San Diego Zoo, conceived by Dr. Harry Wegeforth, grew from the abandoned exotic animal exhibits after the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. A permanent tract of land in Balboa Park was set aside and the zoo opened in 1922. In addition to animals from the Exposition, the zoo acquired a menagerie from the defunct Wonderland Amusement Park. Publication of ZooNooz began in 1925. Belle Benchley, director from 1925-1953, was the only woman in the world to serve in this role. San Diego also was the first “cageless” zoo with moats surrounding the exhibits. Its outdoor avian house boasted the world’s largest bird cage. Discover more San Diego history in Tazia and Gemma (see NOVELS).
