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Peoria Zoo

Coordinates: 40°42′56″N 89°34′27″W / 40.715477°N 89.574194°W / 40.715477; -89.574194
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Peoria Zoo
Peoria Zoo logo
Map
40°42′56″N 89°34′27″W / 40.715477°N 89.574194°W / 40.715477; -89.574194
Date opened1955 [1]
LocationPeoria, Illinois
Land area14 acres (5.7 ha) [2]
No. of animals232 [4]
No. of species>100 [3]
MembershipsAZA[5]
Public transit accessBus transport CityLink
Websitewww.peoriazoo.org

The Peoria Zoo (formerly Glen Oak Zoo) is a zoo located in Peoria, Illinois, in the United States. The zoo is owned and operated by the Peoria Park District and is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Years Day.[6]

The Peoria Zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 1976.[1]

History

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Glen Oak Zoo was founded in the late 1800s.[7] A herd of elk was donated to the Peoria Park District.[7] Glen Oak Zoo's dedication took place in 1897.[8]

In 1955, the zoo sought to expand its offerings. Marlin Perkins, Director of the St. Louis Zoo and star of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom gave advice.[7][9] The Tropics building was constructed in 1955.[10]

Friends of Glen Oak Zoo was formed in 1970.[7]

In 1997, the Peoria Zoological Society was formed.[7][11]

In 2009, the zoo opened the new Africa exhibit, nearly doubling its size.[2][7][12] At the same time it changed its name to "Peoria Zoo."

Exhibits

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Africa

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The Africa exhibit opened in 2009 after more than a decade of planning and two and a half years of construction. In this exhibit, the visitors walk around the main area on a boardwalk, and can see across the entire expanse of the enclosure. The main area is divided into two sections, the northern section containing giraffes and gazelles, and the southern section being home to zebras and rhinos. Lions have their own enclosure, as do the mandrills. red river hogs and colobus monkeys share a home, and the African crested porcupines and Aldabra giant tortoise also live together.[4][13]

The zoo's adult female Amur (Siberian) tiger, Kyra, mother of four cubs (two males—whose conservation plan called for them to eventually be relocated to other zoos—and two females), died suddenly on the evening of Sunday, August 18, 2013, of what preliminary was believed to be a serious acute infection that turned septic.[14][15] Kyra's mate Vaska, the male tiger, died in December 2016 at age 16.[16] Their two female cubs, Nikita and Sasha, still live at Peoria Zoo.[16] Their two male cubs, Maxim and Luka, moved to the Indianapolis Zoo.[16]

On November 3, 2023, the zoo announced its 18-year old male lion Arthur had been humanely euthanized due to lymphoma.[17] Arthur was born on September 9, 2005, and moved to Peoria Zoo on November 16, 2008, where he lived with his mate Lizzy.[17][18] Arthur and Lizzy were the original lions at the Africa exhibit.[18] The pair had four cubs in December 2015, who were moved to other zoos as part of the Species Survival Plan.[17] Female offpsring Nia, Zuri, and Kali moved to Audubon Zoo in New Orleans in March 2019.[19]

On May 1, 2024, the zoo’s male giraffe, Taji, was humanely euthanized after a broken foot.[20] The male giraffe was one of the original animals at the Africa exhibit in July 2007. He weighed over 2,300 pounds and lived to be almost 17 years old, surpassing the median life expectancy in captivity of 13.4 years.[20] Taji and his mate Vivian had two offspring, Finley in 2016 who lives at Lincoln Park Zoo, and Zara in 2018 who was transferred to Detroit Zoo.[20][21]

A small animal building houses smaller animals such as the zebra mouse, Zambian mole-rats, pancake tortoises, dung beetles, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, African rock pythons, Madagascar tree boas, and Taveta golden weavers.[22][23]

Australia Walkabout

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An exhibit that opened in 2012, home to a walkthrough exhibit for Bennett's wallabies and Parma wallabies, black swans and Emus and an aviary for Budgerigars.[24]

Asian Trail

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The smallest exhibit in the zoo, with three exhibits for Siberian tigers, Sichuan takins, and Reeves's Muntjacs.

Tropics Building

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Due to feedback from the Association of Zoo and Aquariums (AZA), the zoo is planning an estimated $5 million renovation of this facility.[10] More animals would have outdoor enclosures, such as Butch, the zoo's 50 year-old spider monkey.[10] The Tropics building used to house lions, tigers and jaguars, but they have moved to outdoor enclosures.[10]

The Tropics Building houses many species, including: greater spear-nosed bat, western hognose snake, Dumeril's ground boa, Mexican beaded lizard, desert blond tarantula, green tree python, New Caledonian giant gecko, Burmese python, red-footed tortoise, Standing's day gecko, cotton-top tamarin, Hoffman's two-toed sloth, mongoose lemur, northern tree shrew, ring-tailed lemur, cardinal tetra, firehead tetra, southern three-banded armadillo, and black-handed spider monkey.

Conservation Center

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The Conservation Center is a building for endangered species, mostly reptiles and amphibians such as: alligator snapping turtle, Colorado River toad, green and black poison dart frog, prehensile-tailed skink, Panamanian golden frog, Chinese alligator, and spotted turtle.

Contact Barn

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The Contact Barn is home to domestic donkeys, Nigerian dwarf goats, and koi.

Other facilities

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Glen Oak Pavilion

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The Glen Oak Pavilion building was designed by local architects William Reeves and John Baille.[25] Construction was completed in 1896 for a total cost of about $25,000.[25] The Victorian-style structure formerly served as a public shelter, an ice cream parlor and a dance hall. The Pavilion served as the Park District’s first multipurpose building.[25] Since 2015 it has been the home of the Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum.[26]

Zambezi River Lodge

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The Zambezi River Lodge overlooks the Africa exhibit. The facility provides concessions, and is also available for receptions and conferences.[27]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b "Our History". peoriazoo.org. Peoria Zoo. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  2. ^ a b Associated Press (5 June 2009). "Peoria Zoo finishes expansion project and is ready to open". connecttristates.com. ConnectTriStates.com. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  3. ^ "Our Animals". peoriazoo.org. Peoria Zoo. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  4. ^ a b Hatch, Danielle (3 June 2009). "Say Hello to Africa". pjstar.com. Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  5. ^ "List of Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  6. ^ "General Info". peoriazoo.org. Peoria Zoo. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  7. ^ a b c d e f "History". Peoria Zoo. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  8. ^ "Illinois' Oldest Park District Celebrates Century of Service". www.lib.niu.edu. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  9. ^ Harvey, Judy (2019-07-18). "Visitors don't take Peoria Zoo for granted - Chronicle Media". chronicleillinois.com. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  10. ^ a b c d Schopp, Collin (2024-04-10). "Peoria Zoo prepares for re-accreditation inspection". WCBU Peoria. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  11. ^ "Peoria Zoological Society". Peoria Zoo. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  12. ^ "Peoria Zoo says hello to Africa". Canton Repository. 2009-06-04. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  13. ^ "Africa Map" (PDF). peoriazoo.org. Peoria Zoo. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 January 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  14. ^ Hilyard, Scott (2013-08-19). "Peoria Zoo tiger Kyra dies after brief illness".
  15. ^ "Peoria Zoo tiger dies of fungal infection". WCBU Peoria. 2013-08-28. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  16. ^ a b c Kaergard, Chris (2016-12-14). "Peoria Zoo's male Amur tiger Vaska dies at age 16". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  17. ^ a b c Lisitza, Sean (2023-11-03). "Peoria Zoo announces death of its lion, Arthur". CIProud. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  18. ^ a b Bullock, JJ (2023-11-03). "Peoria Zoo 'icon' euthanized at 18 years old". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  19. ^ McHugh, Kristin (2019-03-14). "Three Peoria Zoo Lions Move to New Orleans". WCBU Peoria. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  20. ^ a b c Godby, Sam (2024-05-01). "Peoria Zoo mourns loss of male Giraffe". CIProud.com. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  21. ^ Koonce, Tanya (2016-07-29). "The Stork Visits The Peoria Zoo". WCBU Peoria. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  22. ^ Beard, Sienna (May–June 2009). "Visit Africa without Leaving Peoria". peoriamagazines.com. Peoria magazine. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  23. ^ "Africa". peoriazoo.org. Peoria Zoo. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  24. ^ HILYARD, SCOTT. "Australia Walk-About exhibit opens at Peoria Zoo". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
  25. ^ a b c "List of Historic Resources". Peoria Park District. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  26. ^ "Who We Are". The Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  27. ^ "Zambezi River Lodge". peoriazoo.org. Peoria Zoo. Archived from the original on 12 April 2009. Retrieved 24 July 2010.

References

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