San Antonio Zoo history

Stark was a San Antonio native who began working at the zoo in 1927 as the curator of the small bird collection.

Over time, animals such as golden eagles, lions, a black prairie wolf, and a weasel were added to the collection, and in 1928, the San Antonio Zoological Society formed to help purchase and maintain animals and to continue the growth of one of the world’s most advanced zoos.

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.

Military installations largely account for San Antonio’s rapid growth after 1940.

In 1968 a world’s exposition, known as HemisFair, was held there to commemorate the city’s 250th anniversary and to celebrate its cultural ties with Latin America.

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.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (established 1978) preserves the Spanish missions Nuestra Señora de la Concepción de Acuña, San José y San Miguel de Aguayo, San Juan Capistrano, and San Francisco de la Espada.

The zoo ended 2006 with $11.1 million in revenues and $1.7 million in net earnings -- increasing total net assets to $22.8 million.

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.