Alameda Park Zoo
Encyclopedia
Alameda Park Zoo, located in Alamogordo, New Mexico
, was founded in 1898 and claims to be the oldest zoo in the Southwestern United States
. It is one of three AZA
-accredited zoos in New Mexico
and participates in the Species Survival Plan
for the Mexican Gray Wolf.
the White Sands pupfish
, the Mexican Gray Wolf, the Hawaiian Goose
, and the Markhor
goat.
The zoo is a Species Survival Plan
Captive Facility
for the Mexican Gray Wolf, and in 2006 there were two wolves resident in the zoo. Three Mexican Gray Wolf pups were born at the zoo in 1994, and seven in 1995.
The zoo receives birds of prey that have been injured and heals them. If the birds are well enough to return to the wild they are released, otherwise they are kept in the zoo.
Some special exhibits include a lemur
exhibit,
a birds of prey exhibit,
and a butterfly garden.
Several programs operate in the Educational Center, including an Eco-Ranger Junior Zookeeper program.
The center is also open to the public for viewing videos and reading books from the collection. Some animals are housed in the center.
Alameda Park Zoo is accredited through March 2011 by Association of Zoos and Aquariums
. It is one of about 220 zoos to hold AZA accreditation, and one of only three in New Mexico (the other two are Albuquerque Biological Park
and Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park
in Carlsbad).
In the early days the zoo received gifts of exotic pets such as raccoons, skunks and birds from local residents.
Cages in the early days were made of chain-link fencing, and these were gradually replaced beginning in the 1970s and 1980s.
The zoo went into decline in the 1970s, and in an 1987 interview the zoo director said that in the mid-70s "the zoo was a dilapidated menagerie". The zoo had become a hangout for loiterers and drug dealers, and the city was faced with a decision to either shut down the zoo or upgrade it. They chose to upgrade, and a perimeter fence was added in 1986 to control access.
The zoo is sometimes claimed to be the "oldest zoo west of the Mississippi". However, there are several older zoos, including
Even the more modest claim that Alameda Park Zoo is the oldest zoo in the Southwestern United States
depends on the definition of Southwest, as Denver and Dallas are sometimes considered to be in the Southwest.
Alamogordo, New Mexico
Alamogordo is the county seat of Otero County and a city in south-central New Mexico, United States. A desert community lying in the Tularosa Basin, it is bordered on the east by the Sacramento Mountains. It is the nearest city to Holloman Air Force Base. The population was 35,582 as of the 2000...
, was founded in 1898 and claims to be the oldest zoo in the Southwestern United States
Southwestern United States
The Southwestern United States is a region defined in different ways by different sources. Broad definitions include nearly a quarter of the United States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah...
. It is one of three AZA
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums was founded in 1924 and is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and public aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation.The AZA headquarters is located in Silver...
-accredited zoos in New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
and participates in the Species Survival Plan
Species Survival Plan
The American Species Survival Plan or SSP program was developed in 1981 by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to help ensure the survival of selected species in zoos and aquariums, most of which are threatened or endangered in the wild....
for the Mexican Gray Wolf.
Features
Notable species at the zoo includethe White Sands pupfish
White Sands pupfish
The White Sands pupfish is a species of fish in the Cyprinodontidae family. It is endemic to the Tularosa Basin in southern New Mexico, in the Western United States. They are only found in two springs and two small streams in southwestNew Mexico. They are found nowhere else in the world.The White...
, the Mexican Gray Wolf, the Hawaiian Goose
Hawaiian Goose
The Nene, also known as Nēnē and Hawaiian Goose, is a species of goose endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. The official bird of the state of Hawaii, the Nene is exclusively found in the wild on the islands of Maui, Kauai and Hawaii...
, and the Markhor
Markhor
The Markhor is a large species of wild goat that is found in northeastern Afghanistan, Pakistan , India, southern Tajikistan and southern Uzbekistan...
goat.
The zoo is a Species Survival Plan
Species Survival Plan
The American Species Survival Plan or SSP program was developed in 1981 by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to help ensure the survival of selected species in zoos and aquariums, most of which are threatened or endangered in the wild....
Captive Facility
for the Mexican Gray Wolf, and in 2006 there were two wolves resident in the zoo. Three Mexican Gray Wolf pups were born at the zoo in 1994, and seven in 1995.
The zoo receives birds of prey that have been injured and heals them. If the birds are well enough to return to the wild they are released, otherwise they are kept in the zoo.
Some special exhibits include a lemur
Lemur
Lemurs are a clade of strepsirrhine primates endemic to the island of Madagascar. They are named after the lemures of Roman mythology due to the ghostly vocalizations, reflective eyes, and the nocturnal habits of some species...
exhibit,
a birds of prey exhibit,
and a butterfly garden.
Several programs operate in the Educational Center, including an Eco-Ranger Junior Zookeeper program.
The center is also open to the public for viewing videos and reading books from the collection. Some animals are housed in the center.
Alameda Park Zoo is accredited through March 2011 by Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums was founded in 1924 and is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and public aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation.The AZA headquarters is located in Silver...
. It is one of about 220 zoos to hold AZA accreditation, and one of only three in New Mexico (the other two are Albuquerque Biological Park
Albuquerque Biological Park
The Albuquerque Biological Park is an environmental museum located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It contains four separate facilities:...
and Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park
Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park, formerly the Living Desert Zoological and Botanical State Park, is a zoo and botanical garden displaying plants and animals of the Chihuahuan Desert in their native habitats. It is located off U.S. Route 285 at the north edge of Carlsbad, New Mexico, at...
in Carlsbad).
History
The zoo was created in 1898 at its present location at the south end of Alameda Park to entertain train passengers while they waited for the train to refuel.In the early days the zoo received gifts of exotic pets such as raccoons, skunks and birds from local residents.
Cages in the early days were made of chain-link fencing, and these were gradually replaced beginning in the 1970s and 1980s.
The zoo went into decline in the 1970s, and in an 1987 interview the zoo director said that in the mid-70s "the zoo was a dilapidated menagerie". The zoo had become a hangout for loiterers and drug dealers, and the city was faced with a decision to either shut down the zoo or upgrade it. They chose to upgrade, and a perimeter fence was added in 1986 to control access.
The zoo is sometimes claimed to be the "oldest zoo west of the Mississippi". However, there are several older zoos, including
- Oregon ZooOregon ZooThe Oregon Zoo, formerly the Washington Park Zoo, is a zoo in Portland, the largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon. Located southwest of Downtown Portland, the zoo is inside Portland's Washington Park, and includes a narrow-gauge railway that connects to the International Rose Test Garden inside...
(founded 1887) - Dallas ZooDallas ZooDallas Zoo is a zoo located south of downtown Dallas, Texas in Marsalis Park. Established in 1888, it is the oldest and largest zoological park in Texas and is managed by the non-profit Dallas Zoological Society. The zoo is home to 1,800 animals representing 406 species...
(founded 1888), - Henry Doorly ZooHenry Doorly ZooThe Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo is a zoo in Omaha, Nebraska, located at 3701 South 10th Street.It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Its mission is conservation, research, recreation, and education.Omaha's Henry Doorly...
(OmahaOmahaOmaha may refer to:*Omaha , a Native American tribe that currently resides in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Nebraska-Places:United States* Omaha, Nebraska* Omaha, Arkansas* Omaha, Georgia* Omaha, Illinois* Omaha, Texas...
, founded 1894) - Denver ZooDenver ZooThe Denver Zoo is an facility located in City Park of Denver, Colorado, USA. Founded in 1896, it is owned by the City and County of Denver and funded in part by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District . It was the most popular paid attraction in the Denver metropolitan area in 2005.The...
(founded 1896)
Even the more modest claim that Alameda Park Zoo is the oldest zoo in the Southwestern United States
Southwestern United States
The Southwestern United States is a region defined in different ways by different sources. Broad definitions include nearly a quarter of the United States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah...
depends on the definition of Southwest, as Denver and Dallas are sometimes considered to be in the Southwest.