Chilean National Zoo
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| Date opened | 1925 |
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| Location | Santiago, Chile |
| Coordinates | 33°25′47″S 70°38′03″W / 33.42972°S 70.63417°WCoordinates: 33°25′47″S 70°38′03″W / 33.42972°S 70.63417°W |
| Land area | 4.8 ha (12 acres) |
| No. of species | 158 |
| Memberships | ALPZA,WAZA,ISIS |
| Website | www |
The Chilean National Zoo (Zoológico Nacional de Chile) is a 4.8-hectare (12-acre) zoo that was founded in 1925 in Santiago, Chile. Located at the foot of San Cristóbal Hill in what is known as the Santiago Metropolitan Park (Parque Metropolitano de Santiago), the zoo is home to thousands of animals representing 158 species. Unique exhibits feature Chilean native animals and birds including rare and endangered species.
The Chilean National Zoo has a dual focus: to conserve and research species held at the zoo, and to educate and provide activities for the visiting public.
The history of the national zoo dates back to the 19th century. In 1882, the country's first zoo was inaugurated in Quinta Normal by professor Julio Bernard, followed twenty years later by another zoo in Concepción featuring native animals, founded by professor and entomologist Carlos Reed.
In 1921, Carlos Reed began a campaign with the Intendant of Santiago, Alberto Mackenna, to obtain financing and land for what would be the National Zoological Garden. On September 1, 1925, the then President of Chile, Arturo Alessandri Palma, issued Supreme Decree No.4273, allocating 4.8 hectares of San Cristóbal Hill to building the zoo.
A number of species held at the Quinta Normal zoo were brought across to the new zoo along with 70 other animals from zoos in Mendoza and Buenos Aires via the Transandine Railway. Among the species forming a part of the new zoo were a camel, Somali sheep, two boas, a ñata cow with an inherited abnormality, macaws and a baboon. The zoo's installations were built in less than two months with the collaboration of architect Teodoro Panuzzis.
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Wikipedia