Buffalo Zoo

Buffalo Zoo. Growing with the City. Menagerie to Habitat. The Buffalo Zoo, like other modern zoos, has become an educational facility that focuses on conservation and reproduction of endangered species. The Zoo has reintroduced some endangered animals to their native habitats. Today's institution represents a big change from early times when zoos were collections of unusual animals often kept in poor conditions.

1875 Elam R. Jewett (Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society) Owned the land at the corner of Jewett and Parkside Avenues that became the Buffalo Zoo. The Buffalo Zoo was started when two deer were donated to the city and Mr. Jewett agreed to house them on his spacious grounds. Soon they were joined by a flock of sheep, put there to keep the meadow mowed, and bison, elk and a cow.

1930s (Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society) The Works Progress Administration renovated the Zoo, building many of the natural stone structures that contributed to Delaware Park's nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.

Francis Crandall (Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society). Curator for 36 years, Crandall brought Big Frank, the elephant, to the Zoo and built the Elephant house that still stands today.

An Olmsted Park. The zoo is located in Delaware Park, a park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. For more on Olmsted, look for other Seaway Trail panels in Delaware Park.

2002. The Buffalo Zoo developed an exciting master plan to completely transform the Zoo with major new exhibits and visitor facilities. The core experience of the new zoo will be a series of realistic, immersive animal enclosures that take visitors on a journey around the world.

World of Water. The major organizing theme of the new zoo is "water." This theme was chosen because of water's historic importance to the City of Buffalo. The new exhibits enhance appreciation for animals, and their behaviors. Visitors will learn that all living plants, animals, and human cultures share the same world of water.

Zoo Timeline , 2002 Plans are developed for major new exhibits with theme of water. , 1980s Emphasis changes from numbers of animals to breeding and reproduction. , 1973 Zoological Society takes over zoo operations. , 1960s Gorillas arrive, Children's Zoo, Giraffe House, and Animal Hospital open. , 1942 Reptile House opened and declared finest in America. , 1938 Marlin Perkins hired as Curator, serves until 1944. , 1935 Works Progress Administration begins zoo redevelopment. , 1931 Zoological Society incorporated in midst of Great Depression. , 1912 Elephant House built for Big Frank. , 1901 First Elephant, Big Frank, arrives in time for Pan-American Exhibition. , 1898 Francis Crandall is hired as Curator. , 1895 First Zoo Curator, Frank J. Thompson, is hired, serves until 1898. , 1890 Bear pits created. Public awareness grows, many animals donated. , 1875 First permanent building. Buffalo Zoological Gardens established. , 1870 A pair of deer presented to the City of Buffalo., Cultural Heritage. Cultural Institutions were born along with Seaway Trail cities. , Seaway Trail, Inc. Corner Ray and West Main St., Sackets Harbor, NY 13685. www.seawaytrail.com America's Byways. This project was funded in part by the Federal Highway Administration and Administered by the New York State Scenic Byways Program of the New York State Department of Transportation and Seaway Trail, Inc.