Bronx Zoo facts for kids

The Bronx Zoo is a famous zoo located in Bronx Park in the Bronx, New York. It's one of the biggest zoos in the United States, covering 265 acres (about 107 hectares) of park land and natural areas. The Bronx River even flows through it! Each year, over 2 million people visit the zoo.

The Bronx Zoo first opened its doors on November 8, 1899. It started with 843 animals in 22 exhibits. The first director was William Temple Hornaday, who led the zoo for 30 years. From the very beginning, the zoo has been very important in helping to save animals. For example, in 1905, the American Bison Society was created there to help save the American bison from disappearing. They successfully brought bison back into the wild. In 2007, the zoo also helped reintroduce three Chinese alligators back into their natural home in China.

Today, the Bronx Zoo is known worldwide for its many different animals and its amazing exhibits. It's part of a group of four zoos and one aquarium managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). The zoo is also approved by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which means it meets high standards for animal care.

History of the Zoo

How it Started

In 1895, a group of people, many from the Boone and Crockett Club, started the New York Zoological Society. This group later became the Wildlife Conservation Society. Their main goals were to create a zoo, learn more about animals, and protect wildlife.

The zoo opened on November 8, 1899, with 843 animals in 22 exhibits. William Temple Hornaday was its first director.

The first main buildings, called Astor Court, were designed in a beautiful style called Beaux-Arts architecture. They were built around a large, round pool for sea lions. In 1934, the Rainey Memorial Gates were added. These gates were designed by sculptor Paul Manship and are now a historic landmark.

A special fountain, the Rockefeller Fountain, is located near the Fordham Road Gate. It was originally built in Italy in 1872 and was brought to the zoo in 1903. It's now a recognized landmark in New York City.

The zoo has had many rare animals over the years. In 1902, it was one of the few zoos outside Australia to have a thylacine, an animal that is now extinct. The last thylacine at the zoo died in 1919.

In 1903, the zoo received a pair of Barbary lions, a type of lion that is now extinct in the wild. The male lion, Sultan, became very popular and was even painted by artist Charles R. Knight.

The Bronx Zoo was also a pioneer in animal care. In 1916, it built the world's first animal hospital inside a zoo. In 1926, it was one of the first zoos in the U.S. to show shoebills and Komodo dragons. By 1937, it was the first in North America to exhibit okapi.

More Recent Times

In 1960, the zoo became the first in the world to keep a James's flamingo, a species that was once thought to be extinct.

The zoo has also been involved in efforts to save highly endangered animals like the Sumatran rhinoceros. In 1990, a female rhino named Rapunzel came to the zoo as part of a breeding program. She lived at the zoo until her death in 2005.

In 2006, the zoo opened new eco-friendly restrooms that save a lot of water. In 2007, the Wildlife Conservation Society and Fordham University started a special program to train science teachers at the zoo.

Around 2009, the zoo faced budget cuts, which meant some staff positions were reduced and a few exhibits had to close. These included the World of Darkness, Rare Animal Range, and the Skyfari gondola ride.

There was also a discussion about bringing giant pandas to New York City. While some people supported the idea, the zoo and city officials decided it would be too expensive to bring and care for them, costing millions of dollars. The zoo focuses its funds on conservation efforts for animals already in its care and in the wild.

Exhibits and Attractions

The Bronx Zoo has many amazing exhibits. Some are free with a regular ticket, while others cost a little extra.

Free Exhibits

The zoo is home to over 4,000 animals from 650 species. Many of these animals are endangered or threatened. Some exhibits are grouped by animal type, like the World of Birds, while others are grouped by where the animals live, like African Plains.

Astor Court

Astor Court is one of the oldest parts of the zoo. It has many of the original buildings. The historic sea lion pool is here, where you can see California sea lions. The former Lion House is now the "Madagascar!" exhibit.

African Plains

In African Plains, you can see lions, African wild dogs, and Grévy's zebras. You'll also spot herds of nyalas and slender-horned gazelles living with grey crowned cranes and giraffes. This exhibit opened in 1941 and was special because it let visitors see predators and their prey in a natural setting without cages.

The Carter Giraffe Building is part of African Plains. Here, you can see giraffes and South African ostriches. It's also home to spotted hyenas, common dwarf mongooses, and southern white-faced owls. In 2017, two baby cheetahs from the San Diego Zoo joined the animal encounter programs.

Big Bears

Big Bears features four bears: a male grizzly bear and three ABC Islands bears. These bears were rescued as orphans from Baranof Island in Alaska. In 2019, three dholes (wild dogs from Asia) were added to this habitat.

Gelada Reserve

Gelada Reserve opened in 1990. It's a two-acre area that looks like the Ethiopian highlands. It's home to a group of geladas, which are a type of monkey. You can watch the geladas, along with Nubian ibex and rock hyrax, from different viewing spots.

Himalayan Highlands

Himalayan Highlands opened in 1986 and looks like the Himalayas in Asia. This exhibit is known for looking very natural. The main animals here are the zoo's snow leopards. You can also see red pandas and white-naped cranes. The zoo has had many snow leopard cubs born here, helping to protect this species.

Madagascar!

Madagascar! opened in 2008. It shows different habitats from the island of Madagascar. You can see many animals from there, including different types of lemurs, fossas, Nile crocodiles, and radiated tortoises. The exhibit also teaches visitors about the threats these animals face and the zoo's work to save them.

Mouse House

The Mouse House is a small building with many kinds of small mammals, especially rodents. It has areas for both daytime and nighttime animals. You might see fennec foxes, Senegal bushbabies, and long-tailed chinchillas.

Aquatic Bird House

The Aquatic Bird House opened in 1964. It has many open enclosures that look like coastal and wetland habitats. You can see colorful birds like scarlet ibises and roseate spoonbills. Outside, there's a pond with American flamingos. The zoo also works to protect endangered storks like the greater adjutant and Storm's stork.

Russell B. Aitken Sea Bird Aviary

This huge walk-through aviary opened in 1997. It's 60 feet high and designed to look like the coast of Patagonia. You can see about 100 birds flying around, including Inca terns, Magellanic penguins, and brown pelicans.

Tiger Mountain

Tiger Mountain opened in 2003. It's a three-acre exhibit featuring Amur tigers. There are two viewing areas with glass, and one even has an underwater view of a 10,000-gallon pool. The exhibit also teaches visitors about tiger conservation. The zoo has had success breeding both Amur and Malayan tigers.

World of Birds

World of Birds is an indoor bird house that opened in 1972. It has several walk-through aviaries. You can see unique birds like maleos, knobbed hornbills, and Andean cock-of-the-rocks. The exhibit also highlights how deforestation and illegal wildlife trade affect bird populations.

World of Reptiles

World of Reptiles has been at the zoo since it first opened. It's a long hall with many terrariums. You can see a wide range of reptiles and amphibians, including American alligators, blue iguanas, king cobras, and Philippine sailfin lizards. The zoo also has a special breeding program for Kihansi spray toads, which it saved from extinction.

Pheasant Aviary

The Pheasant Aviary is a long row of cages with many different bird species, especially pheasants. You might see colorful birds like Elliot's pheasant and Lady Amherst's pheasant.

Birds of Prey

Birds of Prey is an exhibit with various raptor species. You can see bald eagles, burrowing owls, snowy owls, and an Andean condor. Nearby, there's a pond with black-necked swans and American white pelicans.

Zoo Center

The Zoo Center, built in 1908, is a beautiful building in Astor Court. It houses blue tree monitors, Komodo dragons, Aldabra giant tortoises, and southern white rhinoceros. This building was originally the Elephant House and has held many large animals over the years.

Bison Range

The Bison Range is in the northeast part of the zoo and has been there since the zoo opened. It was important for breeding Plains bison when they were in danger of disappearing in the United States. It's one of the few places in U.S. zoos with a large herd of bison.

Northern Ponds

Northern Ponds is a series of natural ponds with many different waterfowl and other aquatic birds. You can see black-necked cranes, red-breasted geese, and trumpeter swans. Many wild birds also visit these ponds.

Mitsubishi Riverwalk

The Mitsubishi Riverwalk is a path that goes along the Bronx River. It opened in 2004 after a cleanup project on the river. It helps protect the river's natural environment.

Paid Exhibits and Attractions

These attractions require an extra fee or a special ticket.

Bug Carousel

The Bug Carousel has seats shaped like different insects. It was installed in 2005 and is a popular ride for visitors.

Butterfly Garden

This is an indoor butterfly conservatory where you can walk through gardens and see many different butterflies up close. It opened in 1996 and has over 1,000 butterflies from 44 species.

Children's Zoo

The Children's Zoo reopened in 2015 after renovations. It has new exhibits with animals like giant anteaters, pudús, Linne's two-toed sloth, squirrel monkeys, and Asian small-clawed otters. You can also see farm animals like Nubian goats, sheep, and pigs.

Congo Gorilla Forest

In the southwestern part of the zoo, Congo Gorilla Forest is a 6.5-acre (about 2.6 hectares) rainforest. It's home to about 20 western lowland gorillas, one of the largest groups in North America. You can also see Angolan colobus monkeys and mandrills. Since it opened in 1999, many gorillas and other animals have been born here. The exhibit also helps raise money for conservation in Central Africa.

JungleWorld

JungleWorld is a large indoor tropical jungle with nearly 800 animals. You can find Asian small-clawed otters, Javan lutungs, northern white-cheeked gibbons, Matschie's tree-kangaroos, and Malayan tapirs. The exhibit is designed so that animals are separated from visitors by natural barriers like ravines and streams, not bars. It also teaches about the importance of protecting rainforests.

Wild Asia Monorail

The monorail ride opened in 1977 and takes you through a 40-acre (about 16 hectares) area that looks like Asia. On this 1.6-mile (2.6 km) ride, you can see animals like tigers, Przewalski's horses, Indian rhinoceros, Indian elephants, and many types of deer and antelope in their natural-looking habitats.

Nature Trek

Nature Trek opened in 2017. It has twelve covered rope bridges connecting towers, elevated tunnels, and challenges like an obstacle course. There's also a play area on the ground. It's designed to be eco-friendly, using natural materials.

Bronx Zoo Treetop Adventure

This section opened in 2017 and is separate from the main zoo. It has seven different levels of rope courses and a 400-foot (120 m) zip-line that goes over the Bronx River. It's a fun way to experience the park from above.

Dinosaur Safari

Dinosaur Safari takes visitors on a safari ride through a wooded area. It features animatronic dinosaurs from different time periods. The ride lasts about 20 minutes and includes popular dinosaurs like the Triceratops and Brachiosaurus. This exhibit has returned for several seasons.

Former Exhibits

World of Darkness

World of Darkness opened in 1969 and was the first major exhibit designed for nocturnal animals. It used special red lights to show animals that are active at night, like leopard cats, bay duikers, and different kinds of bats. It closed in 2009 due to budget cuts.

Rare Animal Range

Rare Animal Range was a trail that focused on highly endangered species. It had animals like guanacos and pied ruffed lemurs. This exhibit also closed in 2009 due to budget cuts.

Skyfari

The Skyfari was a popular gondola lift that took visitors high above the zoo, offering great views. It ran from April to October. However, due to high maintenance costs and an incident in 2008 where some passengers were stranded, the ride permanently closed in 2009.

Monkey House

The Monkey House, which first opened in 1901, closed in 2012 after 111 years. It was home to many different monkeys like cotton-top tamarins and white-faced sakis. Some of these primates were moved to other parts of the zoo or to other zoos in New York City.

4-D Theater

The 4-D Theater showed short films with special effects like moving seats, wind, and mist. It closed in 2019 and was replaced with a giraffe feeding experience.

WCS's Run for the Wild

In April 2008, the zoo started the Run for the Wild event. It's a 5k run (about 3.1 miles) organized by the Wildlife Conservation Society to raise money and awareness for their conservation programs. Each year, the event focuses on a different endangered species or animal group, like gorillas, tigers, or elephants. Participants get free entry to the zoo and its paid exhibits.

Conservation Efforts

The Bronx Zoo has a long history of working to save animals. In 1905, the zoo's first director, William Temple Hornaday, along with President Theodore Roosevelt, created the American Bison Society. Their goal was to save the American bison from disappearing. They bred bison at the zoo and reintroduced them into the wild. In 1907, the first group of bison from the zoo was successfully released in Oklahoma.

The Wildlife Conservation Society, which manages the zoo, continues this work. In 2005, they restarted the American Bison Society to help bring bison back into their natural environment. They are even working to ensure bison have pure genes, free from cattle genes that entered the population over time.

In 2007, the zoo successfully reintroduced three Chinese alligators into the wild in China. In 2009, these alligators started breeding naturally, which was a big success for the zoo's 10-year effort to save the species.

The zoo also helps orphaned animals. In 2006, they adopted an orphaned snow leopard cub named Leo from Pakistan. In 2010, they adopted four abandoned brown bear cubs from Alaska and Montana. In 2011, they took in two bald eagles that were rescued in Wyoming and couldn't survive in the wild.

In 2010, an "assurance colony" of Kihansi spray toads was placed at the zoo. This species had disappeared from their home in Tanzania, and the zoo is helping to keep them from becoming extinct.

Incidents at the Zoo

Animal Keeper Fatality

On July 29, 1985, a sad event occurred when two Siberian tigers killed a 24-year-old animal keeper named Robin Silverman. It was the first and only human fatality in the zoo's history.

Animal Incidents

In 2007, a group of oriental small-clawed otters attacked and drowned a Javan lutung monkey in the JungleWorld exhibit. The otters were then moved to other areas of the zoo.

There have also been a few animal escapes over the years. In 1902, a jaguar escaped its cage. In 2011, a venomous cobra went missing from its off-exhibit enclosure in the World of Reptiles building, but it was found safely a few days later. In 2023, an Indian peafowl named Raul briefly escaped but flew back into the zoo the next day.

Happy the Elephant

Happy is an Indian elephant who came to the zoo in 1977. For many years, she lived with another elephant named Grumpy. After Grumpy passed away in 2002, Happy was paired with another elephant, Sammy, who also passed away in 2006. Since then, Happy has lived without the company of other elephants.

Some animal rights groups have criticized the zoo for this, saying that elephants are very social animals and Happy should be moved to an elephant sanctuary. However, the zoo believes that moving her at her age could be stressful and that she has strong bonds with her keepers. They state that she has access to outdoor yards and interacts with keepers.

In 2022, the New York Court of Appeals ruled that the legal right of "habeas corpus" (which protects against unlawful imprisonment) does not apply to non-human animals, meaning Happy could not be moved from the zoo by court order.

Ota Benga (Historical Context)

In 1906, a man named Ota Benga from the Mbuti people of Africa was brought to the zoo. For a time, he was displayed as an exhibit, particularly in the Monkey House. This was a very wrong and harmful practice.

African-American religious leaders immediately protested this display, saying it was dehumanizing. The zoo eventually removed Benga from the exhibit. The Wildlife Conservation Society, which runs the zoo, formally apologized in 2020 for the zoo's treatment of Ota Benga and for promoting harmful ideas about race at that time.

Entrances (Gates)

• Asia Gate (walk in) Boston Road
• Bronx River Parkway Gate (parking)
• Fordham Road Gate (parking)
• Southern Boulevard Gate (parking)

Notable People

• E. R. Sanborn (1869–1947), the zoo's first official photographer.

Images for kids

• 

  The "Most Dangerous Animal in the World" exhibit at the Bronx Zoo, 1963.

See also

In Spanish: Zoológico del Bronx para niños