittier Southeast Asian Exhibits Opening

In 1982, the "Whittier Southeast Asian Exhibits" opened at the San Diego Zoo.

1982: California Condor Population

In 1982, the population of California Condors dwindled to only 22, prompting the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance to begin the first propagation program for the species.

November 1984: Exhibition of Snub-Nosed Monkeys

In November 1984, a Chinese delegation brought a pair of Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys to the San Diego Zoo for a 13-day exhibition. This was the first time that golden snub-nosed monkeys were exhibited abroad.

1988: Tiger Trail Opening

In 1988, Tiger Trail opened, housing Malayan tiger brothers, Conner and Berani, along with Asian fairy-bluebirds, Baikal teals and fishing cats, among others.

1988: Tiger River Dedication

In 1988, the Tiger Trail area of the zoo was dedicated as 'Tiger River'.

1989: Sun Bear Forest Opening

In 1989, the $3.5 million Sun Bear Forest exhibit opened, housing Bornean sun bears, François' langurs, White-cheeked gibbons, and Aye-ayes.

1991: Gorilla Tropics Opening

In 1991, Gorilla Tropics opened, simulating the rainforests of central Africa and featuring an 8,000-square-foot enclosure for gorillas, including waterfalls, a meadow, and tropical plants.

1996: Polar Bear Plunge Opening

In 1996, Polar Bear Plunge opened at the San Diego Zoo, housing over 30 Arctic species including polar bears named Kalluk, Chinook, and Tatqiq, reindeer, arctic foxes, raccoons, and eurasian lynx.

September 1, 1997: Albino Koala Born

On September 1, 1997, the world's only albino koala in a zoological facility was born at the San Diego Zoo. It was named Onya-Birri.

1999: Hua Mei Born

In 1999, Hua Mei, a female giant panda cub, was born at the San Diego Zoo.

1999: Ituri Forest Opening

In 1999, the 'Ituri Forest' exhibit opened, simulating the Ituri Forest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and housing rainforest animals like okapi, black duiker, forest buffalo and hippopotamus.

2000: Decrease in number of animal species

In 2000, the total number of animal species was around 860.

2000: Safari Park Size

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park covers nearly 2000 acres.

2003: Mei Sheng Born

In 2003, Mei Sheng, a male giant panda cub, was born at the San Diego Zoo.

2003: Orangutan Exhibit Renovation

In 2003, the "Whittier Southeast Asian Exhibits" were renovated to house Sumatran orangutans Labu, Karen, Indah, Aisha, and Kaja, as well as siamangs Eloise and Selamat.

2005: CRES Renamed

In 2005, CRES was renamed the Division of Conservation and Research for Endangered Species under newly appointed director Allison Alberts to better reflect its mission.

2005: Monkey Trails Opens

In 2005, Monkey Trails opened, replacing the decades-old Ape and Bird Mesa exhibits. Monkey Trails showcases primates and other animals native to the tropical rainforests of Asia and Africa.

2006: Last Red Panda Baby Before 2023

In 2006, It was the last time a baby red panda was born for the San Diego Zoo, until Adira and Lucas welcomed their first little cub on June 9, 2023.

May 23, 2009: Elephant Odyssey Opening

On May 23, 2009, Elephant Odyssey opened, featuring a 2.5-acre elephant habitat and life-size statues of ancient creatures of Southern California. The exhibit also includes Shaba, Inhlonipho, Vus'Musi and Tsandizkle.

2009: CRES Expanded

In 2009, CRES was significantly expanded to become the Institute for Conservation Research.

March 2010: Polar Bear Plunge Renovation

In March 2010, the Polar Bear Plunge exhibit at the San Diego Zoo, which originally opened in 1996, was renovated.

July 29, 2012: Xiao Liwu Born

On July 29, 2012, Xiao Liwu was born.

January 9, 2013: Xiao Liwu Outside

On January 9, 2013, Xiao Liwu was let outside for visitors to see.

March 2013: Hyena Escape and Lockdown

In March 2013, during a private party, the San Diego Zoo initiated a lockdown after two striped hyenas escaped from their barriers. They were sedated and taken to the veterinary care clinic.

May 2013: Australian Outback Opening

In May 2013, a new Australian Outback area, nicknamed "Koalafornia", opened at the San Diego Zoo.

October 2013: Tasmanian Devils Exhibit

Since October 2013, the Australian Outback exhibit also houses Tasmanian devils, the first American zoo to do so.

2014: Arrival of African Penguins

In 2014, a colony of African penguins arrived for the first time in the zoo since 1979.

2014: Koala Escape

In 2014, a koala named Mundu escaped to a neighboring tree just outside its Koalafornia Australia Outback enclosure, but was lured down by zookeepers after closing that day.

2014: Hornbill Collection

In 2014, together the zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park hold America's most diverse collection of hornbills, with 15 species displayed.

2015: Panda Cubs Sent to China

By 2015, all of the giant panda cubs born at the zoo had been sent back to China to participate in the breeding program there.

2015: Wolf's Guenons Escape

In early 2015, two Wolf's guenons escaped their Lost Forest enclosure. One neared a fence line off of Route 163, but was brought back to safety without injury.

September 7, 2016: Gelada Troop Arrival

On September 7, 2016, an all-male troop of geladas arrived at the San Diego Zoo from the Wilhelma Zoo in Stuttgart, Germany.

2016: Death of Baba the Pangolin

In 2016, Baba, who was the last pangolin on display in North America, died at the zoo.

June 22, 2017: Penguin Move-in

On June 22, 2017, a group of 20 penguins moved into the Cape Fynbos exhibit to prepare for its opening.

June 23, 2017: Leopard Sharks Arrival

On June 23, 2017, twelve leopard sharks arrived from SeaWorld San Diego to join the penguins in their exhibit.

June 28, 2017: Shark and Penguin Introduction

On Wednesday, June 28, 2017, leopard sharks were introduced to their exhibit and their penguin neighbors at the San Diego Zoo.

July 1, 2017: Africa Rocks Opening

On July 1, 2017, the Africa Rocks exhibit opened, highlighting the biodiversity of Africa.

December 6, 2017: Africa Rocks Completion

The Africa Rocks exhibit, which opened on July 1, 2017, was completed on December 6, 2017.

2017: Penguins Move to Africa Rocks

In 2017, the colony of African penguins moved into Africa Rocks after it opened.

April 2019: Giant Panda Exhibit Closed

In April 2019, the giant panda exhibit closed, and the pandas were repatriated to China. Since the closing of Panda Trek, the exhibit has been repurposed to display other Chinese animals.

2019: Featured in West With Giraffes

In 2019, The quarantine station, the giraffes, the highway, the zoo and Benchley featured prominently in the 2019 novel, West With Giraffes.

April 9, 2020: Birth of Akobi

On April 9, 2020, Mabel gave birth to Akobi, a male calf. His birth marked the first pygmy hippo born at the zoo in nearly thirty years.

October 2020: Gorillas Damage Enclosure

In October 2020, two gorillas charged at the glass of their enclosure, causing damage to the outer pane.

2020: Animal Species Reduced

Between 2000 and 2020, the total number of animal species in the collection was reduced from around 860 to approximately 650.

July 2022: Reptile House Animals

As of July 2022, the reptile house featured animals such as Mertens' water monitors, Ethiopian mountain adders, flower snakes, Mangshan pit vipers, and king cobras, among many other reptile species.

July 2022: Hummingbird Aviary

As of July 2022, the small aviary housed Anna's, Costa's, and Amazilia hummingbirds, along with South American birds such as bananaquits, crested quail-doves, golden-collared manakins, and tanagers.

2022: Wildlife Explorers Basecamp Opening

In 2022, the Wildlife Explorers Basecamp opened on the site of the former Children's Zoo, featuring interactive play areas, sculptures, and zones representing desert, woodland, marsh, and rainforest ecosystems.

January 29, 2023: Adira the Red Panda Escapes

On January 29, 2023, Adira, a 2-year-old female red panda, escaped her enclosure in Panda Canyon for 6 hours. She was easily led back.

June 9, 2023: First baby red panda since 2006

On June 9, 2023, Adira and Lucas welcomed their first little cub on June 9, 2023, the first baby red panda since 2006 for the San Diego Zoo.

November 2023: Panda Conservation Cooperation Hint

In November 2023, China's President Xi Jinping suggested sending giant pandas back to the San Diego Zoo as a "gesture that China is ready to continue cooperation with the U.S. on panda conservation."