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Smithsonian's National Zoo -- 125 Years
1886: After witnessing the near extinction of bison, scientist William Hornaday works with the Smithsonian to create a national zoo.
1889: President Grover Cleveland signs a bill to establish the National Zoo for the purpose of saving animals from extinction.
1891: The National Zoo officially opens to the public.
1892: The Zoo's first permanent building is completed, housing almost all the animals. It later becomes the Lion House.
1937: The Zoo unveils a new Elephant House. Fully updated in 2013, it becomes to Elephant Community Center.
1939: The Zoo turns 50 as World War II breaks out in Europe. The Zoo does its part as keepers and other employees go to war.
1950: Rescued from a blaze, Smokey Bear becomes a living symbol of the United State's [sic] campaign to prevent forest fires and comes to live at the Zoo.
1958: Concerned Washingtonians form Friends of the National Zoo to raise funds for much-needed repairs.
1972: The Zoo pioneers a program to breed golden lion tamarins and reintroduce them to the rainforests of Brazil.
1972: First Lady Pat Nixon formally welcomes giant pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, gifts from the People's Republic of China. Panda mania ensues!
1973: The Zoo acquires 3,200 acres in Virginia to study and save rare species, known today as the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.
1988: The Zoo helps black-footed ferrets rebound from near extinction. Today more than 1,000 live in the wild.
1991: The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center opens and soars to international prominence for its research and conservation work.
1992: Komodo dragons hatch at the Zoo, for the first time ever outside Indonesia.
1999: Zoo researchers spearhead efforts to combat chytrid, a deadly fungus that threatens one-third of amphibian species.
2001: Kandula, a male Asian elephant, is born. His birth reflects Zoo scientists' growing understanding of elephant reproduction.
2005: Tai Shan is born. He becomes the first giant panda cub in Zoo history to live into adulthood.
2012: The Smithsonian Mason School of Conservation, a partnership between the Zoo and George Mason University, opens to the first class of students.
2013: Bao Bao is born. She is the Zoo's second healthy giant panda cub, and growing strong! |