The Alexandria Zoological Park was established in 1926 at Bringhurst Park near its present location. The park land was acquired in 1916 and named for Robert Wilton Bringhurst who served seven consecutive terms as Commissioner of Streets and Parks. Photographs dated in the early 1930’s reveal a linear menagerie of exhibits located between Bayou Hynson and the fairways of Bringhurst Golf Course. The cages were constructed of chain link fabric and iron bars with gravel, dirt or concrete floors. Little vegetation was planted near the exhibits, although the park had hundreds of large shade trees.
The only exhibits remaining from the 1930’s construction are the fish pools, now used for waterfowl habitats. One is located near the flamingo yard, next to Bringhurst Golf Course, and other is in the Louisiana Habitat Exhibit, formerly known as the “rock garden” because of the large boulders brought in when developing this area of the park. In the 1940’s additional cages were added, including a sea lion pool.
The Zoo’s animal collection began with discarded pets, such as rabbits, goats and deer. Although there is little documentation regarding the zoo’s beginning years, public comment has indicated that the zoo once housed a chimpanzee and buffalo.
As far as can be determined, the zoo changed very little until the late 1960’s or early 1970’s when it was threatened with closure by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. City Commissioner O’Hearn Mathews appointed the first zoo committee of concerned citizens. From this committee evolved Friends of the Alexandria Zoo (FOTAZ) under the direction of Mrs. Caroline Pitts and Dr. David McGraw, veterinarian for the Zoo. FOTAZ became involved in zoo improvements and a new zoo kitchen was built, which also served as the zoo office and included a small room for animal health care.
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1971-1973
>> The first full-time zookeeper was hired.
>> Alligator exhibit was built.
>> Friends of the Alexandria Zoo (FOTAZ) was incorporated.
>> Improvements included new cages for felines, new sewer system, closing of a ditch that ran through the center of the zoo, children’s petting zoo, bear exhibit, and deer pen.
1974-1976
>> The City of Alexandria hired a new zoo supervisor (Robert Leslie Whitt).
>> FOTAZ began education efforts.
>> The old 1930’s cages were replaced with round Behlen wire cages with heated dens for the animals.
>> Vietnam War Memorial and prairie dog exhibit were built.
1977-1979
>> The MacDonald’s Farm was remodeled, and sea lion exhibit was remodeled to house otters.
>> Voters turned down the recreation tax from which the Zoo could have gained $1 million for improvements.
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1980-1983
>>CETA workers and zoo employees modified the otter exhibit.
>> The Zoo activated the docent program.
>> The City of Alexandria received an Urban Land and Water Conservation Grant for additional perimeter fencing and a parking lot.
>> The Caroline Pitts Waterfowl Pond was dedicated on Zoo Day.
1984-1986
>>South American pond was renovated and decks added.
>> The zoo perimeter fence was expanded to include the property along Babe Ruth Dr.
>> In 1986 the Zoo was first accredited by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums.
>> The Alexandria Zoo celebrated its 60th birthday.
>> With the help of a $10,000 contribution from Cenla Lions Charities, the old YMCA camp building was renovated to become our education classroom at the Zoo.
>> Summer zoo classes for children were first held by volunteers and zoo staff.
>> The Alexandria Zoo became one of the first small zoos in the country to have an on-site animal health facility and veterinary technician on staff.
1987-1989
>> A new entrance, gift shop, and restrooms on Cotton Wright Drive were constructed.
>> The Zoo master plan was completed.
>> Red Wolf exhibit was constructed and the zoo made a commitment to the Red Wolf SSP.
>> Hibernia Pavilion was built.
>> The Japanese koi pond was constructed by FOTAZ.
>> The Zoo’s first education curator was hired.
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1990-1993
>> A new exhibit was built for Sumatran tigers and the Zoo became part of the Tiger SSP program.
>> Docent program was reactivated.
>> Zoo was accredited by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums.
>> Gibbon exhibit and walkways were built in the Asian section of the Zoo.
>> The zoo perimeter expanded 16 acres to include the ball fields along Babe Ruth Dr. , the old parks and recreation office, and the area along Bayou Hynson known as the Rock Garden.
>> A train ride was installed and the depot built.
>> The jaguar natural habitat exhibit and jungle walk were built.
>> A major fundraiser was initiated by FOTAZ for the Louisiana Habitat Exhibit.
>> Zoo parking lot was built.
1994-1996
>> The Zoo Explorer Post 2033 was established with 19 members.
>> The Zoo received funding from the State of Louisiana for the Louisiana Habitat Exhibit.
>> Phase I of the new zoo entrance on Masonic Drive was built and opened.
>> Construction began on the Louisiana Habitat Exhibit with sawmill replica.
>> Two zookeepers were added to the staff.
>> The Zoo celebrates its 70th birthday.
1997-1999
>> Playground was installed near the Education Building.
>> Major construction began on LA Habitat Exhibit, and it was opened to the public October 1998.
>> 18 registered for the first Zoo Biology class taught by LSUA professor at the Zoo.
>> Three Chilean flamingos hatched. New pay plan was implemented for City employees.
>> First annual Holiday Light Safari attracted over 13,000.
>> Two new zookeepers and a Mechanical Systems Technician were approved by City Council. LA Habitat Exhibit wins Louisiana Contractor Best of 1998 Award for public buildings.
>> Record attendance for the Zoo–204,269.
>> Zoo receives red brocket deer.
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2000-2001
>> Zoo received spectacled bear, Kirk’s dik dik antelope, Indochinese tigers, and black jaguar.
>> FOTAZ funded picnic pavilion and paved walkways in commons area.
>>First Girl Scout Day at the Zoo attracted 600.
>> David L. Manwarren Corp. drew the conceptual design for the African exhibit and revisited the 1988 Master Plan.
>> The maned wolf, porcupine, and marmoset exhibits were completed.
>> City Council approved the addition of a trades worker.
2002-2003
>> Zoo received AZA accreditation at the Regional Conference in Wichita, KS.
>> FOTAZ and the City funded the new Australian Walkabout, the Palm Café, and Phase I of the African Experience.
>> Animal acquisitions included anoas, cassowaries, African crested porcupines, dwarf crocodiles, red-flanked duikers, spur-winged geese, squirrel monkeys, spider monkeys, toco toucan, and howler monkeys.
>> Individual loans zoo seven Aldabra and Galapagos tortoises.
>> Opened Purple Heart Memorial in zoo parking area.
2004-2005
>> City gave Zoo two buildings and property (formerly John Eskew Training Center) to develop Education Center which opened for Summer Safari in 2005.
>> FOTAZ hired grants writer.
>> Zoo received funding for general operations from the State of Louisiana Dept. of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.
>> Through educational grant from The Rapides Foundation additional education employees were hired and Zoo School began.
>> New audio/visual equipment added to Education Building B.
>> Four other grants were received for specific projects.
>> Zoo suffered some structural and tree damage due to Hurricane Rita.
>> Cages were built to house education animals. Performing pavilion was modified and dressing rooms added.
2006-2007
>> City received funding from State of Louisiana for general operations.
>> Area 3 cages renovated for small mammals.
>> Zoo office was renovated.
>> Video department was added and videography intern hired.
>> The Zoo celebrates its 80th birthday.
>> Improvements made to spider monkey islands.
>> Quarantine building project completed.
>> African Eagle exhibit constructed.
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