Staten Island Zoo

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In August 1933 the Staten Island Zoological Society was organized to create and administer a zoo located in Clarence T. Barrett Park on Staten Island. It was opened on June 10, 1936, the first zoo in the U. S. specifically devoted to an educational mandate. The Staten Island Zoological Society was the first zoo in the country to specifically dedicate itself to fulfilling an educational mission. The Staten Island Zoo was also the first zoo anywhere to exhibit all the 32 varieties of rattlesnakes known to occur in the United States. In the late 1960's the Zoo maintained the most complete rattlesnake collection in the world with 39 varieties. Always sensitive to the care of the animals, the zoo's goal will continue to be providing naturalistic settings for the animals on display. Tropical forests and African savannah exhibits were installed in the 1990s, and a Tudor-style house was acquired for educational programs and to house the administrative staff of the zoo. Since the Zoo's opening, its human and physical resources have created this exemplary educational and recreational facility. Over the years New York City's "biggest little Zoo" evolved to accommodate the collection and serve the visiting public.

Lesser Known Destinations Around NYC
updated 06/2015 by Rainforest Brazil