Virginia Zoological Park
Encyclopedia
The Virginia Zoological Park is a 53 acres (21.4 ha) zoo
located adjacent to Lafayette Park in Norfolk, Virginia
, USA. The zoo opened in 1900, and was accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
(AZA) in 1987.
In 1974, the animal area is fenced off from the city park and named Lafayette Zoological Park. Though fenced off, residents of the nearby LaValette Street can see the zoo's elephants from their homes. Newcomers, unfamiliar with the fact that a zoo is in the location, sometimes called the police at the sight of elephants. Between 1974 and 1980, most of the zoo's old exhibits are renovated.
In 1974 the Friends of the Zoo is established to act as a support organization for the development of the zoo. In 1989 it is renamed as the Virginia Zoological Society and established as a non-profit organization.
In 1985, Lafayette Zoological Park is renamed the Virginia Zoological Park at Norfolk (commonly known as the Virginia Zoo). In 1987, the zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
(AZA).
In 1992, the Master Plan is adopted by City of Norfolk and Virginia Zoological Society. Plan includes zoogeographic vision of five continent expansion as well as erection of new Education Complex and Visitor Center. Plan includes exhibits of Africa
, North America
, Australia
, South America
and Asia
.
This exhibit was opened in 2011. It features animals from Asia, and nearly doubles the number of large animals at the zoo. Among the animals in this exhibit are Malayan tiger
s, Asian small-clawed otters, orangutan
s, siamang
s, Northern white-cheeked gibbons, Malayan tapir
s, binturong
s rhinoceros hornbills
, fairy-bluebird
s, azure-winged magpies
, and chestnut-breasted malkoha
. The exhibit includes a raised boardwalk over the "Asian forest", and a cave with views into the tier and orangutan exhibits. Another viewing area allows underwater views of the otters and tigers.
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
located adjacent to Lafayette Park in Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, USA. The zoo opened in 1900, and was accredited by the 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...
(AZA) in 1987.
History
In 1892, the City of Norfolk purchases the 65 acres (26.3 ha) that is currently occupied by Lafayette Park. In 1900, the park begins acquiring animals to exhibit, and by 1901 its collection exceeds 200 animals including mammals, birds and reptiles.In 1974, the animal area is fenced off from the city park and named Lafayette Zoological Park. Though fenced off, residents of the nearby LaValette Street can see the zoo's elephants from their homes. Newcomers, unfamiliar with the fact that a zoo is in the location, sometimes called the police at the sight of elephants. Between 1974 and 1980, most of the zoo's old exhibits are renovated.
In 1974 the Friends of the Zoo is established to act as a support organization for the development of the zoo. In 1989 it is renamed as the Virginia Zoological Society and established as a non-profit organization.
In 1985, Lafayette Zoological Park is renamed the Virginia Zoological Park at Norfolk (commonly known as the Virginia Zoo). In 1987, the zoo is accredited by the 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...
(AZA).
In 1992, the Master Plan is adopted by City of Norfolk and Virginia Zoological Society. Plan includes zoogeographic vision of five continent expansion as well as erection of new Education Complex and Visitor Center. Plan includes exhibits of Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
.
- In 1999, Part I of Phase I opened, including Gelada baboon habitat and Xaxaba African village and 100th Anniversary of Virginia Zoo and Lafayette Park
- In 2001, design for Master Plan Phase II: North America exhibit began
- In 2002, Part II of Phase I opened: African Okavango Delta exhibit, thus completing Phase I of the Master Plan
- In 2004, Part I of Phase II opened: Prairie dog habitat.
- In 2005, the zoo got its third elephant named Cita.
- In 2011, Part I of Phase IV opens: "Trail of the Tiger" exhibit opens with various fauna of IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Southeast AsiaSoutheast AsiaSoutheast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
.
Exhibits
Trail of the TigerThis exhibit was opened in 2011. It features animals from Asia, and nearly doubles the number of large animals at the zoo. Among the animals in this exhibit are Malayan tiger
Malayan Tiger
The Malayan tiger is a tiger subspecies that inhabits the southern and central parts of the Malay Peninsula and has been classified as endangered by IUCN in 2008 as the population was estimated at 493 to 1,480 adult individuals in 2003; none of the three subpopulations likely harbors more than 250...
s, Asian small-clawed otters, orangutan
Orangutan
Orangutans are the only exclusively Asian genus of extant great ape. The largest living arboreal animals, they have proportionally longer arms than the other, more terrestrial, great apes. They are among the most intelligent primates and use a variety of sophisticated tools, also making sleeping...
s, siamang
Siamang
The siamang is a tailless, arboreal, black-furred gibbon native to the forests of Malaysia, Thailand, and Sumatra. The largest of the lesser apes, the siamang can be twice the size of other gibbons, reaching 1 m in height, and weighing up to 14 kg...
s, Northern white-cheeked gibbons, Malayan tapir
Malayan Tapir
The Malayan Tapir , also called the Asian Tapir, is the largest of the four species of tapir and the only one native to Asia. The scientific name refers to the East Indies, the species' natural habitat...
s, binturong
Binturong
The Binturong , also known as the Asian Bearcat, the Palawan Bearcat, or simply the Bearcat, is a species of the family Viverridae, which includes the civets and genets. It is the only member of its genus...
s rhinoceros hornbills
Rhinoceros Hornbill
The Rhinoceros Hornbill, Buceros rhinoceros, is one of the largest hornbills, adults being approximately the size of a swan, 110-127 cm long and weighing 2-3 kg . The Rhinoceros Hornbill lives in captivity for up to 35 years...
, fairy-bluebird
Fairy-bluebird
The two fairy-bluebirds are small passerine bird species found in forests and plantations in tropical southern Asia and the Philippines. They are the sole members of the genus Irena and family Irenidae, and are related to the ioras and leafbirds.These are bulbul-like birds of open forest or thorn...
s, azure-winged magpies
Azure-winged Magpie
The Azure-winged Magpie is a bird in the crow family. It is 31–35 cm long and similar in overall shape to the European Magpie but is more slender with proportionately smaller legs and bill. It belongs to the monotypical genus Cyanopica.It has a glossy black top to the head and a white throat...
, and chestnut-breasted malkoha
Chestnut-breasted Malkoha
The Chestnut-breasted Malkoha is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family. Found in Southeast Asia from Myanmar through to eastern Java, the Philippines and Borneo, it is a large cuckoo measuring up to 49 cm with grey and dark green upperparts and chestnut underparts, and a large curved pale...
. The exhibit includes a raised boardwalk over the "Asian forest", and a cave with views into the tier and orangutan exhibits. Another viewing area allows underwater views of the otters and tigers.