"He would buy a snapping turtle from some kids so they wouldn't hurt it, or bring a bullfrog home, or three red fox kits, which we bottle raised, and ground hogs," Burchfield said. "Bless his heart, he put up with them."ĭespite his queasiness about snakes his father loved all animals, even reptiles, another quality he passed on to his son. "My mom was my accomplice and she supported me, so he had to," Burchfield said. "When I started out as a volunteer at the Columbus Zoo in 1959, as a kid basically, I'd always been interested in reptiles and amphibians and caught them since I was a small boy and dragged them home much to my father's chagrin," he said.īurchfield's dad, with matinee-idol looks and expert marksmanship and archery skills, which he passed on to his son, was petrified of snakes. Colo was the world's oldest gorilla in captivity when she died in 2017 at the age of 60. Burchfield cared for the young western lowland gorilla at Columbus in the early 1960s. This was the same Warren Thomas who, as a second-year veterinary student at the Columbus Zoo, was featured in Life magazine for saving from stillbirth the world's first captive-born gorilla, Colo, in 1956. "I sent them back with fairly extensive changes recommended, and apparently Dr. "I said sure, send them on up," Burchfield said. Burchfield at the time was head keeper of the Columbus (Ohio) Zoo's new Reptilia-Amphibia Hall, but was asked to review Thomas' blueprints by Gladys Portergeneral curator Tom Hoover, who'd been a fellow zookeeper with Burchfield in Columbus, Burchfield's hometown. Thomas, the zoo's first director, to discuss Burchfield's ideas for the new reptile house Thomas was designing. Burchfield, now in his 51st year with the Gladys Porter Zoo, as Brownsville's wild gem celebrates its own half century of delighting and educating visitors.īurchfield's first trip to Brownsville was at the invitation of Warren D. 8-If anyone was born to run a zoo it's Dr. The Education department was also expanded in 1989 and a walk-through aviary (Zack's Aerie, made possible by private donations) was also opened.Nov. The Australian exhibit opened in February 1988 - the largest addition to the zoo since its opening. Income from this permanent endowment now ensures that the zoo can maintain and improve itself. Sams (dollar for dollar up to $2 million) and the Lightner Sams Foundation (dollar for dollar up to $1 million). In 1986, the zoo created an endowment fund with the help of matching grants from the Earl C. Most of these projects were made possible by the zoo's annual Zoofari fundraisers. In subsequent years, Orangutan Island was enlarged, the Herpetarium was expanded with a new aquatic wing, and many other exhibits as well as facilities such as the gift shop, offices, and concession stands were remodeled or added. The zoo also received accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in 1978. Although only four classes were taught that summer, the program has expanded over the years and now includes classes in the spring and fall as well as summer. In 1978, the zoo launched its summer study programs on a trial basis with classes for children in grades 1 through 12. The naturalistic exhibits at the zoo won the 1979 Texas Building Branch of Associated General Contractors Outstanding Construction Award. The zoo published the first issue of its Zoo News (its official newsletter and now a quarterly publication) in January 1972. The zoo has been the single largest recipient from the foundation funds established by Sams. The first addition to its exhibits was the Herpetarium, which opened in April 1973. Sams Foundation to the City of Brownsville. The zoo was planned, built, stocked, and given by the Earl C. After its opening, the zoo was given to the city of Brownsville. Porter, a wildlife enthusiast, helped to plan and stock the zoo, which was entirely funded by the Earl C. The zoo is named after Gladys Porter, the daughter of Earl C. It is also the birthplace of Harambe, the gorilla. It is the first zoo to have successfully bred the endangered Jentink's duiker (although none are currently in captivity in the US). Situated on 31 acres (13 ha), the zoo houses about 400 animal species (including 47 endangered species) and over 250 tropical and neo-tropical species and subspecies. The zoo officially opened on September 3, 1971, and currently averages over 424,000 visitors annually. Gladys Porter Zoo is a zoological and botanical park located in Brownsville, Texas, United States.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |