Blank Park Zoo Foundation - Happy Holidays from Blank Park Zoo

Ryan P. BickelThe Zoo opened inMay of 1966 featuringa castle, Noah’s Ark,monkey island,a barnyard and aminiature train. Onhand to celebrate the40th anniversary inMay of 2006 were twoformer Zoo Directors,Bob Elgin (seated),David Allen (left)and current CEO,Terry Rich.MissionThe mission of the Blank Park Zoo isto inspire an appreciation of the natural worldthrough conservation, education and recreation.The Zoo is operated and funded throughthe Blank Park Zoo Foundation.A Zoo foundation wasformed in 1981 to raisefunds for a strugglingZoo threatenedwith closure. From1982 to 1986 theZoo was closed forextensive remodelingand reopened asan American Zooand AquariumAssociationaccredited Zoo. TheZoo was transformedfrom a children’s Zooto an expanded Zoowith a new name,new natural exhibits,and many newanimals.“The Blank Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos andAquariums. The AZA is America’s leading accrediting organization thatsets rigorous professional standards for Zoos and aquariums.The AZA is building North America’s largest wildlife conservationmovement by engaging and inspiring the 143 million annual visitors toits member institutions and their communities to care about andtake action to help protect wildlife.”