Staten Island Zoo facts for kids
Staten Island Zoo Logo
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Staten Island Zoo Entrance
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| Date opened | June 10, 1936 |
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| Location | 614 Broadway, Staten Island |
| Land area | 8 acres (3.2 ha) |
| Coordinates | 40°37′30″N 74°06′54″W / 40.625°N 74.115°W |
| No. of animals | 1400 |
| No. of species | 320 |
| Memberships | Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) |
| Major exhibits | Africa, Tropical Forest, Reptile Wing |
| Website | http://www.statenislandzoo.org |
The Staten Island Zoo is an 8-acre urban zoo located in West New Brighton, Staten Island, New York City. It is open all year round, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Since 1988, the zoo has been officially recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). This means it meets high standards for animal care and education.
Contents
Discovering the Zoo's History
The Staten Island Zoo has an interesting past. It was built on land that once belonged to Colonel Edward Harden. He was a hero from the Spanish–American War. In 1908, Colonel Harden and his wife, Julia, moved into their home at 614 Broadway.
How the Zoo Land Was Donated
When Julia Harden passed away in 1930, she left her land to New York City. She had three special rules for the gift. First, the park had to be named after her brother-in-law, Major Clarence Barrett. He was a hero from the Civil War. Second, the land could not be used as a playground. Third, her husband, Colonel Harden, could continue living in their house on the property.
The city officially called the site "Barret Park." However, by the 1960s, most people started calling it the "Staten Island Zoo." For many years, the word "Zoo" only appeared in the name "Staten Island Zoological Society," which managed the park.
Building the Zoo for Education
In August 1933, the Staten Island Zoological Society was created. The park itself was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. This was a program by the U.S. government that put people to work during the Great Depression.
New York State helped the zoo financially. In 1935, a bill was passed to provide city funds for the zoo's upkeep. The Governor of New York also agreed to give public money for daily operations. Meanwhile, the Zoological Society took care of the animals, exhibits, and educational programs.
Construction on the 8-acre estate began in 1933. The zoo officially opened its doors to the public on June 10, 1936. It was known as the first "educational zoo" in the United States.
A Pioneer Veterinarian
From 1942 to 1966, Patricia O'Connor was the main animal caretaker at the zoo. She was special because she was reported to be "the only woman veterinarian in any zoo in the country" at that time.
By 1949, the zoo was thriving. It had over 1,200 animals and a large auditorium. About 500,000 people visited the zoo each year. It was even described as "spotless, modern, and odorless."
The Parking Lot's Past
The zoo's parking lot, built in 1968, has its own history. It was once the estate of another Civil War hero, Colonel Richard Penn Smith. His large home was later bought by the Actors Fund of America. They turned it into a peaceful retreat for actors. Eventually, this land was divided. Part of it became the zoo's parking lot, and another part was used for a cemetery.
A Health Scare and Its Impact
In 1971, some animals at the zoo became sick and died. It was discovered they had lead poisoning. A black leopard named Mr. Leo Pard suffered serious nerve damage. The lead came from Tetraethyllead, an additive in Gasoline. This sad event helped lead to the removal and ban of leaded gasoline in the United States.
The Staten Island Zoological Society
Unlike other zoos in New York City, the Staten Island Zoo is run by its own group: the Staten Island Zoological Society. This society was formed in August 1933. Some local stories say it might have grown from a reptile club that was nearby. This could explain why the zoo has always been famous for its large collection of reptiles.
Focus on Education
The Staten Island Zoological Society started the zoo with a clear goal: to be an educational zoo. They held evening lectures, taught lessons in local schools, and gave tours to school children.
The zoo's education program grew even more under Dr. Patricia O'Conner, the zoo veterinarian. It began offering programs for children in hospitals. It also provided courses for high school teachers and lectures for educators and wildlife clubs. Today, the Staten Island Zoo still offers lessons both at the zoo and in schools. It also has special educational programs.
The zoo has its own veterinary clinic. This clinic offers a great internship program for college students who want to become veterinary technicians or veterinarians. The zoo building also has a small lecture hall, a classroom, and a private library.
Meet the Animals
When the zoo first opened, it focused a lot on reptiles, especially its collection of snakes in the Serpentarium. Even though the zoo now has many different types of animals, its collection of rattlesnakes is still one of the biggest and best in North America. Today, the zoo has over 1,500 animals from more than 350 different species. One popular exhibit is the African Savannah at Twilight.
How Animals Joined the Zoo
Many animals came to the zoo through purchases or from other zoos. From the 1930s to the early 1960s, zoo staff also went on trips to collect animals. For example, curator Carl Kauffeld collected rattlesnakes in 1936. Zookeeper Bob Zappalorti went on a trip in 1965. Animals were also donated, like a pair of solenodons given by the Dominican Republic. The collection of marine fish was donated by the Staten Island Aquarium Society in the late 1950s.
In 1944, a newspaper reported that the zoo had over 600 animals. These included a binturong, an ocelot, a spider monkey, and an African leopard named Tommy. By 1949, the zoo had more than 1,200 animals. Some of these were a concave-casqued hornbill, a white pelican, a Pel's fishing owl, and "perhaps the only bushmaster snake in the country."
Famous Residents
The Staten Island Zoo is home to Staten Island Chuck. He is a groundhog and the official Groundhog Day weather forecaster for New York City. Another famous resident is Grandpa, a Black-handed Spider Monkey. He made headlines when he correctly "predicted" the winners of six out of nine matches at the U.S. Open Tennis Championship!
Other Amazing Animals
Here are some of the other animals you can see at the zoo:
- Spider Monkeys
- Patagonian Cavy
- Groundhog
- Chinese Alligator
- Red Kangaroo
- Tawny Frogmouth
- Serval
- Highland Cow
- Fennec Fox
- Capybara
- Donkey
- Green Anaconda
- Emu
- Ibex
- Sloth
- Ostrich
- Binturong
- Roadrunner
- Bearded Dragon
- Meerkat
- Amur Leopard
- Southern Ground Hornbill
- Pacu
Getting to the Zoo
You can reach the zoo by taking the S48, S53 bus routes. There are no Staten Island Railway stations very close to the zoo.
Images for kids
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Monkey House, middle 20th century
