Oakland Zoo: Meerkat Den Webcam
Oakland Zoo: Meerkat Den Webcam
Oakland Zoo: Meerkat Den – Meerkat Den at the Oakland Zoo
Oakland Zoo, in the past known as the Knowland Zoo, is a zoo located in southeastern Oakland, California, United States. Oakland Zoo is relatively small for a city of its size, but it contains modern exhibits. Many of its animals are kept in relatively “natural” habitats, and expanded natural habitats are planned. The newly completed Valley Children’s Zoo is a good example of where the zoo is headed, with interactive exhibits, state of the art animal housing facilities and children’s play areas. The Zoo is nationally known for its excellent elephant exhibit and has been praised for allowing their elephants to roam freely.
Naturalist Henry A. Snow established the Oakland Zoo in 1922 on 19th St and Harrison St in downtown Oakland. Snow Park now occupies the site of the Zoo’s first home. Over the years the zoo relocated several times: to Sequoia Park, Joaquin Miller Park and finally in 1939 to Durant Park. Under Joseph R. Knowland, Chairman of the California State Park Commission, California purchased the land and in 1950 renamed the park to Joseph Knowland State Arboretum and Park.[2] The East Bay Zoological Society (EBZS), founded in 1936 by Henry Snow’s son, Sidney, has had a long relationship with the Oakland Zoo. At the time of its founding, EBZS was known as the Alameda County Botanical and Zoological Society.
Although EBZS has always been involved with zoo projects and operations to some extent, it was not until after major development of the zoo from 1958-1965 that the EBZS’s role increased dramatically. Through their efforts, money was raised to develop the African Veldt (1965), the Australian Outback (1975) and the original tiger exhibit (1980). In 1977, the EBZS purchased the food, rides and Children’s Zoo concessions.
In 1982 the EBZS entered into an agreement with the City of Oakland to manage the zoo and develop it under non-profit status. The zoo has flourished since that time. In 1985, Joel Parrott, DVM, was hired as Executive Director of the Oakland Zoo. Many new exhibits have been created, including those for the Hamadryas Baboons and the Chimpanzees. A new, spacious elephant exhibit was built in 1987. The current sun bear exhibit was finished in 1995 and was featured on Animal Planet “Ultimate Zoos.” The White-Handed Gibbons now live on a lush island in the heart of the Rainforest. The African Savanna, with giraffes, camels, lions, elephants, meerkats, hyenas and more was completed in 1998.
The Education Center opened its new doors in 1999 with the new main entrance following soon after in summer 2001 (see picture). In autumn of 2001, a new Squirrel Monkey exhibit opened along with a larger, newly renovated Tiger exhibit. In the spring of 2007, the four dromedary camels were moved to a larger, fenced enclosure uphill from their old enclosure.
During 2009, as a result of the recession, EBZS’ revenues have declined and EBZS has been forced to seek subsidies from the City of Oakland. The City has also placed several “zoo keepers” directly on its payroll. The City of Oakland has a tree preservation ordinance, requiring that anyone wanting to cut down or severely trim a mature tree on private property obtain a permit from the City. During 2009, it has been repeatedly alleged that EBZS’ employees have surreptitiously cut down more than 300 trees throughout the city, from public and private property, in order to provide “snack food” for the zoo’s giraffes and elephants, in the form of green, new growth tree branches which EBZS cannot otherwise afford to purchase from commercial sources.
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