"What is now known as the San Antonio Zoo began in 1914 when Colonel George Washington Brackenridge, one of the city's
leading citizens, placed bison, deer, monkeys, African lions, and bears on land he had deeded to the city.
The land became Brackenridge Park and Golf Course. The San Antonio Zoo opened two of the first cageless exhibits
in the United States in November 1929 that offered visitors views of the animals not available in caged exhibits.
The Richard Friedrich Aquarium was dedicated in 1948, and the Hixon Bird House, funded through the efforts of
Colonel Frederick C. Hixon, opened in 1966. The zoo's bird collection is now one of the world's largest.
The San Antonio Zoo housed the first herd of addra gazelle in captivity in 1969 and continues to be active in
the breeding program for this critically endangered species. Due to the former hoofstock quarantine point in
San Antonio, the San Antonio Zoo has historically had a wide variety of hoofstock species. The zoo is involved
in breeding a number of endangered species including black rhino, leopard, golden lion tamarin, dama gazelle,
Attwater's prairie chicken, black mangabey, African lion, black-footed ferret, Komodo dragon, Andean condor,
and Caribbean flamingos.
The zoo opened Phase II of Africa Live in 2010. Phase I, which opened in 2007, brought a new exhibit for hippos
with underwater viewing area and one for new Nile crocodiles as well as many other smaller animals.
Phase II contains Angolan colobus monkeys, okapi, African hunting dogs, rock hyrax, and various species of birds
contained in the second largest aviary in the world. On June 18, 2013, a two-headed turtle, along with three
one-headed turtles hatched. The two-headed turtle was later named Thelma and Louise after the 1991 film. Thelma
and Louise later died on July 29, 2014, from unknown causes." From Wikipedia.
