The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Site Visitation

Visited By: Shala Honer

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Table of ContentsTable of Contents......................................................................................................................1

Site History..................................................................................................................................2

Site Categorization...................................................................................................................5

Type of Crowd............................................................................................................................6

Site Plan........................................................................................................................................8

Photos of Site............................................................................................................................10

References.................................................................................................................................14

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Site HistoryThe history of the Los Angeles Zoo dates backs to the late 1800’s. Overtime, the zoo has

grown bigger and even switched locations within Los Angeles. The historic events that have

created the zoo to what it is today started with its early years of developing. The key aspects of

the park’s past includes the early years, the 1960’s to 2000’s, and 2000’s to the present day.

The early years of the Los Angeles Zoo history began in 1885 where the city of Los

Angeles began opening a number of four different zoos. Based on Scheier’s (2013) thoughts in

the Old Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Park, Los Angeles, the Eastlake Zoo was the first to open in

East Los Angeles Park in 1885, followed by the opening of Griffith Park Zoo in 1912. The next

zoo to be opened was the Colonel William Selig Zoo in 1915, which united both a zoo and a

movie studio. According to the article, Two Zoos in Griffith Park, the zoo in Griffith Park had

many health issues and the zoo almost closed in 1916 after the Health Department discovered

swage, coming from the zoo, was draining into the L.A. River. During the time of World War I,

the animals were not being feed the proper diet and it resulted in some animal deaths. Over the

years, the zoo struggled to stay on its feet but somehow it was able to bring itself to expand. In

1956 the people of the city decided they wanted to build a new zoo that was bigger than any

other (L.A. Zoo History, 2014).

In August of 1966 the Griffith Park closed completely and moved all of the zoo animals

to the new location, which was called the L.A. Zoo. The opening day of the new zoo was on

November 28th, 1966. One of the oldest remaining wild animals that originated from Griffith

Park was an American alligator Methuselah, who sadly died in 2010. The new zoo began to

gather several animals that accumulated overtime. In 1967 two baby polar bears arrived,

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followed by two rare Arabian oryx, which began a very successful breeding program. The first

annual Beastly Ball was held in 1970, which was a safari-themed dinner and dance fundraising

event. Also in 1970, an African black rhinoceros, named Twinkletoes, delivered the first

rhinoceros ever to be born in the State of California. The L.A. Zoo became a member of the

American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) in 1972. In 1981 the zoo became a partner to

the California Condor Recovery Program, which helped bring the majestic bird back from almost

extinction. Six Victorian Koalas arrived in 1982 from the Melbourne Zoo and in 1988 a donation

was made to a new meerkat display by the Alice C. Tyler funds. In the 1990’s the Los Angeles

Zoo became the biggest volunteer improvement program in the entire country. Also, the tiger

exhibit was improved, by adding a waterfall and the chimpanzee exhibit opened for the first time

(L.A. Zoo History, 2014).

Based on the article, L.A. Zoo History, in 2000, the Red Ape Rain Forest exhibit opened

which became the home of the orangutans. In 2001 the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo was

build, which included a collaborating learning center, petting zoo, and an amphitheater. The zoo

was renamed the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens in 2002 and in 2005 a children’s

discovery center, Sea Lion Cliffs, and the Zoo Entry Plaza opened. In 2007 the Campo Gorilla

Reserve opened, including two environments for bachelors and family groups. The Elephants of

Asia exhibit opened in 2010 that had over six acres of land and was the biggest exhibit ever to be

created at the zoo. In 2011 the Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel was added to the zoo,

which included about sixty-four hand-crafted wooden displays and painted art work. The LAIR,

meaning Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles, opened in the year 2012. The LAIR

holds over 60 different kinds of species and includes specific rock formations, mountain ranges,

dry deserts, misty forests, and rainforest canopies that cater to each of the species’ natural

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habitat. On April 29th, 2014 the Rainforest of the Americas display opened its doors and included

animals such as the giant river otter, Central American tapir, emerald tree boa, harpy eagle, keel-

billed toucan, red bellied piranhas, and goliath bird-eating spiders (L.A. Zoo History, 2014).

The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens has had a long history that has grown to

include many different exhibits, animals, and attractions for children and other visitors. The

timeline of the park consists of the early years, 1960’s to 2000’s, and 2000’s to today. According

to the article, L.A. Zoo History, the future plans of the park involve a new exhibit for jaguars,

which should be completed in the year 2015. Overtime the historical events of the zoo started

back in 1885 and still continue to this day, creating bigger and better exhibits for not only the

animals, but the visitors of the park.

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Site CategorizationThe Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is considered to be and outdoor attraction.

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Type of CrowdWhile visiting the Los Angeles Zoo, I noticed that there were many different types of

people there. Most of the people seemed comfortable with the area as if they were locals of city.

The types of people that were visiting the park consisted of families with small children, couples,

artists, and small groups of adults.

The families with small children looked somewhat like tourists. However; some looked

as if they had been there before. The families that appeared to be tourists were carrying big

cameras, bags, and strollers. They looked as if they wanted to see each and every thing in the

park. Also, they seemed hurried to get to the next exhibit and keep their children entertained. I

mostly noticed the families of the park eating at the small restaurants more than any other type of

person visiting. The family groups moved quickly but efficiently through the park. Most people

in this type visiting the park appeared to be middle-class, all varieties of ethnicities, and parents

in their late 20’s or early 30’s. 75% of the people visiting the park were families with small

children.

The next type of people visiting the site was couples. Most of them were in their 20’s,

while a few appeared to be in their 40’s. The younger couples seemed relaxed, were not carrying

anything, and looked like they were locals. Their ethnicity consisted of only Caucasian and

appeared to be middle-class. The older couples ranged in different ethnicities, seemed eager to

move quickly, and looked to be both upper and middle-class. Some carried large cameras and

fanny packs, while only few did not. The older couples appeared to be tourists based on their

enthusiastic attitudes and what they brought with them to the site. The couples visiting the park

consisted of 5% of the total number of visitors at the site.

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The third type of visitors to the park was artists. The artists seemed relaxed and looked

as if they were familiar with the park. They carried only a bag for their art supplies and look like

locals. Their ethnicity consisted of only Caucasian and appeared to be upper class, in their 50’s.

The artists visiting the park made up only about 2% of the visitors.

The last type of visitor at the park was small groups. These groups appeared to be close to

one another as if they were family or friends. They looked to be middle-class, ranging in ages

from their 20’s to 40’s, and were a variety of different ethnicities. These groups seemed like

locals, but was their first time visiting in a long time. They seemed excited to spend time with the

others in their group and acted very relaxed. They were not holding anything in their hands, only

their phone or purse. The percentage of people that made up this type of group visiting the park

was 18%.

The types of people visiting the Los Angeles Zoo were made up of 75% families, 5%

couples, 2% artists, and 18% small groups. The ages consisted of very small children up to

people in their 50’s. Most were middle-class, ranged in varieties of ethnicities, and seemed to be

more locals than tourists.

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Site Plan

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One problem I noticed while visiting the park was the visitors seemed lost as the park

was closing. There were not any visible signs that were detected on how to exit the park. If I was

a manager of the park, I would add signs that are very noticeable, even to a small child, on how

to exit the park. The Los Angeles Zoo is an attraction cluster. The site as a whole is what the

visitors come to see; however there are many different sections inside the zoo. For example, the

zoo contains attractions such as the children’s zoo, the main zoo, the Lair, the Aviary, Rainforest

of the Americas, and botanical gardens spread throughout the park.

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Photos of Site

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References(2014). LA Zoo History. Retrieved from http://www.lazoo.org/about/history/

Eberts, M. (n.d). Two Zoos in Griffith Park. Retrieved from

http://english.glendale.cc.ca.us/zoo.html

Scheier, J. (2013). Old Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Retrieved from

http://phantomlosangeles.blogspot.com/2013/03/old-los-angeles-zoo-griffith-park-

los.html