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Girafas em Cameron Park Zoo

Endereço: Cameron Park Zoo – 1701 N. 4th Street – Waco – Texas
GraceF@ci.waco.tx.us – www.zooweb.net/links/redirect.asp?linkid=420

You’ll find many rare species living together at the Cameron Park Zoo, the nation’s newest natural habitat zoo, located in Waco, Texas. At the zoo, you’ll see antelope run with giraffes as they would in the wild of the African Savannah.

In 1955, a group of outdoor sports and wildlife enthusiasts established the Central Texas Zoological Park to create recreation and educational opportunities for Central Texas residents through the observation of natural wildlife.

To accomplish this task, the founders of the Central Texas Zoological Park procured approximately 30 animals with which to develop various exhibits. Through the efforts of these and other concerned individuals throughout the community, the Zoological Park expanded its exhibit from 58 live specimens to over 200 species representing about 400 specimens.

In 1964, the zoo added a new reptile house with 36 exhibits. In 1967, a duck pond was added and in 1968, an elephant display was added. The next additions came in 1976, with a kitchen, nursery,veterinary clinic, and educational building. In 1982, a nocturnal bat display was added and in 1983, an aquarium was added to the reptile house.

A master plan was developed in 1981 to build a new Zoological Park on a 51 acre site in Cameron Park. Cameron Park is a 500 acre park located about five miles from the old zoo location. The new zoo is along the Brazos River, above the flood plain, one mile from downtown Waco and the Interstate 35.

A County-wide bond issue was passed in 1989 for $9.6 million to build the new Cameron Park Zoo. In 1990, Design Consortium, Ltd., was hired to update our master plan and design our new zoo. We received an additional $400,000 for a water diversion project bringing our total monies to $10 million. Central Texas Zoo was closed in June of 1993.

The Cameron Park Zoo was completed in 1993 and opened to the public July 18, 1993. The Cameron Park Zoo has 20 paved walkways throughout with natural habitat displays for African hoofstock, rhinos, elephants, flamingos and assorted birds. Cameron Park Zoo also has two restaurants, a gift shop, Gibbon Island, and a Sumatran display with live plants and waterfalls.

There is an eagle aviary, Texas Longhorn exhibit, a Texas Ranch House which is used as an educational facility, a contact corral and a white-tail deer, turkey and javelina display. All animals are put up at night in night houses except the eagles. We have a vet clinic, kitchen, and a maintenance building located away from visitor areas. Animals can be serviced and night houses can be cleaned from a service road behind exhibits hidden from public view.

In 1997, with $1.3 million in interest earned from the original $9.6 million bond, a state of art Herpetarium was built. This unique interactive, immersion display, houses over 50 species of animals. This display increased attendance by more than 20%. Just down from the Herpetarium, an interactive play area was constructed for children. The play area is nature focused including a zero-depth splash fountain. The following year, a $600,000 African Lion display was built thanks to the family of Sam "Jack" McGlasson. This display was built with the idea of participating in the African Lion SSP (Species Survival Plan).

In 2000, the Zoological Society committed $350,000 to build a mixed South American display, "El Rey de la Montana", this exhibit holds five species of mammals, two species of reptiles and six species of birds. The featured animal of this display is the King Vulture. The Cameron Park Zoo is the most prolific breeder of this species in the United States. Also in 2000, the Zoological Society committed $400,000 to build a Lemur Island to be built near the Gibbon Island on our lake.

On November 7, 2000, the residents of McLennnan County approved $9.5 million bond package for continued expansion of Cameron Park Zoo. The bond money is committed to build our signature display, Brazos River Country. It will be an educational display combining 120 species of indigenous wildlife found along the Brazos River from the Gulf of Mexico to its origin in New Mexico. The display will involve seven vegetation zones in natural habitat displays. Additionally, the funds will be used to bring Orangutans to Central Texas and build an addition to our Sumatran Tiger display.

All of this history and positive growth is possible due to the unique working relationship between the Zoological Society, the City of Waco, and McLennan County. The County has agreed that they will remain open to the issue of calling for bond elections while the City is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Zoo. The Zoological Society operates concessions, membership and development and manages the zoo in a cooperative management agreement with the City. The zoo director is employed by the society to manage a City department.

Neste zoo existem girafas da subespécie? (Giraffa camelopardalis ??? ).

Última atualização: 26/01/2009.