History Adelaide Zoo
the last greater flamingo in australia died @ adelaide zoo in january 2014
a pied heron in 1 of zoo s walk-in aviaries
adelaide zoo first opened on 23 may 1883, occupying 6.5 hectares (16 acres) (now 8 hectares (20 acres)) of land granted government. founded south australian acclimatization , zoological society. society later became royal zoological society of south australia after royal charter granted king george vi in 1937.
the first director of zoo (from 1882 1893) r. e. minchin. succeeded son a. c. minchin (from 1893 1934), , grandson r. r. l. minchin (from 1935 1940). grandson, alfred keith minchin ran (private) koala farm in north parklands 1936–1960; surplus koalas set free on kangaroo island.
in mid-twentieth century zoo involved in export of live birds, 99% of australia s exports of live native birds, finches , parrots aviculture, passing through either adelaide or taronga zoos. @ time when need conservation of australia s native birds, , control of trade becoming increasingly apparent, south australia lagged behind other states in passing appropriate legislation.
in 1962 new director of zoo, william gasking, dismissed through power exerted zoo council president, fred basse, on grounds gasking not cooperate bird trade. however, when basse retired trade in birds dropped tenth of had been 2 years before. since zoo s administration has been restructured , zoo has regained public credibility , scientific status.
the modern zoo has moved away traditional housing of species separately in pairs. species grouped in wild, in exhibits planned according region. enclosures have been designed needs of animals in mind, providing more natural habitat, serves educational purpose visitors. although of zoo s heritage listed enclosures such elephant house have been retained, no longer used house animals; (the elephant house has educational signs). last elephant housed @ adelaide zoo, samorn, moved monarto in 1991, died 3 years later.
the flamingo exhibit opened in 1885, , 1 of few have remained in same position date. stocked 10 flamingos, died during drought in 1915. in 2014, 1 of 2 surviving flamingos in exhibit, thought oldest in world @ 83 years of age, died. remaining chilean flamingo @ adelaide zoo flamingo in australia.
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