San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo
Entrance to the zoo with sculpture Rex's Roar, after the lion that inspired the zoo
Map
32°44′10″N 117°09′05″W / 32.73611°N 117.15139°W / 32.73611; -117.15139
Date opened1916 (Precursor Panama–California Exposition in previous year)
LocationBalboa Park, San Diego, California, U.S.
Land area99 acres (40 ha)[1]
No. of animals3,700+[1]
No. of species650+ (incl. subspecies)[1]
Annual visitors4 million (2018)[2]
MembershipsAZA,[3] AAM,[4] WAZA[5]
Major exhibitsAbsolutely Apes, Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, Elephant Odyssey, Panda Ridge, Lost Forest, Monkey Trails, Polar Bear Plunge, Africa Rocks
Public transit accessSan Diego Metropolitan Transit System
Bus Route 7; Rapid Bus 215
Websitezoo.sandiegozoo.org

The San Diego Zoo is a zoo in San Diego, California, located in Balboa Park. It began with a collection of animals left over from the 1915 Panama–California Exposition that were brought together by its founder, Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth. The zoo was a pioneer in the concept of open-air, cage-less exhibits that recreate natural animal habitats.[6]

The zoo sits on 100 acres (40 ha) of land leased from the City of San Diego.[7][8] It houses over 12,000 animals of more than 680 species and subspecies. It is the most visited zoo in the United States; travelers have cited it as one of the best zoos in the world.[9][10][11][12]

Its parent organization, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, is a private nonprofit conservation organization and has one of the largest zoological membership associations in the world. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance also operates the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

  1. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference zoo_about was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "San Diego Zoo attendance breaks record with more than 4 million visitors". San Diego Tribune. January 11, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference aza_list was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference aam_list was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference waza_list was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "10 great places to go wild over zoo animals". USA Today. July 17, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  7. ^ "San Diego Zoo Press Kit". San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  8. ^ "About Us". San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  9. ^ "The Houston Zoo Is the Second Most-Visited Zoo in the Nation, All Thanks to You". Houstionamag.com. February 20, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  10. ^ "America's most-visited zoos". Today.com. July 24, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  11. ^ "Travelers Rank San Diego Zoo Among World's Best". August 7, 2014.
  12. ^ "San Diego Zoo named best in the world". July 15, 2015.