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Revert: the zoo specifically calls it puma (''felis concolor''). I have a picture to prove it
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* [[Siberian Tiger]] (''Panthera tigris altaica'')
* [[Siberian Tiger]] (''Panthera tigris altaica'')
* [[Jaguar]] (''Panthera onca'')
* [[Jaguar]] (''Panthera onca'')
* [[Puma]] (''Felis concolor'')
* [[Cougar]] (''Puma concolor'')
* [[Bengal Tiger]] (''Panthera tigris tigris'')
* [[Bengal Tiger]] (''Panthera tigris tigris'')
* [[Amur Leopard]] (''Panthera pardus orientalis'')
* [[Amur Leopard]] (''Panthera pardus orientalis'')

Revision as of 12:48, 5 February 2007

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
Sign at the main entrance
Map
41°13′29″N 95°55′43″W / 41.22472°N 95.92861°W / 41.22472; -95.92861
Date opened1894
LocationOmaha, Nebraska, USA
Land area130+ acres [1] (0.53 km²)
No. of animals17,000 [1]
No. of species962 [1]
MembershipsAZA, WAZA
Major exhibitsLied Jungle, Desert Dome, Kingdoms of the Night, Cat Complex
Websitehttp://www.omahazoo.com/

The Henry Doorly Zoo is a zoo in Omaha, Nebraska. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).

The zoo's stated purpose [2] is: conservation, research, recreation, and education.

As of October 2004, the zoo had [1]:

Today, it is considered by many to be one of the top zoos in the United States; in May 2004, it was voted by Reader's Digest as the best zoo in America. [3]

History

The zoo originally began in 1894 as Riverview Park Zoo. Just four years later it had over 120 animals. [4] In 1952, the Omaha Zoological Society was created with aims to improve the zoo.

In 1963, Margaret Hitchcock Doorly donated $750,000 (approximately $4.5 million in 2005 dollars). In doing so, she stipulated that the zoo be renamed in memory of her late husband, Henry Doorly, chairman of the World Publishing Company.

Union Pacific helped the zoo lay down 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of track in 1968 with the inaugural run of the Omaha Zoo Railroad made on July 22, 1968.

Building/exhibit history

The following is a selected list of when buildings and exhibits were created:

Admission

Historical admission fees are as follows:

Age 2006 price [5] 2005 price [6] 2004 price [7] 2003 price [8] 2002 price [9] 2001 price [10] 1999 price [11]
4 and under Free Free ? ? ? ? Free
5-11 $6.75 $6.50 $6.00 $5.25 $4.75 $4.25 $3.75
12-61 $10.50 $10.25 $9.75 $9.00 $8.50 $8.00 $7.25
62 and over $9.00 $8.75 $8.25 $7.50 $7.00 $6.50 $5.75
Household membership $73.00 $65.00 1/1-4/3
$73.00 4/4-12/31 		$65.00 1/1-4/4
$73.00 4/5-12/31 		$60.00 1/1-4/6
$68.00 4/7-12/31 		$68.00 $50.00 1/1-4/1
$60.00 4/2-12/31 		$60.00

Major exhibits

The zoo features numerous major exhibits:

Lied Jungle

Two Scarlet Macaws

The Lied Jungle opened on April 4, 1992 at a cost of $15 million. [12] It is the largest indoor rainforest in the world; it occupies an 80 foot tall building that spans 1.5 acres and is located just inside the main entrance. [12]

Inside there is 123,000 ft² (2.82 acres; 11,400 m²) of floor space and of which 61,000 ft² (1.4 acres; 5,670 m²) is planted exhibit space; 35,000 ft² (0.8 acres; 3,250 m²) of display management area; and 11,000 ft² (0.25 acres; 1,020 m²) of education area. [12]

Visitors can walk along a dirt trail on the floor of the jungle as well as on a walkway around and above the animals. Along both trails approximately 90 species can be found including:

Many different types of plant-life also thrive throughout the jungle. The exhibit is broken up into sections by continent including Asia, Africa, and South America.

Notable points:

  • Visitors can view the indoor jungle through 90 feet of floor-to-ceiling windows at the Durham's TreeTops Restaurant, which is next to the jungle.
  • A portion of the electrical power needed for the jungle is provided by natural gas fuel cells.

Awards: [12]

Scott Kingdom of the Seas Aquarium

Tufted Puffin

The Walter and Suzanne Scott Kingdoms of the Seas Aquarium is an aquarium that opened on April 1, 1995 at a cost of $16 million. [13] The building has 71,000 ft² (1.6 acres; 6,600 m²).

The aquarium features water dwelling animals from around the world:

It features displays of aquatic habitats from polar regions, temperate oceans, the flooded Amazon Rainforest, and coral reefs. The 900,000 gallon (3.4 million liters) shark tank features a 70 foot (21.3 meters) shark tunnel that is at the bottom of the 17 foot (5.2 meters) deep tank. [13] This tank features sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, and coral reef fish.

Other tanks include a North Pacific Giant Octopus, jellyfish, and open ocean schooling fish. A new addition is a portable touch tank which allows visitors to feel a shark's scales and the rubbery skin of a stingray. In addition, an educational biofact cart is situated next to the tank to reveal more mysteries of the sea like coral shapes, shark skins, snail and shark egg cases, and shark jaws.

During warmer months, Little Penguins can be found outside near the entrance of the aquarium.

The only fresh water display is of the Amazon Rainforest that includes fish, invertebrates, turtles, and mammals (including Common Squirrel Monkeys).

Garden of the Senses

A couple of the fountains

The Garden of the Senses opened in spring 1998 at a cost of $1.8 million . The garden is filled with plants, fountains, birds, a giant sundial, and more. Over 250 different species of herbs, perennials, and trees as well as roses & flowers, butterfly-friendly plants, and trellises.

The birds include Macaws, South American parrots, and Australian cockatoos.

Desert Dome

Cape Thick-knee

The Desert Dome opened in April 2002 at a cost of $31.5 million (includes Kingdoms of the Night). It is the world's largest indoor desert at around 42,000 ft² (0.96 acres; 3,900 m²). [14] Beneath the Desert Dome is the Kingdoms of the Night.

The Desert Dome ha geologic features from deserts around the world: Namib Desert of south Africa; Red Center of Australia; and the Sonoran Desert of the southwest United States. Animals from each are on display:

In addition to being the world's largest indoor desert, the Desert Dome's geodesic dome is also the world's largest glazed geodesic dome. The dome is 137 feet above the main level and 230 feet in diameter. There are 1,760 acrylic windows with 4 shades (some clear) that were placed to allow maximum shade in the summer and maximum light in the winter to reduce energy costs. [14]

Kingdoms of the Night

The Eugene T. Mahoney Kingdoms of the Night opened beneath the Desert Dome in April 2003 at a cost of $31.5 million (includes Desert Dome). Kingdoms of the Night is the world's largest nocturnal animal exhibit (which is housed underneath the world's largest desert under the world's largest glazed geodesic dome [14]) at 42,000 ft² (0.96 acres; 3,900 m²).

The Kingdoms of the Night features a wet cave (with a 14 feet deep aquarium), a canyon, an African diorama, a Eucalyptus forest, a dry batcave, and a swamp. The swamp is also the world's largest indoor swamp. [15]

Some of the animals found at the Kingdom of the Night:

Hubbard Gorilla Valley

A Diana Monkey

The Hubbard Gorilla Valley is a gorilla exhibit named after Dr. Theodore Hubbard (a cardiologist from Omaha) opened in April 8, 2004 at a cost of $14 million.

Prior to being expanded and rebuilt, the Hubbard Gorilla Valley was the Owen Gorilla House.

Some of the animals are:

Hubbard Orangutan Forest

The Hubbard Orangutan Forest opened in two phases during 2005 — first phase was opened in May 2005 and the second phase opened in late summer 2005 — at a cost of $8.5 million.

The first phase is the outdoor habitat that includes two 65-foot tall, 100 ton Banyan trees interconnected with vines enclosed by a stainless steel netting. A 20 foot waterfall is named after Claire Hubbard, the Orangutan Forest's primary donor.

The second phase is the indoor habitat that has 3,126 ft² (0.07 acres; 290 m²).

Other exhibits

The zoo also features Simmons Aviary, the world's second-largest free-flight aviary, Lozier IMAX theater, and many other exhibits. Other exhibits include the Cat Complex, Cheetah Valley, Durham Family Bear Canyon, Hoofstock, Owen Sea Lion Pavilion, a petting zoo, the new Budgie Encounter, and others. Many different animals have smaller, individual exhibits such as elephants, okapi, and rhinos.

Cat Complex

A Siberian Tiger

The cat complex opened in 1977 at a cost of $2.5 million. The complex has 11 inside enclosures and 10 outside enclosures with capacity of up to 100 cats. [16] The build is the largest in North America. [16]

The complex contains many animals from the Felidae family, which include:

Awards: [16]

Durham Family Bear Canyon

A Polar Bear floating

The Durham Family Bear Canyon opened in 1989 at a cost of $1.4 million. [17]

The canyon has a large 30,000 gallon (114,000 liters) tank for Polar Bears. The canyon also has other members of the Ursidae family, which include:

Others

Genetics research

The Bill and Berniece Grewcock Center for Conservation and Research is a world class genetics research center at the zoo. The center has discovered several new species. The world's first "test-tube" gorilla in-vitro fertilization resides at the zoo. The gorilla was created and born at a zoo in Ohio with sperm frozen by the Henry Doorly reproductive research team. It is the world's largest gorilla sperm bank. The world's first artificially inseminated tiger was born in Omaha in 1991, followed by the world's first artificially inseminated guar.

The original 16,448 ft² (1,528 m²) facility was constructed in 1996 [18]. In 2006 it is undergoing a $6 million expansion which brings the total space to 32,000 ft² (2,900 m²). [18]

The research center focuses on six areas:

Mouse Lemurs

A study lead by Edward Louis, a conservation geneticist at the zoo, identified three new mouse lemurs (Simmons' Mouse Lemur, Mittermeier's Mouse Lemur, & Jolly's Mouse Lemur) with the Simmons' Mouse Lemur named after Lee Simmons, the zoo's director. [19][20][21]

Rides

The Henry Doorly Zoo, like most zoos, is not an amusement park with rides like Disney Land although it does have two rides that circumnavigate the zoo and a carousel.

Railroad

File:Zootrainlogo.jpg
The Union Pacific-inspired logo of the Omaha Zoo Railroad
Main article: Omaha Zoo Railroad

The Omaha Zoo Railroad is a 1.8 mile (2.9 km) narrow gauge train that loops through the zoo. The railroad began operations on July 22, 1968 after the track was laid down by the Union Pacific railroad.

The train operates with one of two oil-powered steam locomotives.

Riva is the newest locomotove owned by the zoo despite being manufactured first. It is approximately twice as powerful as the #119 and is regularly used on weekends when more visitors are present. The #119 is the original locomotive for the zoo.

Tram

The tram is a trackless tram that drives on the walkway paths around the zoo. It has four stops:

  • Between the carousel and Dairy World
  • Between the Sea Lions and the Monkeys
  • Between the Warthogs and the hoofstock
  • Between the Budgie Encounter and the Okapi

A carousel on which visitors of all ages can ride handcrafted recreations of wild animals.

Educational programs

The zoo offers many educational programs for kids and adults of all ages. The activities include the following: school-involved programs, special "edzoocational" programs, zoo internships, animal-adoption, and volunteer work.

School programs

There are several programs available that include field trips, guided tours, educator workshops, and two-way internet video conferencing to bring the zoo to the classroom.

Edzoocational programs

The edzoocational programs are educational programs that are taught in a non-traditional way. These programs include over-night campouts at the zoo, scouting programs, birthday parties, and on-site speakers.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Henry Doorly Zoo.
  1. ^ a b c d http://www.omahazoo.com/information/index.asp?page=/information/animals.htm retrieved November 5, 2006
  2. ^ http://www.omahazoo.com/information/index.asp?page=/information/information.htm
  3. ^ http://www.visitomaha.com/vandr/Itineraries.aspx
  4. ^ http://www.omahazoo.com/information/history/index.asp?page=/information/history/history1.htm
  5. ^ http://www.omahazoo.com/visitors/index.asp?page=/visitors/fees.htm
  6. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20050307183529/www.omahazoo.com/visitors/index.asp?page=/visitors/fees.htm
  7. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20040402004356/www.omahazoo.com/visitors/index.asp?page=/visitors/fees.htm
  8. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20030203233449/www.omahazoo.com/visitors/index.asp?page=/visitors/fees.htm
  9. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20020805020739/www.omahazoo.com/visitors/index.asp?page=/visitors/fees.htm
  10. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20010420173527/www.omahazoo.com/visitors/index.asp?page=/visitors/fees.htm
  11. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/19990210112102/www.omahazoo.com/admit.htm
  12. ^ a b c d http://www.omahazoo.com/exhibits/index.asp?page=exhibits/jungle.htm
  13. ^ a b http://www.omahazoo.com/exhibits/index.asp?page=exhibits/aquarium.htm
  14. ^ a b c http://www.omahazoo.com/exhibits/index.asp?page=exhibits/desertdome.htm
  15. ^ http://www.omahazoo.com/exhibits/index.asp?page=exhibits/kon.htm
  16. ^ a b c http://www.omahazoo.com/exhibits/index.asp?page=exhibits/catcomplex.htm
  17. ^ http://www.omahazoo.com/exhibits/index.asp?page=exhibits/bears.htm
  18. ^ a b http://www.omahazoo.com/ccr/index.asp?page=/ccr/main.htm
  19. ^ Edward E. Louis, Melissa S. Coles, Rambinintsoa Andriantompohavana, Julie A. Sommer, Shannon E. Engberg, John R. Zaonarivelo, Mireya I. Mayor, Rick A. Brenneman (2006). "Revision of the Mouse Lemurs (Microcebus) of Eastern Madagascar". International Journal of Primatology. 27 (2): 347–389. doi:10.1007/s10764-006-9036-1.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ Three new lemurs take a bow in Madagascar - Reuters News Release
  21. ^ Three New Lemurs Discovered, Add to Madagascar's Diversity, National Geographic News, June 26, 2006.

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