The Los Angeles Zoo

Spread over an area of 113 acres, the Los Angeles Zoo is considered to be one of the most proficient destinations where advanced techniques in zoo management are known to be effectively practiced. It was in the year 1966 when the Zoo was established as well as all the property included in the zoo. All the animals and infrastructures are under the jurisdiction of the government of Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Zoo is operated and entirely owned by the City Government of Los Angeles. Since its inauguration in the year 1966 until 1997, the Zoo was operated under the division of Los Angeles City’s Recreation and Parks Department. The Zoo became its own city department on July 1, 1997 giving it with a more direct and clearer voice to the City Council and more direct control over its operations.

The Zoo, having its location within the 4th City Council district, is represented by Councilman Tom LaBonge. John Lewis, since June of 2003, has worked as the director of the John Ball Zoological Garden located in Grand Rapids in Michigan from the year 1986 until his appointment to the famous zoo. From the year 2001 to 2002, Lewis has also worked as the head of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums or AZA Board of Directors.

It was on Nov. 28, 1966 when the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens was inaugurated. The zoo houses over 1,100 mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds representing over 250 various species, of which 29 are considered endangered. In addition to this, the LA Zoo’s Botanical Garden collection is composed of a number of planted gardens and over 800 various plant species with more than 7,400 plants. The zoo admits more that 1.5 million of visitors in a year.

In the year 1963, the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association or simply GLAZA was created. The GLAZA is a nonprofit organization that has been established to provide support for the Los Angeles Zoo in its mission to sustain wildlife and enhance the human experience. The GLAZA is currently offering volunteer opportunities for high school students and docents with the following schedule:

Prospective High School Student Volunteer Information Meeting, for Grades 9 – 10 students on July 16, 2011, Saturday, from 10 am to 4 pm.

Prospective Docent Volunteer Information Meeting will be held on July 23, 2011, Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm.

The zoo also features shows and events, one of which is known as the Music in the LA Zoo. This is a family-friendly open air festival that aims to entertain music lovers from all ages for more than a decade. The show features sounds of guitars, violins, steel drums as well as other instruments that float through the evening breeze as patrons stroll from place to place all throughout the zoo. The show starts at 6pm and finishes at 9 pm. The following is a schedule of events:

July 15, 2011 features the Local Scene, featuring indie bands