The Bronx Zoo

The Bronx Zoo first opened its gates to the public on November 8, 1899. At the time, the zoo had 22 exhibits and 843 animals. Only the outer structure of the World of Reptiles remains much as it was in 1899.

The protection and care of animals, both in the wild and at the zoo, has always been a priority. Although all species are important, snow leopards hold a special place in Bronx Zoo history. These beautiful and endangered cats were first exhibited at the zoo in 1903, making it the first zoo in the western hemisphere to exhibit them. Snow leopards have been successfully bred at the Bronx Zoo, with 82 cubs born between 1966 to 1999.

The snow leopard is just one of many animals under the care of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association’s Species Survival Plan (SSP). SSPs are cooperative breeding programs amongst zoos to help sustain captive populations of many endangered and threatened animals. Former WCS President and General Director, William Conway, was instrumental in developing the SSP program. In addition to snow leopards, the Bronx Zoo is also involved with SSPs for lowland gorillas, Chinese alligators, Mauritius pink pigeons, and over 40 other species.

The Bronx Zoo has always recognized the importance of educating the public. In 1929, the Bronx Zoo established the world’s first formal zoo education program. Over the years, the Education Department has received many awards for its science-based programs, which are geared towards teachers and children in grades K-12. Today, the education program reaches more than 1.7 million schoolchildren in the New York metropolitan area and in school systems in all 50 U.S. states and in 15 nations.

With cutting-edge exhibits such as the Congo Gorilla Forest, the Bronx Zoo has secured its place as one of the foremost zoos in the world.