An exposition’s legacy
When the Panama–California Exposition of 1915 closed, it left animals behind in Balboa Park. Dr Harry M. Wegeforth set out to give them a home, and the Zoological Society of San Diego first met on 2 October 1916.
Moats instead of bars
In 1921 land in Balboa Park was set aside for the zoo, and the move began in 1922. That year the zoo opened its first lion area without enclosing wire, the start of the open, moated habitats it became known for.
Science and conservation
In 1975 the zoo founded its Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species, which became the Institute for Conservation Research in 2009. The non-profit San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance also runs the Safari Park near Escondido.
