Description: The Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the nations oldest zoos, founded in 1868 when the Lincoln Park Commissioners were given a gift of a pair of swans. They became the first occupants of the zoo. In 1874, the swans were joined by a bear cub, the first animal purchased for the zoo. The bear became quite adept at escaping from its home and could frequently be found roaming Lincoln Park at night. The first bison ever born in captivity was born in Lincoln Park. Marlin Perkins, who later gained fame as the host of the television program Wild Kingdom, was director of the zoo from 1944 until 1962. Now, Lincoln Park Zoo is home to a wide variety of animals. The zoo includes polar bears, penguins, gorillas, reptiles, monkeys, and other species totalling nearly 1,250 animals. Also located in Lincoln Park Zoo is a burr oak tree which dates to 1830, three years before the city was founded. Lincoln Park is one of two zoos in Chicagoland, the other being Brookfield Zoo; however, Lincoln Park is the only one within the Chicago city limits and the only one with free admission.
(from Wikipedia) |