Bramble Park Zoo
| Bramble Park Zoo | |
|---|---|
 Bramble Park Zoo logo | |
 | |
| 44°54′31″N 97°07′36″W / 44.9086419°N 97.126565°W | |
| Date opened | 1912 [1] |
| Location | Watertown, South Dakota, United States |
| Land area | 15 acres (6.1 ha) [1] |
| No. of animals | 500 [1] |
| No. of species | 130 [1] |
| Annual visitors | 50,000 [2] |
| Memberships | AZA [3] |
| Website | www |
Bramble Park Zoo is located in Watertown, South Dakota. Open since 1912, the zoo comprises 15 acres (6.1 ha) with approximately 500 animals representing 130 different species.
Bramble Park Zoo has been an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) since 1993.
History
The zoo was opened in 1912, and is named after Frank Bramble, who donated pheasants and other birds to the town to put on display. By 1940, the zoo had outgrown its original facility, and was moved to its current location. The new exhibits for the zoo were constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA).[2]
In 1972, the Lake Area Zoological Society (LAZS) was created "to provide significant assistance in the growth, development and professionalism of the Zoo."[4] The LAZS puts out a quarterly publication called animal chatter.[5]
In the 1990s, the zoo received accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) (1993),[2] hired its first full-time educator (1996), and built the Discovery Center and a new front entrance to the zoo (1997). With money from the city and a Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant, the zoo also renovated animal-holding areas and other infrastgructure, constructed additional raptor rehabilitation areas, and revitalized the primate exhibits.[4]
Throughout the first decade of the 21st century,the zoo continued to update and expand its exhibits. It created a walk-through Australian Adventure exhibit and a short grass prairie garden.[4] In May 2010 the Terry Redlin Environmental Center opened, which inclueds a variety of aquariums, which were donated by Terry Redlin's son. It also includes educational activities, smaller animal exhibits, and two new educational classrooms. The new center is connected to the Discovery Center building at the entrance of the zoo.
Animals, Exhibits, and Facilities
Jaguar Junction houses both regular phase and melanistic ("black") jaguars in a large naturalistic exhibit. It includes a pond and waterfall for the animals, and glass viewing areas for visitors.[4]
The Bird of Prey Plaza features a raptor show with rehabilitated birds of prey.[2]
The 8,000-square-foot (743 m2) Discovery Center and front entrance includes educational exhibits, classrooms, offices, and a gift shop and concessions area.[4] Plus the new Terry Redlin Environmental Center is connected to the building of the Discovery Center.
The Children's Playground next to the Discovery Center features animal themed climbing structures.[6]
The Children's Zoo is located near the Australian Adventure. It includes an area for goats, donkeys, and domestic rabbits, of which you can pet. It also has a small play area for children and a small viewing case which includes farm related animals.
The zoos most famous resident is the White Bengal Tiger "Tika" who is almost 20 years old.
"Other large cats include"- 2 Snow Leopards and 2 Jaguars
"Large Mammals"- Red Kangaroos, Gray wolves, Swift foxes, Black bears, Bactrian camels, Reindeer, and American bison
"Primates"- Black lemur, Ring-tailed lemurs, Black and white ruffed lemurs, Golden lion tamarins, White-bellied spider monkeys, Black-handed spider monkey, White-throated capuchins, DeBrazza's guenon, Black and white colobus, Siamangs, and Goeldi's marmosets
"Medium and Small Mammals"- African hedgehogs, Domestic rabbits, Pallas' cats, Sicilian donkeys, African pygmy goats, Chinchillas, and Muntjacs
"Arthropods include"- Madagascar hissing cockroaches and Chilean rose-haired tarantulas
"Fish include"- Northern Atlantic seahorses, African cichlids, Cinnamon clownfish, Palette tang, Damsel fish, Lionfish, Arowana, and Jack Dempseys
"Amphibians include"- Tomato frogs, Fire-bellied frogs, Tiger salamanders, and Bull frogs
"Reptiles include"- Three-toed box turtles, African spurred tortoises, African pancake tortoises, American alligators, Inland bearded dragons, New Guinea blue-tongued skinks, Boa constrictor, Burmese pythons, Ball pythons, Cornsnakes, Western hognose snake, California kingsnake, Radiated tortoises, and Leopard geckos
"Birds Include"- Jackass penguins, Scarlet ibis, Roseate spoonbills, White-fronted geese, Snow geese, Canada geese, Barnacle geese, Trumpeter swans, Black-bellied whistling ducks, White-faced whistling ducks, Mandarin ducks, North American wood ducks, Common shoveler, Canvasbacks, Ringed teal, Hooded mergansers, North American ruddy ducks, Andean condors, Red-tailed hawks, Bald eagles, Brown-eared pheasants, Chickens, Silver pheasants, Peafowl, Turkeys, Florida sandhill cranes, White-crested cockatoo, Yellow-naped Amazon Parrots, Red-lored Amazon Parrots, Blue and yellow macaws, Sun conures, Jackson's hornbills, Gouldian finches, Long-tailed finches, Bourke's parakeets, Red crowned cranes, and Taveta golden weavers
Conservation
The zoo participates in AZA Species Survival Plans (SSP), and is active in local conservation programs.[4]
The future
Plans for future expansion include a new bear exhibit.[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b c d "Fast Facts". Bramble Park Zoo. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
- ^ a b c d "Bramble Park Zoo in Watertown, South Dakota". city-data.com. City-Data. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
- ^ "List of Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f "History of Bramble Park Zoo". Bramble Park Zoo. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
External links
| Types of zoos | |
|---|---|
| Conservation | |
| Lists | |
| Related | |
