Hogle Zoo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Utah's Hogle Zoo

Date opened	August 1, 1931; 93 years ago (1931-08-01)
Location	Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Land area	42 acres (17 ha)
Coordinates	40°44′59″N 111°48′50″W / 40.7498°N 111.814°W / 40.7498; -111.814
No. of animals	800
No. of species	249
Annual visitors	1+ million
Memberships	AZA, WAZA
Major exhibits	Asian Highlands Rocky Shores African Savanna Wild Utah

Utah's Hogle Zoo is a fun place to visit in Salt Lake City, Utah. It's located right at the start of Emigration Canyon. The zoo covers 42 acres and is home to over 800 animals from 250 different species!

Hogle Zoo is a special kind of zoo. It is approved by two big groups: the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). This means the zoo follows high standards for animal care, education, and how they welcome visitors. The zoo is a non-profit organization. It gets support from local taxes and donations.

History of Hogle Zoo

The zoo first opened in 1916 in Salt Lake City's Liberty Park. In 1931, it moved to its current spot at the mouth of Emigration Canyon. This land was given to the zoo by Mr. and Mrs. James A. Hogle.

One of the zoo's first big animals was an elephant named Princess Alice. She was bought from a traveling circus in 1916. Princess Alice even gave birth to the first elephant born in Utah, named Prince Utah. Sadly, he lived for only eleven months. Today, the zoo has many different birds, mammals, and reptiles from all over the world.

Zoo Certifications and Animal Care

Hogle Zoo is certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Only about 10% of zoos in the United States have this special certification. To be AZA certified, zoos must meet strict rules for animal care, education, and visitor services. The AZA also sets rules for how animal exhibits should be designed.

The AZA helps manage animal collections through groups called Taxon Advisory Groups. Animals are usually only moved between other AZA-certified zoos. They can also be moved through programs with European certified zoos. Every four years, AZA members visit Hogle Zoo to make sure it's still meeting their high standards. Hogle Zoo is certified until September 2025.

Many animals at Hogle Zoo are part of a Species Survival Plan (SSP). This plan is run by the AZA. It helps make sure that animals in zoos are genetically diverse. This means they have a healthy mix of genes. The SSP suggests which animals should breed together. This helps keep captive animal populations healthy. Most SSPs focus on species that are threatened or at risk of extinction. Some animals at the zoo are also rescues from the wild.

Utah's Hogle Zoo is also certified by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). This group does similar work to the AZA but on a worldwide scale. WAZA focuses on wildlife conservation and the best ways to care for animals globally.

Animal Exhibits

Small Animal Building

The Small Animal Building opened in 1971. It is the zoo's oldest exhibit. This building is special because it focuses on small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. Instead of grouping animals by type, this exhibit shows animals based on their natural homes, called biomes.

The Small Animal Building has four main areas. These are the Tropics Zone, Temperate Zone, Desert Zone, and Rainforest Atrium. Outside the building, there are also habitats for reptiles in warm weather and for red foxes. The zoo plans to update this building in the future.

Temperate Zone Animals

Temperate zones are found all over the world. These areas have a wide range of temperatures and clear seasons. Many humans live in temperate zones.

The Temperate Zone at Hogle Zoo features animals from these habitats. You can see reptiles like the Rhinoceros iguana and Puerto Rican boa. It's also home to two Siamese crocodiles. This species is very rare and is critically endangered. Only a few other zoos have them. Mammals in this zone include rock hyraxes and black-footed cats.

Desert Zone Animals

The Desert Zone shows animals from desert areas. These places have very hot days and cold nights. Animals here have special ways to survive.

This zone has an open-air aviary that looks like the Sonoran Desert. You can see white-winged doves, northern cardinals, and desert tortoises. Other reptiles include Kenyan sand boas and Gila monsters. Amphibians like the Colorado River toad are also here. Some Utah native species like the yellow-bellied marmot and turkey vulture are also featured.

Mammals like Sand cats have big ears to help them cool down. Nine-banded armadillos use their strong claws to dig for food.

Tropics Zone Animals

The tropics are areas around the Earth's equator. They get a lot of sunlight and rain. Habitats here include tropical rainforests.

The Tropics Zone has mammals from the Amazon River Basin. These include white-eared titi monkeys, Linne's two-toed sloths, and kinkajous. You can also see reptiles from the islands of Oceania, like the green tree python and prehensile-tailed skink.

Rainforest Atrium Birds

The Rainforest Atrium is a special area where birds fly freely. It has a glass dome that lets in natural light. There are also fake rocks, a waterfall, and real plants to make it feel like a real rainforest.

Birds flying here include the roseate spoonbill and the critically endangered Edward's pheasant. This atrium is also where the zoo's Aldabra tortoises, radiated tortoises, and leopard tortoises stay in the winter.

Great Apes Exhibit

The Great Apes exhibit opened in 1983. It cost over $1 million to build. It has four indoor areas for the apes during cold Utah winters. There are also two outdoor yards.

This exhibit is home to a family group of western lowland gorillas. It also has two groups of Bornean orangutans.

Western Lowland Gorillas

The zoo has a family of western lowland gorillas. Husani, a male, arrived in 2010. Later, two females, Jo Ray K and her daughter Jabari, joined him from the Denver Zoo. Their goal was to start a family group with Husani.

The Species Survival Plan carefully watches gorilla breeding in zoos. In 2019, Husani and Jabari were approved to breed. On July 6, 2020, Jabari gave birth to Georgia. She was the second gorilla born at the zoo.

In 2022, two more females, Mary and her daughter Pele, moved to Utah. They came from Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Now, all five gorillas live together.

Bornean Orangutans and Their Stories

Next to the gorillas are the Bornean orangutan habitats. The zoo has a breeding pair, Mia and Kawan. It also has two orphaned siblings, Acara and Tuah.

Acara was born on Mother's Day in 2005. She was a big baby, and her mother, Eve, had a long labor. Doctors from the University of Utah Hospital helped deliver Acara by C-section. Acara needed special care and was hand-raised by zoo staff and volunteers. It took over nine months for her to be with her mom full-time.

Elija, also called Eli, came to the zoo in 2004 to be Eve's mate. He was Acara's father. Eli became famous for picking the Super Bowl winner for seven years in a row! Sadly, Eli was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011. He was the first male orangutan to have this type of cancer. Eli passed away on September 6, 2014.

Eve was pregnant when Eli died. She gave birth to Tuah, a male, on November 4, 2014. Eve also needed a C-section. Like his sister, Tuah was hand-raised. Sadly, Eve died three and a half weeks later.

While Tuah was growing, keepers trained his older sister Acara to be his surrogate mother. This was a new idea, as an older sibling had never been a surrogate before. Acara learned to be gentle using a stuffed animal. Tuah met Acara when he was three months old. In March 2015, they started living together. Tuah made his public debut on April 11, 2015.

Acara and Tuah have lived together ever since. Acara has been a successful surrogate mother. In 2016, a male orangutan named Mia joined the zoo from the Greenville Zoo. In 2021, a female named Kawan arrived from the Henry Vilas Zoo to be Mia's mate. Mia and Kawan currently live separately from Acara and Tuah.

Primate Forest Exhibit

The A. LaMar Farnsworth Primate Forest opened in June 1997. It cost $400,000 to build. This exhibit replaced an older "Monkey Island" area.

Primate Forest has lush, natural areas for several primate species. These include black howler monkeys, eastern black-and-white colobus monkeys, and Colombian spider monkeys. Each exhibit is designed for the specific species. The colobus monkey exhibit is very large, with tall trees for them to jump from. All exhibits also have water features.

Rhino Exhibit

This habitat was first built for elephants. In 2003, Salt Lake County voters approved $10.2 million for new elephant and feline exhibits. The $5.5 million Elephant Encounter opened in June 2005. It was the zoo's biggest animal exhibit in 25 years.

The new home had three female African bush elephants: Hi-Dari, Christie, and Misha. It also housed two southern white rhinoceroses, Princess and George. The exhibit was praised for its improvements.

Elephant Encounter had two natural outdoor areas. One was a large yard inspired by the Serengeti, with a deep swimming channel. A second "working yard" allowed guests to see how zookeepers trained and cared for the elephants. This area had heaters for winter. Guests could view this habitat from the African Lodge, an open-air structure. A replica of a kopje (rocky hill) allowed guests to see the rhinos up close.

In 2006, scientists tried to help female elephant Christie get pregnant using artificial insemination. On the third try, Christie became pregnant. After 22 months, she gave birth to a healthy female calf on August 10, 2009. The calf was named Zuri, which means "beautiful" in Swahili.

Changes to the Elephant Program

In May 2023, Hogle Zoo announced they would no longer have elephants. After over 100 years of caring for elephants, the zoo decided it was best for Christie and Zuri to move. They were relocated in the fall of 2023 to another certified zoo. This move gives them a better chance to live in a more natural social group and to breed.

Doug Lund, the zoo's CEO, said the decision was made to give Christie and Zuri the best chance to have a calf in a multi-generational herd. They now live at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium in Missouri.

The rhino exhibit now houses a group of Hartmann's mountain zebras and Przewalski's horses. Princess and George, the two rhinos, still live there.

Asian Highlands Exhibit

Soon after the Elephant Encounter opened in 2005, construction began on Asian Highlands. This exhibit changed old concrete cages into lush outdoor habitats for cats from central Asia. The zoo's Amur tiger and snow leopard moved to new homes. New animals like an Amur leopard, another Amur tiger, and Siberian lynx also joined the zoo. The exhibit opened on June 29, 2006.

Asian Highlands looks like a village in the Himalayas. It has five hillside exhibits where the cats can rotate. A large catwalk allows some cats to walk over guests. The central area has a cafe and an indoor viewing area. Realistic rock work, plants, and water features make the exhibit feel natural.

In May 2015, four male Turkmenian markhor from the Bronx Zoo moved into rocky habitats above Asian Highlands. This added more mountain-dwelling Asian species to the exhibit.

Asian Highlands and Species Survival

Hogle Zoo has been very successful in breeding animals in Asian Highlands as part of the Species Survival Plans. The first babies born here were in 2009.

Three male Amur tiger cubs were born on June 2, 2009. Their names were Bronevik, Kiril, and Vikenti. They have since moved to other zoos to help with the breeding program. Kiril even moved to Japan.

The zoo's former snow leopard pair, Nema and Himesh, had two male cubs. Himal was born on May 7, 2009. Chimeegui was born on April 16, 2012, and still lives at the zoo.

Two litters of Pallas cats were born in 2017 and 2018. Parents Haru and Patenka had a total of nine kittens.

Hogle Zoo's biggest success might be with Amur leopards. This species is one of the most endangered big cats in the world. There are only about 300 left in the wild. About 200 live in zoos. To help increase their numbers, a female named Zeya came from England in 2016 to breed with the zoo's male, Dmitri. Since 2017, they have had four litters and seven cubs. This includes Jordan and Chelsea, born on December 25, 2021. These SSP programs are very important for species close to extinction.

Red Pandas Return

Red pandas returned to Hogle Zoo on May 2, 2018. Their new home is the Janet Quinney Lawson Red Panda Exhibit. Red pandas had been away from the zoo since 2010. This new exhibit was built at the entrance of Asian Highlands.

On June 23, 2023, the zoo's female red panda, Priya, gave birth to a cub. Priya arrived in June 2022 to breed with the male, Mow Mow. This was the first red panda birth in the zoo's history!

Rocky Shores Exhibit

In 2007, the zoo planned a new Arctic-themed exhibit. This plan grew into Rocky Shores, which shows animals from the western shores of North America. This includes areas from Oregon to Alaska.

Rocky Shores was the zoo's largest and most expensive exhibit. It cost $18 million. Construction started in 2010 and it opened on June 1, 2012.

At Rocky Shores, you can see bald eagles and North American river otters at the Otter Falls habitat. The Tidewater Cove offers underwater views of California sea lions, harbor seals, and polar bears. A tower that looks like a salmon cannery overlooks Bear Meadows, home to the zoo's grizzly bears. The exhibit uses many pumps to filter its 350,000 gallons of water.

Polar Bears at Rocky Shores

On May 1, 2012, Rizzo, a female polar bear, arrived from the Cincinnati Zoo. She was the first polar bear at Hogle Zoo since 2003. Rizzo was known for swimming up to the glass and back-diving. Sadly, Rizzo passed away on April 9, 2017, at 19 years old, due to kidney problems.

On September 16, 2017, Nora, a female polar bear, came from the Oregon Zoo. Nora became famous as a cub because her mother abandoned her. She was hand-raised by keepers. Nora was sent to Oregon to learn natural bear behaviors. When the Oregon Zoo needed to improve its polar bear exhibit, Nora moved to Hogle Zoo.

Hope, another female polar bear, arrived from the Toledo Zoo on September 20, 2017. Nora and Hope became good friends. They often played together. In February 2019, Nora broke her front leg. A team of specialists performed surgery, and Nora fully recovered. In 2021, Hope moved to the Brookfield Zoo for breeding. Nora returned to the Oregon Zoo.

On February 26, 2021, Nikita, a male polar bear, came to Hogle Zoo from the North Carolina Zoo. He is 10.5 feet tall! His mate, Neva, arrived on November 16, 2021, from the Maryland Zoo. The zoo hopes they will have cubs soon.

Rescued Animals

Many animals at Rocky Shores were rescued from the wild. They now have permanent homes at Hogle Zoo. In July 2010, three grizzly bear cubs were orphaned. Their mother had to be put down after an incident. The cubs, Dolly, Lou Lou, and Koda, were too young to survive alone. They found a home at Rocky Shores in 2012. Most grizzly bears in certified zoos are rescues. They help teach guests about safely interacting with wildlife.

Maverick, a male California sea lion, was also rescued. He was found abandoned as a baby. Because of his age and injuries, he couldn't go back to the wild. Hogle Zoo has been his home since May 5, 2012.

Female bald eagle Marie and male Nemo were found injured in Alaska. Their injuries meant they couldn't fly. Nemo arrived in 2016, and Marie joined him later. Rocky Shores has been a safe place for ten rescued animals since it opened in 2012.

African Savanna Exhibit

In 2012, Hogle Zoo started building a large 4.5-acre area for animals from East Africa's grasslands. This project changed the center of the zoo. It became the zoo's first mixed-species habitat. This means several species live together, just like in the wild. The $16 million African Savanna opened in two parts.

Lion Hill opened in May 2014. The Grasslands officially opened on June 2, 2014. The exhibit has Twigga Terrace, a large platform overlooking the habitat. Here, guests can feed giraffes daily in the summer. On June 6, 2019, the James E. Hogle Jr. Meerkat Manor opened. This added meerkats and crested porcupines to the African Savanna. The exhibit offers amazing views of the Rocky Mountains.

Lion Hill

African lions had been away from Hogle Zoo for ten years before Lion Hill opened. Their new habitat is very modern.

Lion Hill has two grottos with fresh water and a grassy hill with a large rock for the lions to rest on. Big glass walls let guests get close to the lions. Heated rocks keep the lions warm in winter. The exhibit overlooks the Grasslands, giving the lions interesting things to watch. There's also a training wall where guests can see keepers work with the lions.

Lion Hill started with four lions: brothers Vulcan and Baron, and sisters Seyla and Nobu. These lions were brought together by the African Lion Species Survival Plan. This plan helps keep the lion population in North American zoos healthy. In 2016, Nobu gave birth to three cubs: males Brutus and Titus, and female Calliope. This was only the third time lion cubs were born at the zoo. Brutus and Titus moved to the Brookfield Zoo in 2020, as male cubs often leave their pride after two years.

The Grasslands

The Grasslands is the main part of the African Savanna. It has three yards for hoofed animals and buildings for them to stay overnight. When it opened in 2014, different birds and hoofed animals from eastern and southern Africa lived together. These included giraffes, Hartmann's mountain zebras, common ostriches, and helmeted guineafowls.

The zoo's giraffe herd moved from their old yards to the bigger Grasslands habitat. In winter, they stay in a heated area near the train station. This lets guests still see them in colder months. Since the African Savanna opened, three female giraffe calves have been born. The current herd includes females Stephanie, Minka, Reyna, and male Ja-Raffe.

Hogle Zoo has had great success with its Hartmann's mountain zebra herd. This species lives in the mountains of southwestern Africa. The herd has adapted well to Utah's climate. Seven calves have been born at the zoo through the Hartmann's Mountain Zebra Species Survival Plan. These births are important because the species is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN.

Meerkat Manor

This exhibit was added to the African Savanna in 2019. It was named after James E. Hogle Jr., who was on the zoo's board for over forty years. Meerkats were his favorite animals.

Meerkat Manor has new outdoor and indoor spaces for the zoo's meerkats. They moved from the Small Animal Building. They share their space with two crested porcupines.

Wild Utah Exhibit

The Aline W. Skaggs Wild Utah exhibit will be the zoo's newest big project since 2014. It will transform three acres of the zoo's east side. This area was previously only seen from the train.

The exhibit will feature Utah native species. It aims to teach visitors about the state's amazing wildlife. Animals returning to the zoo include mountain lions, desert bighorn sheep, and wild burros. The exhibit will also have new, larger homes for current native animals. These include a rescued bobcat named Loki, North American porcupine Barton, desert tortoises, burrowing owls, and common chuckwallas. New animals like gray foxes and raccoons will rotate through exhibits. These exhibits are connected by a chute over the guest path.

The guest path will include a boardwalk around Emigration Creek, a historic Utah waterway. A nature trail will lead to the water, where guests can learn about Utah's riparian habitats. Other features include an education "campground" and a pollinator garden. Hands-on activities will include a burrow brushing station and an overlook tower.

The Wild Utah exhibit is expected to cost $22 million. Construction began in late 2022, and it is expected to open in 2024.

Norma W. Matheson Education Animal Center

The new Wild Utah exhibit will include a brand-new facility for the zoo's animal ambassadors. This building will house over 100 animals. It will focus on smaller Utah native species. These include northern flying squirrels, yellow-bellied marmots, and various snakes.

The facility will also have the Utah Amphibian Conservation Room. This will be the new home for the zoo's Boreal Toad Conservation Center. This project works to protect boreal toads. Their population has decreased due to habitat loss and a fungal disease. The center currently has 20 toads collected from Utah. They are bred to produce disease-free offspring. These offspring are then released back into the wild.

The Education Animal Center will support Hogle Zoo's iSEE program. This program brings animal ambassadors to second-grade children across Utah. It teaches about 50,000 students yearly about their native Utah wildlife.

Zoofari Express Train Ride

Hogle Zoo's famous train ride closed on September 26, 2022. This was to prepare for a new, larger track that will go around the Wild Utah exhibit. From the new train, guests will see bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and wild burros. They will also see the zoo's African Savanna species. The existing Moffat Tunnel, a guest favorite, will be part of the new track.

Before it closed, the Zoofari Express had been running for about 53 years. It gave rides to between 12 and 15 million guests.

Conservation Education Focus

The Wild Utah exhibit will help the zoo with several conservation programs. It will provide space for orphaned mountain lions and bobcats that cannot be released into the wild. The exhibit will also allow the zoo to join the Desert Bighorn Sheep Species Survival Plan. This is a nationwide effort to increase the genetic diversity of this threatened species. The exhibit's wild burros will be animals collected by the Utah Department of Natural Resources. These feral animals can cause problems in native ecosystems.

Zoo Attractions

Oasis Plaza

Oasis Plaza is a central area in the zoo. Four paths lead from here to all parts of the zoo. The zoo's Conservation Carousel is a popular attraction in the plaza. The Oasis Cafe here serves food like pizza, sandwiches, and ice cream.

The World of Wildlife Amphitheater is also near the plaza. It now hosts the zoo's Canine Champions for Conservation program.

Creekside

Creekside opened in 2016. It offers fun learning activities for children. Animal ambassador programs happen at the Discovery Theater. These programs feature insects, reptiles, mammals, and birds. Creekside also has a playground and a boardwalk overlooking Emigration Creek.

Notable Animals from Hogle Zoo's Past

The zoo has had many famous animals since it opened in 1911.

Princess Alice

Princess Alice, an Asian elephant, was the zoo's most famous animal in the early 1900s. She arrived in 1916 when the zoo was in Liberty Park. Schoolchildren helped raise money to buy her from a circus. She was very popular. In 1917, a building was built just for her.

On April 29, 1918, Princess Alice gave birth to Prince Utah. He was the first elephant born in Utah. Sadly, he died a year later on March 14, from injuries after his mother rolled over him.

Princess Alice sometimes broke out of her enclosure. This led the zoo to move to its current location in 1931. A new, safer elephant building was built for her. In 1932, a carving of Princess Alice was put on display. In 1947, she went on a rampage but calmly returned to her exhibit. Princess Alice was humanely euthanized in 1953 at about 69 years old. She was a very important part of the zoo's history.

Shasta the Liger

Shasta, born on May 6, 1948, was another very famous animal. She was the first liger (a mix of a lion and a tiger) born in America. Her mother was a tiger named Daisey, and her father was a lion named Huey. They had been raised together. Shasta weighed just over a pound at birth. Her mother rejected her, so she was hand-raised.

Shasta was a huge attraction and helped the zoo succeed in the mid-1900s. The zoo held birthday parties for her every year. After she passed away in 1972, her body was preserved. You can now see her at the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum at Brigham Young University. At 24 years old, Shasta holds the record for the longest-lived liger ever.

Gorgeous the Gorilla

Gorgeous, a female western lowland gorilla, was very popular. She came to Hogle Zoo in 1985. Gorgeous was caught in the wild in 1949 as a baby. She loved to interact with guests. However, Gorgeous lived alone because she didn't get along with other gorillas. So, she never had babies.

In 1990, Gorgeous became world-famous. She was the first gorilla to have cataract surgery. A doctor from the University of Utah Medical School performed the surgery. Gorgeous passed away in 1999 at age 50. She was the oldest living female gorilla at the time. A bronze statue of her can still be seen near the ape exhibits.

Dari the Elephant

Dari lived to be the oldest African elephant in the world. She reached the age of 55. Dari was loved by both guests and staff. She was known for being very caring towards the other elephants in her group.

Daphne the Giraffe

Daphne was the oldest living giraffe in the world. She came to Hogle Zoo in 1985. Daphne had nine calves at the zoo. She passed away at 31 years old, which is twice the average lifespan for giraffes.

Animal Escapes and Safety

Sometimes, animals have escaped their enclosures at the zoo.

• In 1997, Tino, a 450-pound male western lowland gorilla, attacked a zookeeper. The gorilla got into a room because a door was left open. The zookeeper had some bite wounds but returned to work soon after.
• In 1999, two zookeepers were attacked by three chimpanzees. A person had failed to close a gate to their indoor area. Two chimpanzees were shot, and one was moved to another zoo. Both zookeepers were seriously injured.
• In 2006, Maddi, an eight-year-old female grey wolf, jumped over an eight-foot fence. She was out for about an hour until zoo staff safely brought her back. No one was hurt.
• In 2011, four spider monkeys escaped their outdoor enclosure. They didn't go far and were safely returned by zookeepers.
• In 2016, Zeya, a four-year-old Amur leopard, climbed through a small opening. The sixty-pound cat rested on a beam outside her enclosure and fell asleep. Zeya was tranquilized and moved to a safe area.

Conservation Efforts

Hogle Zoo works hard to protect the environment. They have programs for reducing, reusing, and recycling. They also save water and use earth-friendly products. In 2005, the zoo won an award for its recycling efforts.

After an oil spill in Red Butte Creek in 2010, many birds were covered in oil. About 150 to 200 birds, mostly Canada geese, were brought to Hogle Zoo to be cleaned.

The Big Six Program is the zoo's largest conservation program. It works with six organizations that help six endangered species. These "Big Six" animals are the African lion, Bornean orangutan, polar bear, African elephant, radiated tortoise, and boreal toad.

Wildlife Reintroductions

Hogle Zoo has helped bring animals back to the wild.

• In the 1960s, the bald eagle population was shrinking. Hogle Zoo's bald eagles, Sam and Betsy, had chicks in 1989, 1990, and 1991. These chicks were released into the wild to help increase the population. Thanks to efforts like these, the bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list in 2007.
• The golden lion tamarin, a small monkey, has lost most of its home in Brazil. In 1972, only 400-500 were left. From 1984 to 2001, many zoos worked to reintroduce them. In 1993, Hogle Zoo sent a male tamarin named Bagel to Brazil. He was released into the wild in 1994.
• In 1991, twin female black-and-white ruffed lemurs were born at Hogle Zoo. This species is critically endangered from Madagascar. In 1998, after being prepared for the wild, the twins, Dawn and Jupiter, were flown to a reserve in Madagascar. They were released to help boost the species' numbers.
• The boreal toad is an endangered toad found in the western United States. Hogle Zoo opened its Boreal Toad Conservation Center in 2015. They collect eggs from the wild, raise them, and breed them. In August 2021, the zoo released 21 boreal toads bred at the center back into Utah.

Closed Exhibits from the Past

West End Exhibits

In 2014, the zoo's northwest end became Rocky Shores. Before that, it had exhibits like Bear Grotto, Penguin Cove, and the African Savanna. It also housed animals like Chacoan peccarys, mountain lions, red pandas, and llamas.

Cougar Grotto (1957)

In the late 1950s, an exhibit for cougars was built. It had large red cement rocks to look like their natural home. Orphaned cougar brothers were the first residents. Later, snow leopards stayed here while Asian Highlands was being built.

Bear Grotto (1958)

Bear Grotto opened in 1958. It was designed for polar bears and Kodiak bears. It had two large habitats with deep moats and rockwork. The first polar bears were Klondike and Kate.

Chinook, a female polar bear, arrived in 1979. She became a very successful mother. She had ten cubs in total, including twins. Her last cub, Anana, was born in 2000. Chinook was known as a protective and gentle mother. She was humanely euthanized in 2002 due to health problems.

In 2003, Andy, a male polar bear, passed away after swallowing a glove. The zoo did not have polar bears again until Rocky Shores opened in 2012. Later, black bears lived in Bear Grotto before moving to other zoos.

Mountain Habitat (1962)

In 1962, a mountain habitat was built for aoudad, also known as Barbary sheep. It was home to many animals over the years. In 1974, Hogle Zoo received its first two stone sheep. The zoo was the only one in the U.S. to show this type of sheep.

Chacoan peccaries were the last animals in this exhibit before it was taken down in 2010 for Rocky Shores.

African Savanna (1986)

In 1986, famous anthropologist Jane Goodall helped open the zoo's new African Savanna exhibit. She praised the open space for the animals.

This African Savanna covered one acre. It had three areas for African hoofed animals and birds. It looked like an African village. The exhibit was taken down in 2010 when Rocky Shores was built.

The Lower Savanna had African antelope like springbok and Thomson's gazelle. New species like addra gazelle and the critically endangered addax were added. The Upper Savanna was home to plains zebras, and later Grévy's zebras.

Grévy's Zebras Mystery

In 1998, two male Grévy's zebras, Taji and Monty, arrived. This was the first time this endangered species was shown in Utah.

In 2010, Taji was found dead, and Monty had to be humanely euthanized. The cause of their deaths remained a mystery. The zoo later brought in ostriches to this habitat.

Penguin Cove (1996)

Hogle Zoo had a long history of showing and breeding African penguins. The first penguins arrived in 1983. In 1987, the first penguin chicks hatched.

In 1996, the old Sea Lion Pool was updated to become Penguin Cove. This exhibit had a rocky coastline, a nesting beach, and an indoor area. African penguins lived here until 2010. They were then moved to other zoos. Hogle Zoo has not had penguins since.

Red Pandas (2002)

On December 6, 2002, two female red pandas, Sarah and Ethel, debuted in a new exhibit near Penguin Cove. The outdoor exhibit had large trees for climbing and an indoor area for hot weather. Red pandas left the zoo in 2010 but returned in 2018 with a new exhibit in Asian Highlands.

Giraffe Building

The unique two-story Giraffe Building was built in 1969. However, it was not safe for the giraffes. In the early 1990s, two giraffes had to be humanely euthanized after breaking legs on slippery floors. The zoo was told to fix problems like peeling paint. In 2002, a giraffe died after getting his neck stuck in a fence. In 2004, another giraffe was humanely euthanized due to a broken leg.

After the African Savanna opened in 2014, all giraffes moved to a new, modern giraffe house. The old Giraffe Building is now used for maintenance and no longer houses animals.

Feline Building

In 1968, voters approved money for a big project at Hogle Zoo. The Feline Building opened on April 4, 1970. It had five large concrete cages for big cats like Amur tigers, Bengal tigers, African lions, and snow leopards. It also had smaller cages for small cats like ocelots and caracals. Shasta the liger also lived here.

The Feline Building closed in 2005. Its structure was kept and now serves as the indoor holding areas for the Asian Highlands animals.

Hippo Building

In 1973, the zoo announced a new exhibit for hippos. The Hippo Building, or "Hippodrome," opened in 1974. It had indoor and outdoor areas for both hippopotamus and pygmy hippopotamus. It included six pools for the hippos.

On March 28, 1974, the first pygmy hippos, Cleo and Brutus, arrived. They had three calves. Brutus passed away in 1997, and Cleo moved to another zoo in 2001.

On June 9, 1974, a male river hippo named Moe arrived. His mate, Henrietta, arrived a day later. Moe later moved to another zoo in 2005, where he has had three healthy calves.

The Hippo Building also had exhibits for African penguins and crocodiles. It was replaced by the Conservation Carousel in 2008.

Animal Giants Complex

The Animal Giants Complex was built in 1981 for the zoo's fiftieth anniversary. It housed the zoo's elephants and white rhinos. It also had natural outdoor enclosures for ostriches and tortoises. This complex was updated to become Elephant Encounter in 2005.

Central Zone

The Central Zone was once home to the zoo's original elephant house, the Main Building, built in 1931. This building housed most of the zoo's animals at first. Over time, most animals moved to new exhibits. The building was later renovated for an auditorium and indoor exhibits for monkeys.

The Central Zone also had the zoo's Bactrian camel herd. They had a successful breeding program. In 2012, a male camel named Gobi was humanely euthanized due to pain. The other camel, Mabel, moved to another zoo.

Discovery Land

Discovery Land opened in phases starting in 1988. It had a new forest, a duck pond, and a fort for children. It was designed to show North American animals in natural settings like woodlands, wetlands, and deserts. New exhibits were added in 1990 and 1992.

Woodland Edge

Woodland Edge had four habitats for raptors and cats. Species here included Canada lynx, bobcat, and bald eagle. Later, some habitats were made larger for mountain lions and Chacoan peccaries.

Knoll and Burrow

Knoll and Burrow looked like a cave on the American prairie. Outside, visitors could see black-tailed prairie dogs, yellow-bellied marmots, and North American porcupines.

This exhibit also housed rare species. Hogle Zoo was the only place to show the rare Utah prairie dogs. The zoo worked with government groups to help save this endangered species.

The zoo also helped with the black-footed ferret Species Survival Plan. These ferrets were thought to be extinct until a small group was found in 1981. Hogle Zoo housed ferrets that were not breeding or could not be released into the wild.

Inside the cave, there were exhibits for cacomistles, southern flying squirrels, and over 200 Seba's short-tailed bats. Terrariums held blind cave fish and giant hairy scorpions.

Marsh Aviary

The Marsh Aviary had a boardwalk over a pond. In the pond, the zoo kept injured American white pelicans, mute swans, and other North American ducks. Visitors could feed the birds.

Desert Canyon

Desert Canyon was built with large red stone rocks. Visitors followed a path to see exhibits for small carnivores like kit foxes and ocelots. It also had exhibits for animals like Merriam's kangaroo rat and native Utah fish.

Desert Canyon also featured a recreated Anasazi cliff dwelling. This gave views to a small mesa for angora goats and Navajo sheep.

Discovery Land Animals Move

Discovery Land closed in 2012 for the new African Savanna. Many animals moved to other parts of the zoo. The bobcat and bald eagles moved to new exhibits. The cacomistle and bats moved to the Small Animal Building.

Temporary Exhibitions

Tropical Gardens

Tropical Gardens was a large greenhouse built in 1995. It housed several temporary exhibits. It replaced exhibits for otters and pheasants. Its first exhibit was Butterfly World in 1995, featuring hundreds of butterflies.

In 1999, Jack the Komodo dragon debuted here. In 2000, two koalas, Baringa and Bundaleer, were on display. They were so special that eucalyptus leaves were flown in twice a week for them!

Possibly the most popular exhibit was Outback Adventure, which ran from 2002 to 2004. It had about 350 free-flying birds from Oceania. Guests could pay to feed the birds. It also featured blue-tongued skinks and bearded dragons.

In 2007, Ghost of the Bayou featured Antoine, an all-white alligator. He was one of only 18 white alligators found in the wild. The exhibit also had baby American alligators and snakes.

In 2009, Madagascar! opened, showing fossa for the first time in Utah. The final exhibit in Tropical Gardens was Nature's Nightmares in 2010. It featured "scary" animals like king vultures and straw-colored fruit bats.

Tropical Gardens closed permanently in 2011. Many of its animals moved to the Small Animal Building.

Summer Attractions

During summer, Hogle Zoo has hosted special temporary exhibits. These have included animatronic dinosaurs, like Zoorasic Park (2011) and Zoorasic Park 2 (2015).

In 2013, Creatures of Habitat featured 32 Lego sculptures of life-size animals. In 2017, Bugszilla had fourteen animatronic supersized bugs. This exhibit taught guests about the important roles insects play.

In 2019, Washed Ashore displayed fifteen sea-life sculptures made from recycled plastic. This art taught viewers about recycling and plastic pollution.

World of the Wild Art Show

Every year in late winter, the zoo hosts the World of the Wild Art Show. This indoor show features animal-themed art by different artists.

Master Plan for the Zoo's Future

In 1999, the zoo made its first big Master Plan. This plan guided many new developments, including the Main Entrance, Elephant Encounter, Asian Highlands, and Rocky Shores. These projects helped create modern exhibits and improved animal welfare.

In 2014, a new Master Plan was developed to guide the zoo until 2030. However, recent zoo directors have made changes. The Red Panda Exhibit (2018), Meerkat Manor (2019), and the new Wild Utah exhibit (opening 2024) were not part of the 2014 plan.

In May 2023, the zoo announced it is creating a new master plan. This plan will focus on the welfare of gorillas, polar bears, rhinos, and orangutans.

Future Exhibit Ideas

The 2014 Master Plan had ideas for future projects:

• Great Ape and Primate Forest Expansion: This would update the homes for gorillas, orangutans, and smaller primates. The plan hoped to have different species live together, like colobus monkeys with gorillas. It also suggested overhead chutes to connect exhibits, giving animals more choice.
• Diversity of Life and Education Building: This would be a new Small Animal Building. It would be three stories tall. The first two floors would be for animals, and the third for education staff. It might include a rainforest exhibit with free-ranging primates and birds.
• Flex Exhibit Zone: After the current Small Animal Building is taken down, a new building for traveling exhibits would be built. This would be larger than the old Tropical Gardens exhibit.
• Asian Highlands Expansion: This would include small updates to the current Asian Highlands exhibit. It would also build more exhibits above Asian Highlands for Asian goats and other species.

Images for kids

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  Entrance sign.

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  Lion at the zoo.

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  American white pelicans.

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  Grizzly bear.

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  Nyala buck.

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  Amazon parrot.

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  Rhinoceros.

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  Grevy's zebras.

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  Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus).

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  Children's area.

See also

In Spanish: Zoológico de Hogle para niños