Brandywine Zoo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Brandywine Zoo

Brandywine Zoo Logo
Date opened	1905
Location	1001 North Park Drive, Brandywine Park, Wilmington, Delaware, United States 19802
Land area	4.7 acres (1.9 ha)
Coordinates	39°45′20″N 75°32′55″W / 39.7555°N 75.5487°W / 39.7555; -75.5487
No. of animals	90
No. of species	53
Memberships	AZA

The Brandywine Zoo is a fun, small zoo that opened in 1905. It's located in Brandywine Park in Wilmington, Delaware, right by the Brandywine River. The zoo is managed by the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation and gets help from the Delaware Zoological Society. It's usually open every day from 10 AM to 4 PM, depending on the weather. The Brandywine Zoo has been a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 1981.

Discovering the Zoo's History

The story of the Brandywine Zoo began in 1883. The Delaware State Legislature created the Wilmington Board of Park Commissioners. These ten people worked to plan and build parks for Wilmington. Their hard work led to Brandywine, Rockford, and Canby parks.

The commissioners hired Frederick Law Olmsted, a famous landscape architect. He helped them find the best spots for these new parks. He suggested buying land along both sides of the Brandywine River.

In 1904, Dr. James H. Morgan suggested starting a zoo in Wilmington. He offered to donate some animals if the city would build their homes. The first animals included ducks, geese, rabbits, a sea turtle, and a sea gull. In 1905, the Wilmington Zoo officially opened.

Zoo Animals Through the Years

Many animals have lived at the zoo over time. Between 1921 and 1928, the zoo received many donations. These included elk, buffalo, eagles, monkeys, goats, and black bears. Alligators, raccoons, and various birds also joined the zoo family.

In 1928, new bear cages were built. You can still see them today near the Administration Building. An old building, once a comfort station, became a monkey house. It held different types of monkeys like mangabeys and macaques.

Building the Children's Zoo

A big change happened in 1950 when the zoo decided to build a children's zoo. This area was designed with a storybook theme. It featured aquariums, small houses, and a bird sanctuary. Funds were raised to make this dream come true.

Construction began in 1952. The Wilmington Lions Club helped a lot with fundraising. The children's zoo had eleven small buildings. Each one was based on a different Mother Goose character. These brightly painted exhibits housed farm animals. Farmers in the area donated these animals each spring. This special area was located where the capybara and otters live now. In its first year, 46,000 people visited the Children's Zoo. This themed section stayed popular until the late 1970s.

New Beginnings and Growth

By 1963, the main zoo needed repairs and had to close. Only the Children's Zoo remained open. In 1971, New Castle County took over the zoo. They hired Hans Rosenberg as the new zoo supervisor. He brought in more animals, but the Monkey House stayed closed to visitors.

In 1979, Tom Skeldon became the new supervisor. He helped create the Delaware Zoological Society. During his time, the Administration Building was built. A new tiger exhibit was also constructed where an old duck pond used to be.

Nancy Falasco became the zoo director in 1981. She had worked at the zoo since 1978. She led the Brandywine Zoo for almost 37 years, retiring in 2013. Under her leadership, a new plan was made for the zoo. The old Children's Zoo buildings were removed. New exhibits were built with a theme of North and South American and Temperate Asian animals. Improvements continued with new exhibits for river otters, a new animal hospital, and a bigger tiger area. The zoo also got a new entrance and restrooms.

In 2005, the Brandywine Zoo celebrated its 100th birthday. Many people from the community came to celebrate. They shared their love for the animals and the zoo's role in teaching about animal survival and protecting nature.

The Zoo Today

Today, the Brandywine Zoo covers about 4.7 acres (1.9 ha) of land. It is located along the Brandywine River. The zoo is home to animals from the Americas, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.

Many volunteers and guides help the zoo run smoothly. Each year, about 50 to 70 community volunteers assist. They help with education, animal care, and maintenance. They also serve as guides and help with research programs.

New animals have joined the zoo family recently. Two female bald eagles, injured in the wild, arrived in 2014. The zoo also welcomed red pandas for the first time in the summer of 2014.

The Brandywine Zoo is part of the Delaware State Parks system. The Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation manages it. The Delaware Zoological Society also provides important support. On average, about 60,000 people visit the zoo each year.

Delaware Zoological Society

The Delaware Zoological Society is a non-profit group. It supports the zoo's mission. When you become a member of the Brandywine Zoo, you also become a member of this society. Their contributions help fund conservation education programs. They also support the zoo's overall goals. Many local people volunteer for the society. Some even serve on its board of directors. These leaders work closely with the zoo staff. They volunteer their time and knowledge to help the zoo.

Amazing Animals at the Zoo

The Brandywine Zoo is home to many different species of animals. You can see mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. They even have the world's largest rodent, the capybara!

In 2011, the zoo welcomed an Amur tiger named Zhanna. She came from the St. Louis Zoo. In 2017, Zhanna moved to the Bronx Zoo. This move was part of the AZA's Species Survival Plan. This plan helps manage animal populations in zoos.

The zoo also has Andean condors, bobcats, servals, and red pandas. You can see bald eagles and more. Some tropical animals are not on exhibit during the winter months.

Helping Animals: Conservation Efforts

The Brandywine Zoo works on many projects to help protect nature. They help both in Delaware and around the world. One important project is the Delaware Kestrel Partnership. This project started in 2014. It studies endangered American kestrel populations in Delaware. The zoo works with many partners on this project.

The zoo also studies local wildlife through its Urban Wildlife Monitoring Program. This program works with the Lincoln Park Zoo's Urban Wildlife Institute.

The zoo supports other conservation efforts too. These projects research and protect animals and their homes. Examples include golden lion tamarins, Andean condors, and African vultures. They also work with local groups to help injured wildlife.