Griffith Park Zoo facts for kids
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Zoo circa 1940
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| Date opened | 1912 |
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| Date closed | August 1966 |
| Location | Los Angeles, California |
| Coordinates | 34°08′01″N 118°17′20″W / 34.1337°N 118.2888°W |
The Griffith Park Zoo, also known as the Old Los Angeles Zoo, was a popular place for animals in Los Angeles, California. It opened in 1912 and closed in 1966. Its animals moved to the new Los Angeles Zoo. Today, you can visit the old zoo site in Griffith Park. It's a fun picnic spot with hiking trails, and you can still see the old animal enclosures!
The Zoo's Early Days
The very first zoo in Los Angeles was the Eastlake Zoo, which opened in 1885. The Griffith Park Zoo then opened its doors in 1912. It started quite small, with only 15 animals! This new zoo was built where Griffith J. Griffith once had an ostrich farm.
In the 1920s, a film producer named William Nicholas Selig gave many animals to the zoo. He had tried to create an animal theme park with his studio animals. When that didn't work out, the Griffith Park Zoo became their new home.
Growing and Changing
During the 1930s, the zoo got bigger thanks to workers from the Works Progress Administration. This was a government program that created jobs during a tough economic time. Most of the animal homes were built like caves with strong iron bars. This was a common style for zoos back then.
As Los Angeles grew, many people felt the Griffith Park Zoo was too small and old-fashioned. Even though over 2 million people visited each year, it was seen as "inadequate" and "poorly designed."
A New Zoo Opens
In 1958, the city decided to build a brand new zoo. They approved an $8 million plan for this project. The Griffith Park Zoo closed its doors in August 1966. All its animals were moved to the new Los Angeles Zoo, which opened just two miles away in November 1966.
The old animal enclosures were left behind, but the bars were removed. Today, you can find picnic tables and benches inside some of these old structures. It's a unique place for a picnic!
Seen on Screen
Because of its interesting look and close location to Hollywood, the old zoo has been used in many movies and TV shows. It's a popular spot for filming!
- It appeared in the first episode of the TV show S.W.A.T..
- You can see it in at least two episodes of Starsky & Hutch, called "Pariah" and "Bloodbath."
- The zoo was also in the CHiPs episode "Supercycle."
- It was used in the TV show Aquarius, which is a police drama set after the zoo closed.
- It appeared in two episodes of The New Adventures of Wonder Woman called "Mind Stealers from Outer Space" Parts I and II.
- It was "Zed's hideout" in the movie Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment.
- The zoo was also featured in an episode of the Rush Hour TV series.
- It can be seen in the 2012 independent movie Starlet.
Images for kids
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The ruins of unused cages and animal housing remaining in Griffith Park
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An old animal housing structure
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More structures at the old zoo site
