San Diego Wild Animal Park 36901 225290973 2008-07-12T22:33:42Z 96.255.23.204 /* Attractions at the Wild Animal Park */ {{Infobox zoo |zoo_name=San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park |image=San Diego Wild Animal Park sign.jpg |image_caption=Sign inside the park |date_opened=1972 |location=[[San Pasqual Valley, San Diego, California|San Pasqual Valley]], [[San Diego]], [[California]], [[United States|USA]] |area=1800 [[acre]]s (2.8 [[square miles|mi²]]) |coordinates={{coor dms|33|5|58.96|N|117|00|05.46|W|type:landmark_scale:2500}} |num_animals=3000 |num_species=400 |members=[[Association of Zoos and Aquariums|AZA]] |website=http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wap/index.html }} The '''San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park''' is a [[zoo]] in the [[San Pasqual Valley, San Diego, California|San Pasqual Valley]] area of [[San Diego, California]]. It is one of the largest tourist attractions in the city and Southern [[California]]. The Park houses a large array of wild and endangered animals including species from the continents of [[Africa]], [[Asia]], [[Europe]], [[North America|North]] and [[South America]], and [[Australia]]. The park is in a semi-arid environment, based around Nairobi village in Kenya, and one of its most notable features is the Journey into Africa tram which explores the expansive African exhibits. These free-range enclosures house such animals as [[cheetah]]s, [[antelope]]s, [[lion]]s, [[giraffe]]s, [[okapi]]s, [[elephant]]s, [[zebra]]s, [[Przewalski's horse]]s, [[rhinoceros|rhinos]], and [[bonobo]]s. The park is also noted for its [[California condor]] breeding program, the most successful program in the country. The Park, visited by 2 million people annually, has an area of 1,800 [[acre]]s (7 km²) and, in 2005, housed 3000 animals of more than 400 species plus 3,500 species of unique plants. Depending on the season, the park has about 400 to 600 employees. The park is also Southern California's quarantine center for zoo animals imported into the United States through San Diego. The San Diego Wild Animal Park has the world's largest veterinary hospital. Next door to the hospital is the Center for Research on Endangered Species which holds the park's [[Frozen Zoo]]. Both the park and the [[San Diego Zoo]] are run by the [[Zoological Society of San Diego]]. The Wild Animal Park is 32 miles (51 km) away from the zoo, at 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road east of [[Escondido, California]] along [[SR 78 (CA)|SR 78]]. ==Park History== The San Diego Zoological Society became interested in developing the Wild Animal Park in 1964. The idea of the park began as a supplementary breeding facility for the San Diego Zoo, which would allow ample space for large animals and [[ungulate]]s. The development proposed would differ significantly from that of a typical zoo in that animals would be exhibited in a natural environment rather than in cages. In 1964 the park was assessed financially and then moved onto the next phase; this resulted in three alternative developments. There was an idea for a conservation farm, a game preserve, and a natural environment zoo. The natural environment zoo development was chosen over the conservation farm and game preserve even though financially it was the most expensive. The estimated initial cost was $1,755,430.00.<ref>Article: San Diego Wild Animal Park, by Sandy Harriger; http://history.sandiego.edu/GEN/USPics/zoo/wildanimalpark3.html</ref> The main purposes of this zoo would be species conservation, breeding of animals for the San Diego Zoo as well as other zoos and providing areas where zoo animals could be conditioned. When it came to naming the park, five titles were considered: San Diego Animal Land, San Diego Safari Land, San Diego Wild Animal Safari, San Diego Wildlife Park and The San Diego Wild Animal Park.<ref>Article: San Diego Wild Animal Park, by Sandy Harriger; http://history.sandiego.edu/GEN/USPics/zoo/wildanimalpark3.html</ref> The scheduled opening day of the park was set for [[April 1]], [[1972]], however the gates did not open until Wednesday [[May 10]], [[1972]].<ref>Article: San Diego Wild Animal Park, by Sandy Harriger; http://history.sandiego.edu/GEN/USPics/zoo/wildanimalpark3.html</ref> The general layout of the park, designed by Charles Faust, included a large lagoon with a jungle plaza, an African fishing village, an aviary at the entrance of the park and approximately 50,000 plants were to be included in the landscaping.<ref>Article: San Diego Wild Animal Park, by Sandy Harriger; http://history.sandiego.edu/GEN/USPics/zoo/wildanimalpark3.html</ref> Although the park was scheduled to open in three years from the time of the ground breaking, the total development of the park was estimated to take ten years. The first two animals to arrive at the park were the Nilgai, an antelope from the plains of North India, and the black and white striped Grant, a native zebra to East Africa.<ref>Article: San Diego Wild Animal Park, by Sandy Harriger; http://history.sandiego.edu/GEN/USPics/zoo/wildanimalpark3.html</ref> The [[California wildfires of October 2007]] that officially started on [[October 21]], [[2007]], threatened the park and caused it to temporarily close. The park also moved many of their endangered animals out of danger. However, a [[clapper rail]] and [[kiang]] died because of complications. The situation stabilized by the end of November. ==Attractions at the Wild Animal Park== [[Image:WAP Nairobi.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Nairobi Village at the Wild Animal Park]] The park's most famous and popular exhibits are the open-range enclosures. Visitors are taken on a tram tour to view various [[habitats]] representing the [[Euro-Asian Steppe|Asian Plains]], [[East Africa]] (the largest of the enclosures; it alone is larger than the [[San Diego Zoo]]), North Africa, Asian Waterhole, [[Southern Africa]], and the [[Mountain]] Habitat. A number of smaller enclosures visible only from the tram are home to [[Grevy's Zebra|Grevy's zebras]], [[Somali Wild Ass|Somali wild asses]], [[kiang]]s (one of the world's only captive populations of this endangered wild [[equine]]), [[Arabian oryx]], [[goral]]s, [[Japanese Serow|Japanese serows]], [[Black Rhinoceros|black rhinoceroses]], [[bonobo]]s, and [[Przewalski's Horse|Przewalski's wild horses]]. Species of note in the open enclosures include two subspecies of [[giraffe]], [[rhinoceros|rhino]]s (the wild animal park has the world's most successful breeding program for [[Southern White Rhinoceros|Southern white rhinos]] and is the only New World zoo to have [[Northern White Rhinoceros|Northern white rhinos]]; [[Indian Rhinoceros|Indian rhinos]] are also on display), [[gaur]], [[vultures]], [[Cape Buffalo|Cape buffalo]], [[markhor]] [[sheep]], and many species of [[antelope]], [[gazelle]], wild cattle, and [[deer]]. The park formerly operated a [[monorail]] line, the Wgasa Bush Line, which ran through the wild animal park. The name of the monorail was chosen by chief designer Chuck Faust, and is an acronym short for "who gives a shit anyway."<ref>http://www.snopes.com/business/names/wgasa.asp</ref> The Monorail line has been retired, partially due to high maintenance costs, and in March 2007 the new Journey into Africa attraction opened. The Journey into Africa tour brings visitors eye to eye with wildlife from different parts of Africa. In addition, another route is planned to bring visitors through the Asian field exhibits and into eight new ones that will house a variety of African animals from [[rock hyrax]] to Hartmann's mountain zebras. The Journey into Africa tour utilizes a wheeled tram that runs on biofuel instead of a monorail, and, unlike the monorail, the attraction now costs extra. As well as the tram, the park has also added a tethered balloon ride that takes visitors high in the air for a bird's eye view of the exhibits. The San Diego Wild Animal Park's Nairobi Village houses numerous exhibits for smaller animals. Among these are [[meerkats]], [[pudu]], an [[African]] [[Aviary]], [[lemurs]], [[flamingos]], [[babirusa]], [[red river hog]]s, and [[bee eater]]s. A large [[lagoon]] is home to numerous species of waterfowl, among them [[shoebill stork]]s. Lorikeet Landing and Hidden Jungle display feedable [[Lories and lorikeets]], and [[butterflies]], respectively. Also, there is a nursery where visitors can watch baby animals being hand-reared as well as a nearby petting [[corral]]. Finally, a [[gorilla]] habitat houses a troop of [[Western Lowland Gorilla|Western lowland gorillas]]. Condor Ridge displays endangered [[North America]]n [[desert]] [[wildlife]]. The featured species are [[California Condor|California condors]] (the wild animal park was the key force in the recovery effort for these birds and this is the only place in the world where the public can see them in captivity) and [[desert bighorn sheep]]. Other species displayed include aplomado falcons, thick billed parrots, [[prairie dogs]], [[black footed ferret]]s, [[magpies]], and [[desert tortoise]]s. [[Image:African lions at SD WAP.jpg|right|thumb|300px|African lions with cubs sitting on top of a converted landrover located at the Lion Camp exhibit]] Heart of Africa is one of the park's feature exhibits. Visitors go down a trail which replicates changing life zones in [[Africa]]. Since a real African trail would have no signs, visitors instead get information about the animals encountered from a booklet they receive at the exhibit entrance. The exhibit begins with [[scrubland|scrub]] animals - [[vulture]]s, [[Lesser Kudu|lesser kudu]], and [[Giant Eland|giant eland]]. It then progresses to [[forest]] ([[okapi]], [[duiker]]s, and [[Wattled Crane|wattled cranes]]). It showcases [[plains]] animals - [[bontebok]], [[warthog]]s, [[ground hornbill]]s, [[cheetah]]s, and a research camp) against a backdrop of the open-range [[East Africa]] exhibit. There is a [[giraffe]] feeding station where visitors can purchase biscuits to feed the giraffes. A central lagoon displays lesser and greater [[flamingo]]s, [[waterfowl]], and an island with [[colobus]] monkeys. The San Diego Wild Animal Park is also noted for its extensive [[botanical gardens]], many of which are their own attractions separate from the animal exhibits. On June 21st a new baby giraffe was born at the park. Here are photos taken minutes after the birth as the baby lay on the ground and attempts to stand up.<ref>[http://fairmeadowhoa.com/sandiego/Page3.html</ref> The San Diego Wild Animal Park now also features the [[SpongeBob SquarePants 4-D]] ride which costs extra. ==References== * {{cite book | author=Myers, Douglas | title=Mister Zoo: The Life and Legacy of Dr. Charles Schroeder: The World-Famous San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park's Legendary Director| publisher=The Zoological Society of San Diego| year=1999 | id=ISBN 0-911461-15-9}} <references/> ==External links== *[http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wap/index.html San Diego Wild Animal Park] {{Geolinks-US-streetscale|33.099703|-117.001525}} {{Zoos of California}} {{Zoos}} [[Category:Visitor attractions in San Diego|Wild Animal Park]] [[Category:Zoos in California]] [[Category:1972 establishments]] [[de:San Diego Wild Animal Park]] [[no:San Diego Wild Animal Park]] [[simple:San Diego Wild Animal Park]]