The Sacramento Zoo
Samah Omer

Eighty years ago “the little zoo in the park” was born. The William Land Park Zoo opened on June 2, 1927 as the City of Sacramento brought together an assortment of animals from area parks. At that time, the 4.2 acre zoo was home to a diverse collection of 40 animals that included monkeys, raccoons, birds, deer and various other small animals.The Sacramento Zoological Society formed in 1956 to support and raise funds for the city zoo, and would later take over day-to-day management of zoo operations in July 1997 under an alliance agreement with the city.

As the zoo community was learning more and more about the animals in their care, it was time to make more improvements. Architects met the challenge of making exhibit areas spacious and interesting to both inhabitants and visitors. Zoo horticulturists designed natural habitats that reached new levels of creativity. The Claire Mower Red Panda Forest, a mixed species habitat for endangered red panda, Asian bird, fish and turtle species was built in 2000. As recommended by the Species Survival Planâ, in June of 2001 our breeding pair welcomed two red panda cubs.

The role of zoos has dramatically changed over the past few decades. Once merely concerned with showing animals to the public, zoos have progressed well beyond the original intent. The focus of zoos has shifted from showcasing as many animals as possible, to creating a recreational and fun experience while providing educational messages about animals and their wild habitats. Zoos of today have three distinct purposes – education, conservation and recreation. The Sacramento Zoo is committed to this objective.