| A Zoo to Be Proud Of Sedgwick County Zoo was
established by the volunteer efforts of civic-minded citizens
who formed the Sedgwick County Zoological Society in 1963, many
years before the Zoo would take shape. They lobbied the Sedgwick
County commissioners and through a petition succeeded in getting
a bond referendum on the ballot. After it passed in 1966, the
real work began. A visionary director, Ronald L. Blakely,
presented a master plan that was approved in 1969 and
construction began in earnest. When the American and Asian farms
opened as the only exhibits in 1971, families were pleased, but
they had little idea of the great things that were in store.
The Zoo has seen steady progress through the past three decades
with major exhibits opening every few years. The Jungle in 1977,
The South American Pampas and Australian Outback exhibits in
1980 and the Apes and Man Building in 1982 were a few of the
highlights. With Ronald L. Blakely’s retirement in 1991 and
selection of current Executive Director Mark C. Reed, a new era
of change was initiated. Major effort has gone into improving
the infrastructure of the Zoo and enhancing the existing
exhibits. New areas opened include the North American Prairie in
1993, the KOCH Orangutan and Chimpanzee Habitat in 1996, the
Oliver Animal Hospital and the Pride of the Plains, both in
2000. The Zoo Entrance received a facelift in 2002 and The
Downing Gorilla Forest opened to record setting crowds in 2004. |
