Timeline: A History of the Little Rock Zoo

A timeline of the Little Rock Zoo:

1926	The Little Rock Zoo (LRZ) is founded as part of the Little Rock Parks and Sanitation department.
1945	Considered an educational tool for the community, LRZ becomes a part of the Department of Parks and Recreation.
1947	More than 5,000 people attend Ruth the Elephant’s 34th birthday party. A 1,000-pound, 13-tier cake is made for the occasion.

Credit: Little Rock Zoo

1952

LRZ acquires Big Arkie, the largest captive alligator in the United States. Big Arkie is captured outside of Hope and spends the night in the city’s public kiddie pool before being transferred to the zoo.

Credit: Little Rock Zoo

1954

Ellen the elephant is purchased as a companion for Ruth. When her train arrives in downtown Little Rock, Ellen breaks out of her crate and is allowed to roam around Union Station until her handlers pick her up.

Credit: Little Rock Zoo

1957	LRZ becomes the most popular facility in the parks system with 200,000 annual visitors.
1962	The I-630 ramp is built, cutting off plans for southern expansion.

(Slide the bar to see I-630 and the Little Rock Zoo from the 1960s to today!)

1966	Animal Welfare Act is passed. LRZ begins to move away from cages and focus on recreating natural habitats.
1971	The Big Three project is completed, adding Monkey Island, Chimpanzee Island and the Exotic Birdhouse.
1972	LRZ hosts groundbreaking ceremony for a nursery donated by the Civitan Club.
1975	Friends of the Zoo, the zoo’s first membership program, is formed to foster education, volunteer work and fundraising. LRZ Docent program is formed.
1978	LRZ briefly changes its name to Zoo of Arkansas. The new name never sticks, and is changed back three years later.
1980	Bring Down the Bars campaign begins efforts to remove animals from barred cages.
1981	LRZ implements its first admission fee: $1 for adults and 50 cents for children.
1982	The Big Cats exhibit opens to the public.
1985	AAZPA awards accreditation to the LRZ.
1988	The Great Apes exhibit opens to the public.

Credit: Dean Wheeler

1992

The first Boo at the Zoo event is held.

1997	Lemur Island opens.
1998	LRZ loses its AAZPA accreditation.
1999	The Zoo Board of Governors is created and the zoo becomes a stand-alone city dept.
2001	LRZ regains accreditation.
2003	The Arkansas Zoological Foundation is created.
2006	First Wild Wines event is held.
	Café Africa opens, a new entry plaza is built, and new gorilla structures are introduced.