Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Nurturing Wildlife and Enriching the Human Experience
Overview
The City of Los Angeles owns the Zoo, its land and facilities, and the animals. Animal care, grounds maintenance, construction, education, public information, and administrative staff are City employees. The Mayor of the City of Los Angeles is Antonio R. Villaraigosa who began his first term on July 1, 2005. Located within the 4th City Council District, the Zoo is represented by Councilman Tom LaBonge. Since June, 2003, John Lewis has served as General Manager and Zoo Director. Mr. Lewis served as director of the John Ball Zoological Garden in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from 1986 until his appointment to the Los Angeles Zoo. Lewis has also served as president of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Board of Directors from 2001 to 2002.
The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) was created in 1963 as a private, nonprofit, fundraising organization to support the new Zoo. Today, GLAZA provides support through fundraising, membership, organizing special events and travel programs, producing award-winning publications, coordinating one of the largest zoo volunteer programs in the country, administering the contract for visitor services concessions within the Zoo, and supporting community relations, and public relations. GLAZA President Connie Morgan was appointed by the Board of Trustees in October 2002.
Fact Sheet
The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens opened on November 28, 1966. The Zoo is home to more than 1,100 mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles representing more than 250 different species of which 29 are endangered. In addition, the Zoo's botanical collection comprises several planted gardens and over 800 different plant species with over 7,400 individual plants. The Zoo receives over 1.5 million visitors per year and is owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles. The daily management of the Zoo is overseen by Zoo Director John R. Lewis. The Zoo is credited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
Size: 133 acres
Location: 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA. 90027 - Griffith Park at the intersection of the Golden State (5) and Ventura (134) freeways
Highlights
The LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles) is the newest exhibit to open at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens. The facility encompasses several visually stunning areas that include habitats for various unique and endangered species. The LAIR is one of the few reptile and amphibian-focused facilities to open within the past decade in a North American zoo. Over 60 species of amphibians, invertebrates, and reptiles are represented in this assortment of living jewels. Each habitat is beautifully themed with hand-painted murals of damp and misty forests, rainforest canopies, red rock formations, mountain ranges and vistas, and dry arid deserts to exemplify the natural environments of the many diverse species.
Elephants of Asia habitat includes features dedicated to the health and welfare of the elephants such as bathing pools, sandy hills, varied topography, enrichment opportunities, and a state of the art barn that is capable of caring for elephants of all ages. Elephants of Asia focuses on the rich connection between elephants and the cultures of Thailand, India, China, and Cambodia. The exhibit familiarizes guests with the challenges Asian elephants face in the wild, including their shrinking natural habitat, and gives visitors the opportunity to directly contribute to conservation programs that support elephants in their native countries.
Campo Gorilla Reserve is a new habitat that is home to seven western lowland gorillas. Zoo visitors walk along a forested pathway for views of two separate troops of gorillas, a family and a bachelor group, living among waterfalls and lush plants. Glassed viewing areas and planted moats are all that separates Zoo guests from the largest primate in the world.
Sea Life Cliffs is part of the new front entry complex. This replica of California's rocky coast is home to a group of harbor seals. The habitat features two deep saltwater pools, rocky coves, above and below water viewing locations and a seating area for visitors to observe the seals.
Australia is home to the Zoo's koalas. These marsupials (not bears) are displayed in the Australia section of the L.A. Zoo. The Zoo is fortunate in being one of only a handful that can provide an abundance of the appropriate eucalyptus tree species needed to feed the koalas. The koalas share two separate habitats with kangaroos, wallabies and echidnas.
Chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains is lauded by world-renown primatologist Jane Goodall as one of the finest zoo habitats. This one-acre habitat is home to one of the largest troops of chimpanzees in the United States. It is designed to resemble the native environment of Tanzania's Mahale Mountains in Africa and is unique in size and scope complete with mountainous rock formations, waterfalls and streams, palm trees and soft green grass. The facility also features a chimpanzee penthouse with heated bedrooms for the apes and an outdoor playground that has a jungle gym.
Red Ape Rain Forest is a multi-level tropical habitat where visitors can walk among orangutans and be immersed in a Southeast Asian rain forest of 20-foot-tall bamboo, fruit, and ficus trees. The main viewing area is a large platform that allows Zoo guests to view these arboreal apes as they climb to canopy level.
Dragons of Komodo is home to a pair of Komodo dragons, the world's largest lizard. The habitat design depicts the native environment on islands off the coast of Indonesia.
Winnick Family Children's Zoo gives kids the opportunity to explore a cave, a desert trail or watch for prairie
dogs through specially designed pop-up bubbles.
Unique Animals: Sumatran tiger, Visayan warty pigs, yellow footed rock wallaby, Cape griffon vulture, Chacoan peccary, snow leopard, mandrill, okapi, mountain tapir, Coquerel's sifaka and one of the largest flocks of flamingos in any zoo in the world. Although not on display, the Zoo is also heavily involved with the conservation of California condors.
Mission Statement
To serve the community, the Los Angeles Zoo will create an environment for recreation and discovery; inspire an appreciation of wildlife through exhibitry and education; ensure the highest level of animal welfare; and support programs that preserve biodiversity and conserve natural habitat.
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