San Francisco Zoo Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
San Francisco Zoo

African Savannah
Location	San Francisco, California
Land area	100 acres (40 ha)
Coordinates	37°43′59″N 122°30′11″W / 37.73306°N 122.50306°W / 37.73306; -122.50306
No. of animals	1000+ (2015)
No. of species	250+ (2015)
Memberships	AZA
Major exhibits	African Savanna, Gorilla Preserve, Grizzly Gulch, Primate Discovery Center (Lemur Forest), Cat Kingdom, Penguin Island, Red Panda Treehouse, Insect Zoo

The San Francisco Zoo is a large zoo in San Francisco, California. It covers about 100 acres (40 hectares) of land. You can find it between Lake Merced and the Pacific Ocean.

This zoo is a public place, but a non-profit group called the San Francisco Zoological Society helps manage it. They have worked together since 1993. In 2016, the zoo was home to over 1,000 animals from more than 250 different species. The zoo is famous for being the birthplace of Koko the gorilla. It was also home to Elly, the oldest black rhinoceros in North America, for many years.

The main entrance to the zoo is on the west side, close to the ocean. You can also find it across Sloat Boulevard.

History of the San Francisco Zoo

The zoo was first called the Fleishhacker Zoo. It was named after Herbert Fleishhacker, a banker who helped start it. Planning for the zoo began in 1929. It was built next to the Fleishhacker Pool, which was once the biggest swimming pool in the United States.

The area already had a children's zoo, a playground, and a classic carousel from 1921. There was also a "Mother's Building" for women and their children. Many of the first animals came from Golden Gate Park. These included two zebras, a cape buffalo, five rhesus monkeys, two spider monkeys, and three elephants named Virginia, Marjorie, and Babe.

Early Exhibits and Growth

The first exhibits were built in the 1930s. They cost $3.5 million. These included Monkey Island, the Lion House, and the Elephant House. There was also a small mammal grotto, an aviary, and bear grottos. These animal homes were special because they were among the first in the country without bars.

In 1955, a local newspaper bought a baby female Asian elephant named Pennie. They donated her to the zoo after many children helped raise money for her.

Over the years, the Zoological Society became very important for raising money. They helped the zoo get rare animals and improve its operations. The Society quickly grew, getting over 1,300 members in its first ten years. Today, it has nearly 25,000 members.

Zoo Improvements and Challenges

The Society helped fund many projects. These included updating the Children’s Zoo in 1964 and creating the African Scene in 1967. They also bought medical equipment for the new zoo Hospital in 1975. The Avian Conservation Center was also started in 1978.

The zoo has continuously worked to improve its safety and animal care. Like many large institutions, it has faced challenges and learned from past experiences to make things better for the animals and visitors.

In 2004 and 2005, the zoo's last two Asian elephants, Tinkerbelle and Lulu, moved to a special sanctuary. This decision was made after the deaths of two other elephants, Calle and Maybelle.

In 2006, the zoo got a lot of attention for naming a baby American bald eagle after comedian Stephen Colbert. The eagle, named Stephen Jr., was born on April 17, 2006. This event brought a lot of positive attention to the zoo.

Exhibit Updates and Renovations

The San Francisco Zoo has regularly updated and improved its animal habitats. Many exhibits have been renovated over the years to provide better homes for the animals and a better experience for visitors. Some of these updates include:

Otter River (1994) for North American river otters.
Feline Conservation Center (1994) for small cats like the snow leopard.
Australian WalkAbout (1995) for red kangaroos and emus.
Children’s Zoo renovation (1999).
African Savanna (2004) where giraffes, zebras, and ostriches roam together.
Hearst Grizzly Gulch exhibit (2007).
Expanded Snow leopard habitat (2022).

Animals and Exhibits

Many Indian peafowl walk freely around the zoo grounds. You can also see Chilean flamingos.

A giraffe at the San Francisco Zoo

African Region

This area features animals from Africa.

Leanne B. Roberts African Savanna

African Aviary

Jones Family Gorilla Preserve

Western lowland gorilla

A gorilla at the San Francisco Zoo

Doelger Primate Discovery Center

This center is home to many primates and other animals.

Lipman Family Lemur Forest

This outdoor forest is home to five types of Madagascan lemurs.

Great Ape Passage

Cat Kingdom

This area features big cats and other amazing animals.

Penguin Island

Magellanic penguin

Outback Trail

Explore animals from Australia here.

South America

Puente al Sur

South American Tropical Rainforest and Aviary

This aviary shows a South American tropical forest with birds, caiman, and an anaconda.

Bear Country

Exploration Zone

Conservation Efforts

The San Francisco Zoo works hard to protect animals. For example, two black bears who were orphans in Alaska found a new home at the zoo in 2017. Their habitat was specially prepared for them.

The zoo also cared for Henry, a 10-year-old blind California sea lion. Henry was found stranded on a beach in 2010. In 2012, he came to the San Francisco Zoo, where veterinarians helped him.

Species Survival Projects

The San Francisco Zoo takes part in Species Survival Plans (SSPs). These are special programs from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. SSPs help zoos work together to breed animals. The goal is to keep animal populations healthy and diverse. This helps make sure these species can survive for a long time.

The zoo is involved in over 30 SSP programs. They help conserve many different animals. These include Madagascan radiated tortoises, reticulated giraffes, black rhinos, and gorillas.

Images for kids

African Savannah
San Francisco Zoo logo

San Francisco Zoo facts for kids

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