The Evolution of the Little Rock Zoo

Home , Little Rock Zoo, Marlin Perkins, Trudy (gorilla)

THRIVING IN THE WILD The Evolution of the Little Rock Zoo

University of Arkansas at Little Rock Masters of Arts Seminar in Public History Fall 2015

A History of the Little Rock Zoo Faculty of Record: Deborah J. Baldwin, Ph.D.

HISTORY FOR THE FUTURE, INC.

Mission Statement

To provide engaging experiences that inspire people to value and conserve our natural world.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary...... 4 Introduction ...... 9 A Zoo is Born ...... 12 Founding of Fair Park ...... 13 Building a Zoo ...... 15 A New Deal for the Zoo ...... 24 War Rations and Recovery ...... 28 Mid-Century at the Zoo ...... 32 Changing Times ...... 32 Running a Zoo ...... 34 Building Professional Methods ...... 38 Changing the Way Zoos Care ...... 41 Funding Opportunities, Old and New ...... 43 Building on the Past ...... 47 Changing the Way We Care for Zoo Animals ...... 50 Bringing Down the Bars ...... 55 Developing Community Connections ...... 55 Planning for a Better Zoo ...... 59 Building a Better Zoo, Inside and Out ...... 64 Zoological Programs ...... 72 Survival of the Fittest ...... 77 Rising Up in Little Rock...... 77 Making Changes ...... 80 Living for the City ...... 82 Arranging Habitats ...... 86 Taking Action ...... 88 Moving Forward ...... 91 A Zoo for the Future ...... 97 Plans for Conservation and Education ...... 101 Working with the City of Little Rock ...... 106 Zoo Improvements ...... 109 Animal Exhibits ...... 113 Creating a Brighter Future ...... 114 Conclusion ...... 123 Literature Review ...... 126 Archival Recommendations ...... 130 Paper ...... 131 Photographs, Photographic Negatives, Slides ...... 131 Scrapbooks ...... 132 VHS Tapes ...... 132 Digital Files ...... 133 Resources ...... 133 For digitization services: ...... 133 For archival standards and best practices: ...... 133

Bibliography ...... 134 Organizational Timeline ...... 149 Zoo Directors, 1926 to the present ...... 157 Frank N. (Nelse) Taggart, 1926 ...... 157 M. W. (Willie) Gray, 1927-1931 ...... 157 William R. (Bill) Sprott, 1931-1944 ...... 157 Edward (Ed) Hefele, 1941-1944 ...... 158 Raymond Gray, 1948-1953 ...... 158 Raymond Squires, 1953-1975 ...... 159 Charles Wilson, 1975-1977 ...... 159 C.B. (Birdog) Rogers, 1977-1978 ...... 159 Robert (Bob) Cooper, 1977-1984 ...... 160 David Westbrook, 1984-1999 ...... 160 Michael (Mike) Blakely, 1999- ...... 161 Animal Appendix ...... 163 Nero the lion ...... 163 Ruth the elephant ...... 164 Ellen the elephant ...... 165 Big Arkie the alligator ...... 166 Snortin’ Norton and Thor the sloth bears ...... 167 Trudy the gorilla ...... 168 Fossey the gorilla ...... 169 Over-the-Jumps Carousel ...... 170 Programs That Shaped the Little Rock Zoo ...... 180 Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) ...... 180 Species Survival Plan (SSP) ...... 180 Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) ...... 180 Population Management Plans (PMP) ...... 181 International Species Information System (ISIS) ...... 181 Local Organizations Currently Integral to Little Rock Zoo Operations ...... 182 The Zoo Board of Governors ...... 182 Arkansas Zoological Foundation, Inc...... 182 Project Proposal ...... 183 HFI: Biographies ...... 192

Executive Summary

The Little Rock Zoo has seen glowing success and unfortunate hardships.

Throughout the early years of the Zoo's existence its identity was slowly created. Local lore speaks of the Little Rock Zoo beginning in the basement of City Hall, housing both a timber wolf and a circus-trained bear1. These animals helped create a following with the locals, who eventually pushed for better facilities and care for the two animals. The Zoo moved to the area today known as Fair Park after the Arkansas State Fair acquired the land in the late 1800s. Successful development paired with a thriving fair helped citizens realize the importance of the Zoo, and helped them begin to think about animal conservation.2 The Department of Parks and Sanitation operated the Zoo in the early

1920s, and helped not only with a location for the Zoo, but assisted with a budget. The

City allocated a portion of the Department of Parks and Sanitation budget to the upkeep and safety of the small number of animals that were housed at the Zoo.3

In the late 1920s Arkansas was greatly impacted by the Great Depression.

Funding for the Zoo was adequate at best, and the Arkansas State Fair was featured irregularly at Fair Park throughout the 1930s. The Arkansas State Fair eventually rejected a proposal to permanently hold the annual fair at Fair Park, and accepted the offer from the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce to move the location to an area near Roosevelt

Road. The movement of the Arkansas State Fair only enhanced the argument for budget

1 “History,” The Little Rock Zoo, accessed October 24, 2015, http://www.littlerockzoo.com/history. 2 Rachel Silva. “Sandwiching in History: Herschell-Spillman Carousel, Little Rock Zoo,” December 3, 2010, http://www.arkansaspreservation.com/Learn-More/sandwiching-in-history-archives. 3 Jesse C.Donahue, and Trump, Erik K, “American Zoos During the Depression: A New Deal for Animals,” (Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2010), 1-2.

considerations for the Little Rock Zoo, as patrons and visitors from out of town still came to Fair Park to visit the Zoo.

The 1930s witnessed a new explosion of animal acquisitions, from the beloved elephant Ruth, who was obtained from a small circus in Texas, to three buffalos that were donated from the National Park Service. Minimal concerns for animal cages and safety accompanied these acquisitions, and looming behind every purchase was the shrinking budget. The New Deal programs, specifically the Works Projects Administration, assisted heavily with constructing sound infrastructure in the mid to late 1930s.4 The increase in dedicated funds allowed the Zoo to successfully build the Cat House, the Monkey House, the Hoofed Stock Pens and the Elephant House. The Monkey House and Cat House were both built with Arkansas native stone, which can be seen today as an influence in the structural evolution of Little Rock.5

Common throughout the history of animal acquisition at zoos, most animals were donated, traded, or bought from a circus in the early period of the history. This changed in the 1940s, when breeding programs were established.6 Animals were no longer expected to remain in small cages with inadequate nutritional considerations. This shift was common throughout Zoos across the Nation, and the Little Rock Zoo followed this national trend. As with most businesses in the United States, by the mid-1940s funding and staff considerations were pushed to the side in the wake of World War II. In order to assist with these problems, the Department of Parks and Recreation was established in

4 Ibid., 2-3. 5 Suzann and John Barr, interviewed by Nicolette Talley, September 17, 2015, The Little Rock Zoo History Project, transcript and audio recording, UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture. 6 Gene Bylander, “Early History of the Little Rock Zoo,” typed personal history in private collection, 1950.

1945, and they quickly acknowledged the Zoo as not only a successful entertainment location, but an important educational facility. Raymond Gray, one of the Zoo's early employees, came back to become the Director for the Zoo after being drafted in World

War II, and in 1951 the American Zoological Association elected him to the Board of

Directors. Though Gray eventually left to join the Memphis Zoo, his legacy continued on in the early decisions he made as a leader of the Zoo. By 1957, the Little Rock Zoo was so successful, that over 200,000 visitors were reported for the year, and the American

Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums recognized the Zoo as the only official

Zoo in the state.

In the 1960s, a national movement for better treatment and care of animals across the Nation was recognized by the Little Rock Zoo, when new animal habitats were created. The Animal Welfare Act of 1966 changed the image of Zoos, and legislation on animal management reflected the changes as time continued. This, coupled with a breeding program, changed the overall mission of the Zoo to include education along with entertainment. Educational outreach helped to alleviate damage to the animals, which encompassed random acts of vandalism to harming of the animals in their cages.

Unfortunately, the Zoo encountered some obstacles in the seventies with inadequate facilities coupled with a lowered budget. By the 1980s the Zoo unveiled its

“Bring down the Bars” campaign, to rid the Zoo of barred cages. Animals were now housed in facilities that reflected their natural environment, and the Zoo placed animals at eye level, for patrons to view and experience wildlife without restrictive steel bars. By the end of 1981, the Zoo applied an admission fee – the first time in the Zoo's history that it

had required this fee.7 The Zoo was so adored by the people of Little Rock, that even when the Zoo charged an admission fee, the Zoo made over $3,000 the first week from admissions alone.

The introduction of the Species Survival Plan through the AZA paved the way for the Zoo to continue with its new mission of species conservation and breeding programs.

By 1982, the Little Rock Zoo had completed the first phase of its new Master Plan and announced two new programs: A.D.O.P.T a Wild Child and Walk on the Wild Side. The

Little Rock Zoo was striving for success, and in the early 1990s presented long-term programs, such as Boo at the Zoo.

Unfortunately, the Zoo lost accreditation in 1991. With funding looming over its

Master Plan, and the limited budget given to them by the City of Little Rock, the Zoo could not afford the staff, breeding considerations, and attention to details that they needed in order to complete all required aspects of accreditation by the renewal date.

Once the Director stepped down and the Little Rock Zoo was separated from the

Department of Parks and Recreation, the Zoo was able to hire its own staff, make its own budget and improve the Zoo the way they saw fit. They were able to gain its accreditation back in 2001, and they created the Arkansas Zoological Foundation in 2003. Throughout the entire process of losing and gaining accreditation, the Zoo never wavered in support from loyal locals. Even though admission prices continue to rise, the Zoo still successfully holds educational programs for all age groups, and donors never waver in support.

7 Ordinance No. 14061, Section 1, City of Little Rock Clerk’s Records, June 16, 1981.

The Little Rock Zoo’s beginnings may be lore, but it continues today as a legacy.

This identity blossomed into an organization that includes hundreds of Zoo members, a fundraising foundation, and a dedicated staff. Throughout the past nine decades, the Little

Rock Zoo has continued to hold fast to its mission of conservation, education, and preservation of their animals and history. The Little Rock Zoo is an important part of the community, and will remain a valuable asset in the decades to come. Strife and turmoil accompany any long-lasting institution, and the Zoo is not immune. As History for the

Future, Inc. has discovered, the success and perseverance of the Little Rock Zoo is due mainly to the patrons who visit and donate money, the staff who dedicate their time and effort to the animals, and to the management for fighting for the Little Rock Zoo’s continued existence.

Introduction

Early zoos in the United States came into existence during the late 1800s as part of an effort to increase urban awareness of quickly fading wildlife. Those who initially advocated for the creation of zoos had grand ideas; however, zoos largely came from humble beginnings. The Little Rock Zoo (LRZ) was no exception. Starting with just a bear and wolf in 1926, LRZ worked hard and grew into a nationally accredited zoo with over 700 animals and an eighty-nine-year history. LRZ weathered the ups and downs of not only Little Rock’s local climate, but the national climate as well. Throughout the tough times the Zoo refused to fail, and instead surrounded itself with the support it needed to succeed. LRZ is presently the culmination of decades of partnerships with the

City of Little Rock, staff, volunteers, donors, community organizations, and the public.

When the City of Little Rock initially acquired animals, it lacked a proper place to house them. The city took advantage of space that existed in the newly developed Fair

Park and created temporary cages as more donated animals arrived. Even in this primitive stage, LRZ made efforts to protect the animals from harm and to educate the public. The

Zoo managed to survive the economic struggles of the Great Depression and constructed permanent structures via the Works Projects Administration before World War II rationing caused more setbacks. Local residents and businesses helped support LRZ through its tough times by providing donations of supplies and funds.

As the Little Rock Zoo entered the middle of the twentieth century it placed a greater emphasis on the fundamental idea that zoos should be educational centers concerned with the well-being of animals. Additions such as the acquisition of Ellen the elephant and the construction of the Civitan Kiddie Zoo strengthened community ties,

while legislation like the Animal Welfare Act of 1966 placed greater constraints on the way zoos acquired and treated animals. Operations and development at LRZ became increasingly difficult with loss of land during the construction of I-30, more structured breeding programs, and greater regulations. LRZ grappled with a national increase in distaste for zoos and sought greater funding to create better animal habitats.

The creation of the 1978 Master Plan was a turning point for LRZ that set it up for continued future success. The Zoo started charging admission, which increased funding for projects that ultimately resulted in the American Association of Zoological Parks and

Aquariums awarding its national accreditation in 1985. Its participation in activities to educate and engage the public continued to expand. In the prosperity at the end of the twentieth century, LRZ made expansive plans for the future, but hopes were dashed when the Zoo lost its accreditation in 1998. The loss of national accreditation was detrimental to LRZ, but the Zoo pushed forward and created new governance for the Zoo. After a thorough investigation, LRZ separated from the Parks and Recreation Department, and the Zoo became its own city department with its own Board of Governors.

LRZ ushered in the new millennium with hard work, and it regained its accreditation in 2001 as a result. The Zoo developed a new Master Plan and is now steadily moving toward a bright future. With continued support from donors, fundraisers, and community partners, LRZ completed projects such as the Laura P. Nichols Penguin

Pointe and Laura P. Nichols Cheetah Outpost. LRZ also implemented green initiatives and continues to focus on conservation and the environment through educational outreach.

Despite its humble beginnings and struggles with adversity, the Little Rock Zoo has

persevered and evolved into an accredited, successful organization through its national and local partnerships.

A Zoo is Born

The history of the Little Rock Zoo (LRZ) from the 1920s to the 1940s is steeped in perseverance, financial hardship, and strategic planning. Although the Zoo opened its doors in 1926, its history started in the mid-nineteenth century when the City of Little

Rock began developing Fair Park. Decades after Fair Park’s development, in the 1920s, the Department of Parks and Sanitation operated the Zoo and contributed a portion of its annual budget to the upkeep of what later became LRZ. At this time, Americans had great enthusiasm for zoos, but local governments found it difficult to support more than a modest facility or a small collection of animals, and housed most animals temporarily in inadequate cages.

By the late 1920s, public zoos across the country faced reduced operational budgets. Money allocated only covered maintenance, and zoos needed new facilities. Zoo administrators across the country tried, without success, to plead for funds to expand their facilities and improve the welfare of the animals. In an effort to develop professional standards and collaborate to keep struggling zoos alive, a group of zoo professionals formed the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA) in 19248.

Annually the AAZPA met to discuss issues in zoos nationally and set operational standards for zoos.9 Like the vast majority of zoos at the time, LRZ was a public institution funded primarily by local government, but the Zoo did not become affiliated with the AAZPA until the 1950s. Similarly, in the 1930s and 1940s, in the midst of the

8 In 2015, after several name changes since its founding in 1924, AAZPA is known as the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). 9 Robert O. Wagner, "The Independence of AAZPA," Regional Conference Proceedings 1996, (American Zoo and Aquarium Association: Wheeling, 1996), 393.

Great Depression and World War II, the Zoo also continued to struggle to raise funds for the facility. 10

Founding of Fair Park

The Arkansas State Fair Commission11 acquired the area known as Fair Park in

1868,12 and the land changed hands when the City of Little Rock purchased the area in the early 1920s to establish a state fair in the area.13 The Commission’s hopes were realized in 1922 when the Arkansas State Fair was held in Fair Park for the first time.14

With the success of the State Fair, the city began to develop the area known as

Fair Park. On January 28, 1924, the city commissioned the architectural firm

Pearse and Robinson of Chicago, Illinois and Des Moines, Iowa to design the

Master Plan for initial development of Map of greater Little Rock, detail of Fair Park and surrounding area, 1928. Fair Park.15 The design included a zoo, Courtesy of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, City of Little Rock Collection (BC.MSS.07.51) golf course, amusement park, and stadium.16

Fair Park was designed to be a leisurely area for residents and tourists to have fun, and offered a chance to see the forthcoming zoological gardens, circuses, and the annual

10 Donahue, 1-2. 11 The Arkansas State Fair Commission was called the Arkansas State Fair Association after the City of Little Rock acquired Fair Park. 12 Cathryn G. Buford, National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, October 30, 1989, 2. 13 Rachel Silva, “Sandwiching in History: Herschell-Spillman Carousel, Little Rock Zoo,” accessed October 2, 2015, http://www.arkansaspreservation.com/_literature_133975/Sandwiching_in_ History_-_December_3,_2010_-_Herschell-Spillman_Carousel, 1. 14 Silva, 2. 15 Ordinance No. 3413, City of Little Rock Clerk’s Records, January 28, 1924, accessed October 4, 2015, http://web.littlerock.state.ar.us/WebLink/DocView.aspx ?id=85500&page=1&searchid=b05f67ea- c3c555555-441d-a755-2ccd3ebdc333, 1. 16 Buford, 2.

carnival. In 1926, the City of Little Rock authorized Mayor Charles E. Moyer, alongside the Parks, Buildings & Grounds Committee, to make contracts with Fair Park concessionaires.17 Fair Park was quickly becoming a well-known tourist destination. On

March 8, 1926, Mayor Moyer and the Parks, Buildings & Grounds Committee sought to place a tourists’ camp in the area, which encouraged people from out-of-town and out-of- state to stay and enjoy the sights. 18

On August 9, 1926, the Little Rock City Council granted the Ways & Means

Committee a license for a circus to be held exclusively in Fair Park.19 Allowing for the circus to be held in Fair Park provided a means for famous circuses to come to Little

Rock to entertain the public. For example, on August 29, 1927, the City of Little Rock granted the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus a permit to present a show in the city on October 5, 1927.20 By 1929, Fair Park had a permanent amusement park and numerous carnivals often visited.21 However, when the United States stock market crashed on October 24, 1929, funding for the State Fair decreased significantly as

Arkansas faced one of the most challenging fiscal chapters in its history.

During the 1930s, the Arkansas State Fair was held irregularly in Fair Park due to the financial impact of the Great Depression. Recognizing the struggles of the State Fair, on September 22, 1930, Little Rock Mayor Pat R. Robinson adopted a resolution for city officials to not accept customary annual passes. In his resolution, Robinson stated that

17 City of Little Rock Council Record, City of Little Rock Records, 1926-1928, 45. 18 “Clerk’s Records,” March 8,1926, http://web.littlerock.state.ar.us/WebLink/ DocView.aspx?id=44655&page=41&searchid=c047cb0-8f2d-4aba-8048-a8ea95ac53e1, (accessed October 10, 2015), 45. 19 City of Little Rock Council Record, City of Little Rock Clerk’s Records, 1926-1928, 180. 20 Minutes of City Council, City of Little Rock Clerk’s Records, August 29, 1927, accessed October 11, 2015, http://web.littlerock.state.ar.us/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=44655&page=394&searchid=5cea1e51- f000-4af5-9fcd-fb0148013ea7, 402. 21 Silva, 1.

…[d]ue to various conditions beyond the control of the State Fair Association it appears that this year the State Fair will need financial help perhaps more than any time in its history and since the Directors of the Arkansas State Fair have refused to accept annual passes for themselves… the Board of Alderman of the City of Little Rock will gladly follow the lead of the Directors and will not accept the customary passes.22

The resolution indicated that city officials were not given an annual pass for free after September of 1930 in an effort to help keep the State Fair running. Although

Arkansas’ Governor Harvey Parnell vetoed appropriations for the benefit of the 1931 and

1932 State Fairs, on October 31, 1932, Little Rock Mayor Horace A. Knowlton renewed contracts with the Arkansas State Fair Association.23 Knowlton’s renewal enabled Fair

Park to hold the fair the following year.24

Fair Park also felt the effects of World War II. In 1944, the demands of World

War II forced the State Fair Association to cancel the Arkansas State Fair entirely,25 although the city proposed a permanent site for the State Fair in Fair Park. In 1945, the

Arkansas State Fair Association rejected the proposal, and accepted an offer from the

Little Rock Chamber of Commerce to permanently hold the State Fair on several acres of land on Roosevelt Road in Little Rock, where it is held annually to this day.26

Building a Zoo

In 1926 the City of Little Rock created LRZ, when a timber wolf and a circus- trained bear were donated to the City of Little Rock.27 The timber wolf was left at a local

22 Resolution No. 1240, Clerk’s Records, unpublished manuscript, October 22, 1930, City Records, 1. 23 The Arkansas State Fair Association was established on April 25, 1906, to administer and promote the State Fair. Arkansas State Fair Association Records, accessed October 28, 2015. http://www.ark-cat.com/browse/fulldetail.aspx?id=1318#bio. 24 Resolution No. 1276, City of Little Rock Clerk’s Records, October 31, 1932, 1. 25 Ibid., 1. 26 Silva, 2. 27 “History,” The Little Rock Zoo, accessed August 29, 2015, http://www.littlerockzoo.com/history, 1.

kennel, and never claimed by its owner. Herman Heiden, the owner of the kennel, presented the wolf to Ben D. Brickhouse, the Mayor of Little Rock. Local lore states that

Mayor Brickhouse briefly housed the wolf in the basement of City Hall, then moved the wolf to a cage in a poultry house at the Arkansas state fairgrounds, which were located in

Fair Park. The wolf was soon accompanied by a brown bear. The bear was abandoned by a traveling circus and was housed in a separate cage at the fairgrounds. These animals helped inspire locals to develop the Zoo.

Soon afterwards, the night watchmen for Fair Park, W. M. Gray, started caring for the two animals. Gray became the formal caretaker for the newly formed Fair Park Zoo, when three buffalo from the National Parks Service became part of the collection. Gray was the first reported staff member of the Zoo, 28 and it remained largely understaffed for the rest of the 1920s. Gray served as a watchman and caretaker at the Zoo from 1926 until at least 1935. Frank N. Taggert was the superintendent of the Zoo in 1926. In other years, before his time at the Zoo, he worked as a construction foreman and a painter; he was a temporary superintendent in the Zoo’s early days. He had no formal work experience or training in the management of zoos. 29 Gray’s son, Raymond Gray, began working at the Zoo in 1926 as a helper, and was promoted to Animal Feeder by 1940.

Before he left for the war, Gray was reportedly promoted to Assistant Director.30

Oftentimes, the animals did not receive adequate attention or care because of staffing

28 Bylander, 12-13. 29 Little Rock City Directory: Polk City Directory, (Dallas: R. L. Polk & Co., 1926-1940). 30 “Raymond Gray Named Director of City Zoo,” newspaper clipping from scrapbook in private collection, 1949.

situations such as leaving for war. Despite these circumstances, the Zoo proved to be a point of pride for the city throughout the decade.31

The Parks and Sanitation Department supervised the Zoo throughout the 1920s.32

The Zoo was considered a division of Fair Park at the time, but appeared to be a gem in the crown of the Parks and Sanitation Department. The superintendent of the department affectionately mentioned the Zoo in publications from the city during the period. In 1926, the Parks and Sanitation Department and the Zoo were reportedly in good structural and financial condition. The superintendent of the department at the time, Ben E. Rambo, noted that the Zoo was the principle attraction at Fair Park, and was worthy of further city attention and funding. In 1926, the entire area of Fair Park received $6,438 from annual city funding. The Parks and Sanitation Department requested $8,636 for the following year.33

In February of 1927, Little Rock City Mayor Charles E. Moyer formed the first governing body for the Zoo. The governing body, known as the Zoo Commission, had seven members when formed: W. T. Stiltington, Lula B. Kinsolving, Dave Garrett, Hilde

Cornish, W. B. Evans, E. G. Bylander, and H. G. Leiser. Kinsolving had a long history with Little Rock parks. 34 She went on to have an award named in her honor in the 1930s as a reflection of her importance to the success of Little Rock parks.35 Leiser served on the City’s Parks Committee throughout the 1920s and Bylander served as Secretary for the Arkansas State Fair in 1927. Hilde Cornish was the wife of Edward Cornish. The

31 Staffing at the Zoo is largely unknown for the rest of the 1920s. 32 The Parks and Sanitation Department was one of nine departments within the City of Little Rock. Parks and Sanitation was responsible for management and operations of LRZ. Ben E. Rambo, “Parks and Recreation Department Report,” Little Rock City Yearbook, (Little Rock: 1926), 42. 34 Little Rock City Directory: Polk City Directory. 35 Minutes of Zoo Commission Meeting, June 4, 1931. Little Rock Playground Association Records, BC.MSS.98.14, Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Series 1, Box 1, Folder 5.

couple was very influential in Little Rock society throughout the early part of the twentieth century. Hilde is known as the mother of the birth control movement in

Arkansas and for bringing Planned Parenthood to the state. The Cornish’s had their hand in many changes in Little Rock during the period.36

During the first meeting of the Zoo Commission, in 1927, T.J. Newman, president of the City Federation of Women’s Clubs, insisted that her Federation help to build the new Zoo.37 The facility was quickly gaining popularity, as residents of Arkansas were eager to contribute to the Zoo. In 1927, the Parks and Sanitation Superintendent, Ben E.

Rambo, again reported that the Zoo was a principle attraction in the park. He solicited the city to appropriate funding specifically for the Zoo from the city general fund. He did not expect revenue to increase, and considered “funds [to be] small compared to [the Zoo’s] many needs.”38

The Zoo Commission that had been created in 1927 did not appoint its first officers until 1931.39 During the meeting, the Zoo Commission elected Stiltington as president, Kinsolving as secretary, and Evans as treasurer and Chairman of Finances. The

Young Men’s Business Association gave $100 for the purchase of a female elk during the meeting as well. The Commission made efforts to gain control of the Zoo, and also aimed to keep operational decisions out of local politics. 40 In 1931, W. R. Sprott became the

36 Sam Morgan, “Hilde Cornish,” Encyclopedia of Arkansas, last modified April 8, 2013, accessed October 30, 2015, http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry- detail.aspx?search=1&entryID=1625, accessed. 37 Ben E. Rambo, “Minutes of the Meeting of the Zoo Commission,” February 4, 1927. Little Rock Playground Association Records, BC.MSS.98.14, Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Series 1, Box 1, Folder 5. 38 Ben E. Rambo, “Parks and Recreation Department Report,” Little Rock City Yearbook, (Little Rock: 1927), 74. 39 There is no historical record as to why this was the case. 40 John L. Krum, letter to A.W. Kinsolving, June 4, 1931. Little Rock Playground Association Records, BC.MSS.98.14, Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Series 1, Box 1, Folder 5.

superintendent of the Zoo. Superintendent Sprott had previous zoo experience, having worked at the St. Louis Zoo in the late 1920s.41 Under him, Edward Trees joined the Zoo staff and worked as a zookeeper in the early 1930s. In July of 1932, the City of Little

Rock decided to change the name of the Zoo to the Fair Park Zoological Garden.42

Coupled with the development of Fair Park, the Zoological Garden proved popular among residents of Arkansas, and became a tourist attraction for out-of-state visitors.

The Zoo spent much of its funds on creating enclosures for its animals. The first

structures that housed the early animals of the Little Rock Zoo

were a part of the State Fairgrounds agricultural exhibit

buildings. Specifically, the Poultry Buildings housed the first

two animals of the Little Rock Zoo and served as quarters for

a traveling circus. For a small fee or an animal donation to

LRZ, the city allowed a circus to winter at the fairgrounds.

Murray Bylander in front This was a common practice and many local zoos housed older of the Poultry House initially used to hold circus animals to generate a little income. Circuses also animals at the Zoo., ca. 1930. Courtesy of Bylander commonly donated older performing animals to zoos and even Personal History, Private Collection housed at LRZ. abandoned collections when times were tough.43 The original animal enclosures were open to the public, for viewing, on the weekends. These early structures had dirt floors with wood shavings, which proved harmful to the animals if

41 “New Zoo Keeper,” newspaper clipping from scrapbook in private collection. 42 Minutes of City Council, City of Little Rock Clerk’s Records, June 1932 – September 1936, accessed October 4, 2015, http://web.littlerock.state.ar.us/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=44570&page=9&searchid =46b2af54-6121-4243-a409-95feb39d19e7, 9. 43 Dunahue, 162.

consumed. The Zoo made improvements to these buildings including a wooden platform used as the waste drainage system and woven wire fences around the perimeter. 44

The Zoo replaced the Poultry Buildings with one long building as housing for the animals—using materials from other buildings torn down at the fairgrounds. At the same time as the new construction, the Zoo built a concession building with a small donation box that greeted the visitors. The cages had woven wire fronts; the only exception was the big cat cages that had steel bars in the front of the enclosures. Staff marked the cages with the name of the animal and the person who donated it to the Zoo or donated the funds to purchase the animal.45

The first major structure at LRZ was the buffalo pen, which was completed between 1926 and 1927. The Zoological Society46 reportedly funded the buffalo pen project and the cost of the construction was $400.47 Monkey cages, duck enclosures, and bear pens with concrete floors and running water were all completed in 1927 as well.48

Directors in the early years spent much of their time defending zoo animals from being poisoned, taunted, or even shot by ignorant or malicious visitors. Directors joined forces with local humane societies and lobbied local politicians for physical improvements.49

44 Bylander, 10. 45 Ibid., 22. 46 The Zoological Society is reported as a donor in this article and has no other historical record otherwise. 47 “Zoo to Mark 60th Birthday,” The Dumas Clarion, (Dumas, Desha County, Ark, May 28, 1986). 48 Ben E. Rambo, “Parks and Sanitation Report,” Little Rock City Yearbook (Little Rock: January 9, 1928), 59. 49 Dunahue, 5.

LRZ began to develop its animal exhibits when local residents started donating abandoned or injured animals to the Zoo. People began to bring possums, raccoons, red and grey foxes, even an eagle with a broken wing. The Zoo Commission also purchased animals from importers of exotic animals in

New York City. The Zoo housed all of the animals in the abandoned livestock buildings at the State Fair Grounds, in Fair Park, until the construction of adequate facilities for the Male Elk at LRZ, 1928. From: Little Rock animals between 1927 and 1937.50 After the City Yearbook 1928. Courtesy of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, City of Little Rock Collection Zoo became more established, most of the (BC.MSS.07.51) animals were born and raised at the facility. Eventually, trading animals with other local zoos became the most common way to acquire new animals.51

In 1927, LRZ began purchasing animals from Henry Bartels, an importer of wild animals, birds, dogs, and fish out of New York City. LRZ acquired two striped genets, a brown lemur, one female sun bear, an African porcupine, two gibbon monkeys, a black ape, one large Anubis baboon, and three other Anubis baboons. LRZ acquired spiders, a twenty-two foot python, peacocks, Lories and parakeets. Some of the more expensive purchases were a pair of African waterbucks priced at $1,500 and one African reedbuck for $1,350. The Zoo purchased a full-grown female Bengal tiger for $1,000. 52

A circus donated Nero, a male lion to the Zoo. The Hagenbeck & Wallace Shows trained Nero and his mate, Sheba, at one time. When a crowd was present Nero would lay down with his magnificent head raised and glared at the crowd. As soon as the crowd

50 Bylander, 16. 51 Ibid., 14. 52 Henry Bartles, “Shipment List,” (New York City: January & May 1927).

thinned out, he lay down again and did not want to be disturbed. Described by

Superintendent Sprott as being the “King of the Jungle,” Nero was a hit at the Zoo.

Several traveling shows tried to buy Nero but none were successful. Director Sprott educated the public about Nero and lion management in an article in the newspaper and he emphasized the importance of handling exotic animals like Nero with care and respect.53

LRZ acquired Ruth, an elephant, around 1931 or 1932. A small circus in Texas going out of business sold Ruth to the Zoo. When the Zoo made plans to purchase the

elephant, the newspapers, radio, and the schools

began a public campaign to support the acquisition.

Superintendent Sprott and another zoo employee

traveled to Texas to obtain Ruth, and the needed

supplies to provide elephant rides for Ruth. The Cat

House housed Ruth for about a year, and she was

moved into the newly remodeled Elephant House

when it was completed. The Elephant House was

previously a concession building. Bill Beckett, a zoo

Ruth the Elephant in her cage. This employee, worked on circus tricks with Ruth on photo is a good example of enclosures from the period, ca. Sunday afternoons. She learned the circus tricks from 1930s. Courtesy of UALR Center for 54 Arkansas History and Culture, her previous owners. More than fifteen years later, James Guy Tucker, Jr., Papers (UALR.MS.0004), image 51. some 5,000 people attended Ruth’s 34th birthday

53 “Curator Says King of the Jungle is Misnomer for Lion,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), 1931. 54 Bylander, 35-36.

celebration on September 14th, 1947. The Colonial Baking Company baked a 1,000- pound, thirteen tier cake for the occasion.55

During the early years of LRZ, the local residents assisted by not only donating animals, but they also helped feed the animals. The local farmers market at Fourteenth

Street and Scott Street in downtown Little Rock donated leftovers from the market. The

City of Little Rock contributed any animal carcasses to feed the carnivores. The Zoo received old vegetables and fruit from wholesale markets in downtown Little Rock. Some local bakeries reportedly donated old bread or cakes to the Zoo. The Zoo tried to limit expenses when possible. Anything left over from the city general fund at the end of the year, as well as funds raised by the Zoological Society, went toward expenses at the

Zoo.56

The Zoo purchased most of its early animal acquisitions for public amusement rather than educational purposes. After the first set of animal acquisitions, American zoos, including LRZ, turned toward breeding and raising animals in-house.57 Some of the first reports of this trend toward lifelong habitation at LRZ occurred when three baby tigers were born at the Zoo. The Zoo advertised the birth of the new tigers and held birthday parties for the tiger cubs.58 Evans, a baby camel, was born at the Zoo in 1945; he was the second offspring of Tex, the first camel at LRZ. Evans was later sold to a circus.59

Superintendent Sprott kept the public informed through updates in the local newspaper about the new births at the Zoo. American zoos at this time saw animal welfare as

55 William K. Amo, “Zoo,” Parks and Recreation Department Annual Report, (Little Rock: 1947), 23-27. 56 Bylander, 19. 57 Ibid., 35-36. 58 “Second Tiger Born at Municipal Zoo,” newspaper clipping from scrapbook in private collection. 59 “Baby Camel, Born in Pouring Rain, One of Newest Attractions at Little Rock Municipal Zoo,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), August 26, 1945.

pertaining to only an adequate diet. Many municipal governments across the nation supported modest public menageries prior to the 1930s. However, early examples of municipal zoos typically lacked a perimeter fence, allowing the public unlimited access to the animals.

Funding for the Zoo weighed heavily on the mind of Superintendent Rambo in the

1920s. In 1928, he reported that the Zoo should be a top priority for the Parks and

Sanitation Department, stating that “the food bill for the Zoo in 1925 was approximately

$20 per month, whereas [in 1928 it cost] approximately $425 per month.”60 He noted the successes of the Zoo, but also noted that it surpassed the allowed budget for the year by over $2,000. The budget had been increased, but Rambo underestimated the cost of more animals and rising food prices produced for the Parks and Sanitation Department.61 The economy in Arkansas was already in crisis at this point, which created a poor climate for growing a Zoo.

A New Deal for the Zoo

The Great Depression and the arrival of New Deal work relief programs transformed American zoos. The availability of federal relief labor through New Deal programs introduced the golden age of zoo construction. Cash-starved communities turned to the federal government to either build new zoos, or complete projects started in the 1920s. Nearly, every zoo in America took advantage of New Deal relief labor programs.62

60 Ben E. Rambo. “Parks and Recreation Department Report,” Little Rock City Yearbook, Little Rock, 1927, 49. 61 Ibid. 62 Dunahue, 2-3.

The Works Projects Administration (WPA) was the largest and best known of the federal work relief programs. During the eight years of the existence of the WPA nearly

8.5 million people nationwide received WPA earnings. In Arkansas, the vast majority of the WPA projects provided necessary social services and infrastructure improvements. Most Americans remember the WPA for the roads, bridges, and buildings constructed by its Operations Division.

Pulaski County received the most federal money of any county in the state, with a total federal projects budget of $13.9 million.63 The New Deal federally funded projects provided the opportunity for zoos around the nation to undergo large building expansion. It expanded the public mission of zoos, and these Cat House and Monkey House programs initiated a complete transformation of the built by the Works Projects Administration, 1935, Little Rock American zoo. Today, the legacy of the New Deal is City Yearbook, 1935. Courtesy of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, City of Little Rock still evident through lovely restored and remolded Collection (BC.MSS.07.51) buildings, in art, and in the leadership of zoo professionals. Massive government investment during the 1930s enabled employees to have this opportunity.64

The WPA, during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency, transformed LRZ. The work completed at the Zoo between 1935 and 1937 set Little Rock apart in the state, because it had the only municipal zoo in Arkansas. The WPA program completed the Cat

63 Sam Morgan, “Work’s Progress Administration,” Encyclopedia of Arkansas, last modified July 7, 2015, accessed October 4, 2015, http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry- detail.aspx?search=1&entryID=2284. 64 Dunahue, 2-3.

House by 1937, which cost $80,000, as well as the Monkey House opened August 2,

1936 with a completed cost of $65,000. The WPA also built Hoofed Stock Pens and the

Peanut House. Three hundred men constructed the federal projects at Fair Park with a total project cost of $151,000.65 The majority of the structures built by the WPA were formed from native stone and are still standing today at LRZ. Not only did the WPA give people jobs in an otherwise challenging state of affairs, but also the WPA projects set the tone for the architectural styles of zoos. The WPA structures, made from native stone, started a unique architectural style in the City of Little Rock; this architectural detail caught the eye of many Little Rock natives and the use of the stone was soon adopted in the community.66 Upon completion of the WPA projects, the Zoo’s value increased to

$120,000.67

Nationally, politicians backed zoo projects because zoos provided wholesome recreational and educational opportunities for average Americans dispirited by the

Depression. Although most zoos operated under the direction and control of an increasingly elite group of professionals, the appeal of zoos crossed all class lines. The zoo served as an ideal advertisement for New Deal projects because it offered free entrainment for all ages, as well as recreational facilities.

The Zoo designed its development to please all visitors, and presented a low-cost, family oriented leisure experience. The City of Little Rock utilized the Zoo to give the public a clear visual representation of the physical transformations made possible by federal funding.68 Not only did the Little Rock Zoo participate immensely in New Deal

65 “Fair Park, Capital Projects Begin,” newspaper clipping from scrapbook in private collection. 66 Barr, interview. 67 “Zoo to Mark 60th Birthday.” 68 Dunahue, 70.

federal projects, but also the city felt that a beautiful zoo would draw out-of-town visitors and ultimately bring more money into the local community.69 Administrators, along with politicians, joined forces to improve the lives of the Zoo’s exotic animals by lobbying for physical improvements.70

In comparison to the average zoo of the previous decade, New Deal zoo projects represented major transformations in the standards of care for the captive wild animals.

Modern buildings and enclosures that featured technical innovations to promote sanitation and design concepts intended to improve animals’ mental health replaced rundown structures with design flaws that actually threatened animals’ health. While animal welfare was an integral part of the zoological world in the 1930s, zoo personnel did not feel that individual animals had formal legal protections regarding their care and housing.71

As the WPA funneled money and workers into city projects, Little Rock began to show signs of financial recovery. In 1935 the city and the federal government spent

$224,000 in Fair Park for beautification and new construction. This funding represented twenty times the amount previously spent on Fair Park in all of the years prior to the

Great Depression. Before the WPA projects, the Zoo rarely saw new construction projects. Throughout the latter half of the 1930s, New Deal programs supported and strengthened the Zoo.72

69 Dunahue, 71. 70 Ibid., 4. 71 Dunahue, 140. 72 T. V. Coyne, “Report of the Parks and Sanitation Department,” Little Rock City Yearbook (Little Rock: 1935), 35.

War Rations and Recovery

When the United States entered World War II in 1941, changes occurred locally and in zoos across the country. Although New Deal programs enabled expansion and support for zoos, rationing and a much smaller work force caused problems for zoos nationally. With tire and gas rationing, travel became an expensive and often unattainable luxury for the common American, so the Zoo did not have as many visitors from around the state and region to justify the number of animals and expenses for their care. At the time, the Zoo did not charge an admission fee, because it was part of the larger entity of

Fair Park and seen as a service of the city to entertain the public.73

However, the Zoo, as part of Fair Park, did not allow African Americans to visit in the early 1940s. On July 21, 1941, an unnamed curator of the Zoo presented a proposal to the City of Little Rock to designate one day a week for African Americans to be able to visit the Zoo. However, a number of African Americans protested the proposal, asking

“that the colored citizens be allowed to visit the Park any day of the week and that their privileges be improved.”74 After the board members at City Hall agreed to the rebuttal, they referred the matter to the Parks and Sanitation Department.75

African Americans were also barred from visiting other sites at Fair Park during the period. In 1941 the city completed the J. Curran Conway Pool within Fair Park, and the pool opened on May 28, 1942. From the very beginning attendance reached 1,800 people a day, which was the maximum allowable amount of the pool’s design. African

73 Harry Milton Wegeforth, and Neil Morgan, It Began With a Roar: The Story of the San Diego’s World-Famed Zoo, (San Diego: Pioneer Printers, 1953), 168-176. 74 Minutes of City Council, City of Little Rock Clerk’s Records, February 1940 – August 1942, web.littlerock.state.ar .us/WebLink/PDF/dezbdpen3fvt030onorijlme/10/Minutes-February1940- August1942.pdf, 387. Unfortunately, no records have been found as to how the Parks Committee responded to this issue. 75 Minutes of City Council, February 1940 – August 1942.

Americans, however, were not allowed to access to the Fair Park Pool. The lack of a public swimming facility for African Americans in Little Rock was a violation of the

Plessy v. Ferguson U. S. Supreme Court decision.76 The issues of integration at the Zoo and the J Curran Conway Pool in Fair Park were not resolved until statewide integration was adopted. 77

J. Curran-Conway Pool, known as Fair Park Pool, 1945, courtesy of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Leroy Scott City Pool Collection (BC.MSS.10.14), Box 2, photo 41.

In the 1940s, Fair Park struggled to care for its grounds and keep the State Fair in the area. Fair Park’s financial struggles were apparent on August 31, 1942, when the

Mayor of Little Rock, Charles. E. Moyer, vetoed an ordinance for the purchase of a

76 Plessy v. Ferguson was a U. S. Supreme Court decision that upheld the constitutionality of state laws requiring the segregation of public facilities, provided that that the facilities available to both races were of equal quality. This ruling was later rejected in the U. S. Supreme Court’s 1954 decision Brown v. Board of Education. 77 John Kirk, “Swimming against the tide of desegregation in Little Rock,” February 6, 2014, accessed October 9, 2015, http://www.arktimes.com/arkansas/swimming-against-the-tide-of-desegregation-in-littlerock/Content?oid=3199765, 1.

tractor and a sickle attachment for mowing grass at the corner of Fair Park Boulevard and

Zoo Drive, as he stated that

I am of the opinion that our revenue next year will be very much less than this year; and that our expenditures are likely to be very much more. Priorities and war restrictions on business will make it impossible for many business firms to continue operating; and I feel that many of these firms will not be able to pay their customary privilege tax to the city next year. Also, a great many of our taxpayers will be in the armed forces and they cannot be expected to pay taxes until they return.78

The City of Little Rock may have been preparing for the effects of the forthcoming war, and sought to avoid expenses it deemed unnecessary at the time. As seen by the exit of Superintendent Sprott, Raymond Gray, and Beckett in 1944, male employees were drafted for the war, or worked in factories. Meanwhile, zoos were not getting the care and attention they required to sustain the growth experienced during the

WPA projects of the 1930s. Despite these issues, the Zoo remained running and funded throughout World War II, although progress and development halted on the home front.79

Following World War II, the City Council restructured and created the

Department of Parks and Recreation in December 1945. The city placed the Zoo under the Department of Parks and Recreation at this time, which saw the Zoo as an entertainment venue as well as an educational tool for the city. This shows an important shift in the mission of the Zoo. Interim Superintendent Ed Hefele exemplified this change in 1946, when he reportedly gave educational talks to schools, orphanages, and scout troops about the Zoo. 80 At the end of the year, the Department published an annual report that summarized general successes and failures for the year. Astonishingly, the Zoo boasted an attendance record of over 100,000 people per year.

78 City of Little Rock Clerk’s Records, August 31, 1942, 12. 79 Wegeforth, 168-176. 80 William K. Amo, “Zoo,” Parks and Recreation Department Annual Report, (Little Rock, 1946), 22.

Letters were sent to school districts statewide, encouraging them to come learn about the Zoo. In 1947, for the first time, Hefele represented the Little Rock Zoo at the annual convention of the American Association of Zoological Gardens. The shift to Parks and Recreation provided more individualized city attention for the Zoo, and helped professionalize it throughout the latter half of the 1940s. In 1947, LRZ had six staff members, and boasted an increase of 150,000 visitors. Hefele served as superintendent until Raymond Gray returned from war in 1948. During Hefele’s tenure, the Zoo recovered from the setbacks of the war, sparked new educational initiatives, and encouraged professional engagement. When Hefele left the Zoo in 1948, and Gray took over as superintendent, these initiatives directed the Zoo’s progress into the 1950s.81

81 Amo, “Zoo,” 1947, 23-27.

Mid-Century at the Zoo

Through the hard work and diligence of its small and dedicated staff, the Little

Rock Zoo began to come of age in the middle of the twentieth century. Civic-minded community organizations and generous philanthropists helped the Zoo grow by donating animals and developing features designed to attract children. The national interest in all branches of science, sparked by the space race to the moon, influenced animal breeding, displays, and treatment. The new availability of federal grant funds augmented the Zoo’s ability to upgrade animal habitats and construct more buildings. In contrast, plentiful federal funds for interstate highways caused LRZ to lose part of its acreage to Interstate

630 and forced it to reconfigure its layout.

Changing Times

After serving in World War II, Raymond F. Gray resumed working for the City of

Little Rock in 1945 as a certified building inspector in the Public Works Department.

When the superintendent of the Zoo, Ed Hefele, resigned in 1948, Gray applied for the job and was the only eligible candidate.82 Gray said he came from a zoological family.

His father was the city’s first zookeeper, and he grew up in the house provided to the zookeeper adjacent to the Zoo at 5100 West Eighth Street. He started working at the Zoo when he was twenty-one years old, and he served as the assistant director prior to his

82 “Raymond F. Gray Named Director of City Zoo,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), newspaper clipping from scrapbook in private collection, 1948.

military service.83 The Little Rock City Council officially changed the top position at the

Zoo from superintendent to director by an ordinance passed in February 1949.84

Other changes that affected the Zoo at the end of the first half of the twentieth century included passage of Act 249 of the 1947 Arkansas General Assembly, which authorized the building of a stadium for college football games.85 The Little Rock City

Council approved leasing part of Fair Park for the stadium and the necessary parking area.

On December 6, 1948, the Little Rock City Council officially authorized changing the name of Fair Park to War Memorial Park in honor of both World War I and World War II soldiers.86 United States President Harry S. Truman stated during his address at the stadium dedication:

We are here to dedicate this beautiful park to the dead of two world wars, whose memory we should always hold dear. The brave men who lost their lives in those wars would approve of the way you have chosen to honor them. This park will be a place of rest and recreation. It is fitting that a war memorial should be something that can be used and enjoyed by the people. Nothing could be more appropriate than to devote a war memorial to those values of human life, which our soldiers died to preserve—the values of freedom and peace.87

Life in post-World War II America was a time of great societal change and upheaval. The City of Little Rock was central in that change. Racial integration influenced the Little Rock park system in this era. The city parks, including War

Memorial Park, were racially segregated, with the undeveloped Gillam Park, located on

83 “Gray Resigns to Take Over Job in Memphis,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), May 23, 1953. 84 City of Little Rock documents, Ordinance 7893, February 7, 1949. http://web.littlerock.state.ar.us/weblink/DocView.aspx?id=44563&page=64&searchid=09a3540a-c983- 45ed-bb29-e0a8fb8755bd&cr=1 85 Act 249 of 1947, Arkansas General Assembly, www.ark.leg.state.us., accessed October 19, 2015. 86 Resolution 1820, City of Little Rock Clerk’s Records, December 6, 1948. 87 Harry S. Truman: “Address in Little Rock at the Dedication of the World War Memorial Park,” June 11, 1949. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=13206.

the far south end of the city limits, set aside for African American residents. As late as the early 1950s, only certain days were set aside for African Americans to visit the Zoo.

Full integration was slow to come to the Little Rock Zoo and the city’s Parks and

Recreation Department following the 1954 United States Supreme Court case Brown v.

Board of Education, which called for the end of segregation in public schools.

The 1957 crisis over the integration of Central High School resulted in national attention focused on Little Rock as Governor Orval Faubus blocked integration by calling out the Arkansas National Guard, which he insisted was necessary to keep the peace. In reality the Guard had been given specific orders to block the entrance of the Little Rock

Nine into Central High School.88 President Dwight D. Eisenhower federalized the

Arkansas National Guard, and called out the 101 Airborne Infantry to protect the nine

African American students so they could attend Central High School. This crisis resulted in the closure of Little Rock public schools for the entire 1958-59 academic year and generally disrupted daily life in Little Rock.89

Running a Zoo

The Little Rock Zoo of the 1950s provided local citizens a place to escape from their everyday routines, have fun, and receive education on the animal kingdom. In 1952,

Little Rock reportedly had one of the most outstanding zoos in the country for cities with less than 250,000 people, according to the 1952 National Parks and Zoological

Convention.90 In 1957, the Zoo was the most popular facility in the park system, with

88 The Little Rock Nine was the first group of African American students enrolled at Little Rock Central High School in 1957. 89 John A. Kirk, An Epitaph for Little Rock: A Fiftieth Anniversary Retrospective on the Central High Crisis, (Fayetteville, AR: University of Arkansas Press, 2010), 146. 90 “Trio to Snip Ribbons, Open Monkey House at Zoo Today,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), February 1, 1953.

more than 200,000 patrons visiting the “animal kingdom in War Memorial Park.”91 In

1960, it was the only recognized zoo in the state, according to the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA).92

Local management at the Little Rock Zoo followed the national trend of creating an educational and conservation emphasis, rather than merely providing entertainment.93

W. K. Amo, who was the superintendent of the Parks and Recreation Department in 1953, attributed much of the early change in the Zoo to Gray. He said, “Considerable progress in expansion in scientific methods have been effected during his directorship.”94 Gray networked actively with other zoo professionals from throughout the country. In 1951, the American Zoological Parks and Aquarium Section of the American Institute of Park

Executives (AIPE) elected him to a membership position on its board, and then selected him to be the vice chairman in 1952.95

On May 1, 1953, Gray resigned to become director of the Overton Park Zoo in

Memphis, Tennessee. Gray said he regretted leaving his home state, but the Memphis job offered better opportunities. Although each position furnished a house to the director, the

Little Rock director’s salary was $3,960 compared to $5,000 in Memphis.96 Gray’s Little

Rock accomplishments included converting the old refreshment stand into the Elephant

House and the renovation of the Monkey House, which included the addition of a reptile

91 Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department Annual Report for 1957, UALR Archives University of Arkansas at ASI Little Rock Center for Arkansas History and Culture, PAM 04566. 92 In 2015, after several name changes since its founding in 1924, AAZPA is known as the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Although AZA did not officially accredit any zoos or aquariums until 1974, according to its website at www.aza.org, it always encouraged a high standard of care among its member agencies. 93 Building a future for wildlife: the world zoo and aquarium conservation strategy, World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, 2005, ttp://www.waza.org/files/webcontent/1.public_site/ 5.conservation/conservation_strategies/building_a_future_for_wildlife/wzacs-en.pdf 94 “Gray Resigns as Zoo Director,” March 26, 1953. 95 Ibid. 96 Ibid.

area. He brought numerous additional animals to the zoo during his tenure and initiated a successful breeding program.97

Raymond Squires was already a member of the Zoo staff when he succeeded

Gray as Zoo Director (among his numerous tasks, he served as the elephant keeper.) In addition to being coworkers, Gray and Squires had a unique bond because Squires’ quick action saved Gray’s life during an attack by an alligator. While cleaning the alligator pit, one of the alligators escaped from its restraints and grabbed one of Gray’s legs. Squires quickly pulled Gray away before the alligator could do any major harm. After being released from the hospital, Squires noted, “The only things that saved my life was the fact that I had thought several times what I would do if a ‘gator ever grabbed me and the fast action on Squires part.”98

The environmental movement brought the natural habitat and preservation of animal species to the attention of the public, and sparked changes in law such as the

Animal Welfare Act (AWA) of 1966. As a result of AWA zoos began to focus on recreating natural animal habitats rather than simply using cages. LRZ followed this trend by building new structures for the animals and developing educational programs. The

1960s brought an era of change:

Nature programs on television such as Wild Kingdom sparked a grass- roots interest in wildlife and conservation. Zoos began to realize that captive breeding was not only morally superior to collecting, it was becoming cheaper. Advances in field biology, veterinary medicine, and animal behavior restored the patina of cutting-edge science to zoos.99

97 “Mister Stork is Having a Busy Time Over at the Zoo,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), October 14, 1952. 98 “Squires Saves Director Gray from Jaws of Alligator,” newspaper clipping from scrapbook in private collection, Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, AR). 99 Vicki Croke, The Modern Ark: The Story of Zoos: Past, Present, and Future, (New York: Scribner Publishing Company, 1997), 160.

Changes in scientific research and practices impacted the way zoos operated nationally and at the Little Rock Zoo. New techniques in immobilizing and tranquilizing animals advanced the ability of zoo personnel to maintain healthy animals, as well as treat the sick and injured. LRZ Director Squires thought the newly acquired anesthetizing gun was important enough to announce its use to the Zoo Director Raymond Squires surveys his domain through a window. public, saying that he only used it in Courtesy of Arkansas Gazette, January 23, 1966 emergencies. Squires described the value of the new air gun that enabled him to inject anesthetic into a lion suffering with infected claws and to operate on one of the jaguars. Squires admitted that the amount of anesthetic to use was somewhat of a mystery, so with the supervision of a veterinarian, he injected the animals until they were asleep. The dosage caused both animals to sleep from Saturday until the following Tuesday without harm.100

Like Director Gray, Squires saw the importance of changes in the animals’ living arrangements. Under Squires’ direction, the Zoo tried to create the best environments possible for the animals by constructing displays that better represented natural environments. Later in the 1960s, Zoo staff experimented with mixing species together in living spaces to find the best possible interactions for animals. This sometimes had a less than desirable result. For example, placing condors with other birds of prey made the

100 “When Animals Get Sick, Gun Loaded with Sleep is Invaluable Weapon,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), August 6, 1959.

hawks and eagles afraid to get their food from the floor of their confine, and when an eagle finally tried to reach food, a condor killed it.101

Building Professional Methods

In keeping with national trends, Director Gray introduced a breeding program at the LRZ. This program showed major success in 1952 with over seventeen offspring born to a variety of species. The Zoo started to build enclosures for its animal population that imitated their environments instead of confining them to cages. In 1965, the Zoo took this even further by allowing fowl, including peacocks, guineas, and bantams, to run free instead of leaving them in cages; a practice readily defended by Director Squires.102

Little Rock citizens demonstrated their interest in the Zoo by making donations of both money and animals to help with its growth. One notable contributor was local philanthropist Raymond Rebsamen, who enabled the Zoo to purchase Ellen the elephant in 1954 as a companion for Ruth, who was the Zoo’s sole elephant up to this point.103

Another contributor to the Zoo during the early 1950s was the Little Rock Civitan

Club,104 which actively donated animals requested by the Zoo.105 In 1953, the Civitan

Club took on a major project for the Zoo that focused on building a space dedicated to small children, called the Kiddie Zoo. Rather than focus on exhibiting natural environments, the Kiddie Zoo was an entertainment driven space similar to a petting zoo, with a Mother Goose theme. As noted in an annual report:

101 “Condors Take Over Aviary; Test by Eagle is His Last,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), August 6, 1969. 102 “Little Rock Zoo’s Custom Is to Let Fowl Run Loose, Few Complain, Squires,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), May 27, 1965. 103 “At The Zoo,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), February 21, 1960. 104 Civitan International is an organization of community service clubs dedicated to helping others. There are Civitan clubs in more than 35 countries around the world, all working to make a difference. http://civitan.org/a-club-for-you/civitan/Civitan International. http://civitan.org/a-club-for-you/civitan/. 105 “Civitan Club Gives Zoo Eland Antelope,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), 1951.

An attractive gateway and fence has been erected south of the Lion House and the buildings and cages in the Kiddie Zoo have been constructed according to the master plan laid out for that area . . . Displays include the three little pigs and their individual houses, the red house with Mary and the lamb, the gruff goat castle, a red barn with three midget cows, donkey and colt and the pool of three otters.106

The Zoo held a number of events to involve the community, such as the annual

Easter Egg Hunt, which in 1953 was expected to attract 9,000 children.107 A compilation of attendance for Easter egg hunts from 1946 through 1955 reported a low of 4,000 and a high attendance of 9,000.108 In 1961, the Zoo offered educational tours and lectures to its patrons, and the Zoo was featured on ten radio programs.109 During this same year the

Zoo made accommodations for a steam locomotive, No. 101, which was installed in front of the Lion House. Big Rock Stone and Material Company demonstrated community involvement by donating rails and ties for the locomotive. In 1967, the Zoo installed tape players near the kangaroo pen, the elephant confine, the swan lake, the bear moat, and the locomotive. Each tape player provided descriptions of various animals and the locomotive.110 This addition enhanced the Zoo experience for patrons, because they were able to not only view exotic animals, but also have a more in-depth educational experience.

The community showed its love for the Zoo and the animals by participating in outreach activities such as annual Easter egg hunts and birthday parties for Ruth the

106 “Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department Annual Report for 1957,” PAM 04566. 107 “Zoo Hosts Easter Egg Hunt, Expected to Have 9,000 Children,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), April 5, 1953. 108 Parks and Recreation Report, Metroplan, 1955- , UALR.MS.0204. UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture, Arkansas Studies Institute, Little Rock, Box 1, Item 22, Table 4. 109 International Zoo Yearbook for 1961. (London, UK: London Zoological Society, 1962). 110 “Tape Recorders Will Play Descriptions of Various Animals and the Locomotive,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), July 4, 1967.

elephant, which always drew huge crowds.111 The Zoo publicized Ruth’s parties in the local newspapers and invited the children of Little Rock to be Ruth’s special guests.112

The parties continued until Ruth became too old to perform her circus tricks. LRZ also held birthday parties for Ellen the elephant. Suzann Barr, a Zoo member and donor, remembered coming to the Zoo in the 1950s and attending Ellen’s birthday parties, which according to Barr featured “ a room sized cake.”113

Although these are positive instances of community involvement, not every interaction with the community was good. In the early 1950s, rock-throwing patrons injured alligators on several occasions.114 When LRZ received a new alligator, the zookeepers kept watch to provide the alligator protection from patrons trying to harm it.

In February 1955, a group of vandals released wolves and foxes from their cages inside the Zoo, forcing Director Squires to shoot the wolves.115 Local newspapers reported other incidents such as visitors feeding golf balls to animals and using fishing poles to harm the ducks.116 The frequency of these incidents was due to the fact that many animals lived in cages that allowed visitors’ access to the animals through the bars. This issue came to a head in 1957, when a number of patrons were bitten after not heeding warning signs on the animals’ cages.117

When asked by the Arkansas Gazette what makes a person want to visit a zoo,

Squires stated that he believed some people came for what he called the “horror factor,” in which a person would want to flee an animal due to their innate fear of wild animals

111 In 1957, this Easter Egg hunt had 9,000 children who attended. 112 “Little Rock’s Ruth,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), March 6, 1966. 113 Barr, interview. 114 “New Alligator Added to the Zoo.” 115 “Vandals Release Wolves and Foxes,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), February 7, 1955. 116 “2 Animals at Zoo Fed Golf Balls,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), June 23, 1967. 117 Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department Annual Report, 1957.

but at the same time could not leave because of a fascination with such animals. He said that people who visit the reptiles to watch a snake being fed a small rodent best exemplified this. Others were drawn to the Zoo for natural comedians such as otters or graceful animals like zebras. Whatever reason people chose to visit, the Zoo provided them with endless entertainment.118

Changing the Way Zoos Care

As the mission of zoos moved away from entertainment and toward education, extensive planning became necessary. Successful species reproduction measures required reciprocal placements with other zoos. Zoos needed the ability to trade and relocate animals for the well-being of each species and to have a local genetic mix for healthy breeding. During the 1950s and 1960s, the Zoo did not have a concrete Master Plan.

Reflecting new environmental trends and an increase of conservation awareness during this time, there was a focus on animal breeding as the Zoo continued the animal breeding practices initiated by Director Gray. Efforts also increased in creating natural environments, implementing construction plans for new animal buildings, as well as structural updates. Gray implemented his successful plans for animal breeding before his departure in 1953.

With an increase in the animal population came an awareness of limited housing space. Reports from this period indicated that some planning was being done. Zoo personnel developed a list of desired animals and the facilities necessary to house them.119 In 1960, the Zoo decided to shift away from the architectural style of WPA

118 “The Most Popular Hit Show of All Time – The Zoo,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), January 23, 1966. 119 Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department Annual Report, 1957.

buildings because constructing similar buildings was too expensive. Toward the end of the 1960s, the Zoo implemented plans for three big construction efforts, which included housing for birds, chimps, and monkeys.

Another planning issue the Zoo faced was whether or not to charge admission.

The Zoo did not charge admission during the 1950s and 1960s, although the Little Rock

Board of Directors discussed it a number of times. In 1960, Director Squires advocated unsuccessfully for an admission fee to increase the Zoo’s yearly budget.120 The city manager also suggested an admission cost of ten cents per child and twenty-five cents per adult, because the city did not allocate money for building maintenance.121 In 1962, the

Little Rock Board of Directors again considered an entry fee without establishing one.122

In the 1950s and 1960s, the Zoo Director answered to the superintendent of Parks and

Recreation. The city government had a mayor and city council system until 1958, when the city changed the system over to a city manager and board of directors. With this change came a careful development of annual city budgets and plans.

The Zoo staff throughout the late 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s remained small. For example, in 1948, only six of seven positions were filled and turnover was a problem.123

Parks and Recreation Department reported the need for more staff in its 1957 report stating, “Unfortunately, the Zoo, like the Parks Maintenance Division, has the same number of keepers it had twelve years ago, despite the increase in [animal] population,

120 “At the Zoo.” 121 “Rising Costs May Force City to Charge Admission,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), November 23, 1960. 122 “Entry Fee is Being Considered,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), November 1, 1962. 123 Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department Fourth Annual Report, 1948, Little Rock City Playground Collection, MSS 98-14, Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Arkansas Studies Institute, Series 1, Box 1, File 6.

buildings, cages and general work.”124 Zoo employees performed a variety of tasks, from caring for the animals, to construction, and even trapping new alligators and snakes for display.125 In 1960, the staff consisted of Director Squires, Consulting Veterinarian W. F.

D. Garrett, and a total of ten staff,126 including five animal keepers, a concession stand operator, a night watchman, and an occasional laborer borrowed from the Parks and

Recreation Department.127 Six years later, the Zoo reported that the staff consisted of

Parks and Recreation Department supervisor Julius Breckling along with nine others.128

Funding Opportunities, Old and New

In the beginning of the Zoo’s history, the most common way to acquire animals was through purchase or trade with animal dealers and other zoos, or to receive them through donations from private citizens or organizations. At a 1962 convention, Squires made animal trades with other zoos.129 Trading was critical because in 1962 the Zoo had a budget of only $62,236 for costs such as daily operations and staff salaries.130 This left very limited funds for purchasing animals. In 1968, Squires again made trades after attending the National Zoological convention in Los Angeles, where he acquired multiple types of antelope.131 Depending upon the animal, acquisition required funding over and above operational expenses, whether from fundraising, grants, the city, or state sources. If the Zoo did not receive grants or have funds allocated for the purchase of animals, a good alternative was to stage private fundraising campaigns. Numerous newspaper articles

124 Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department Annual Report, 1957. 125 “City’s Zoo Officials Bag Alligators.” 126 International Zoo Yearbook 1960, (London, UK: London Zoological Society, 1961). 127 “At the Zoo.” 128 International Zoo Yearbook 1966, (London, UK: London Zoological Society, 1967). 129 “Director Raymond A. Squires Makes Animal Trades at Convention,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), March 11, 1962. 130 “At the Zoo.” 131 “The Trader Comes Back with 5 More,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), October 17, 1968.

reported on special fund drives to buy specific animals such as the three zebras purchased in 1957. World events resulted in only one zebra surviving because the ship carrying them from Africa had to travel a longer route when the Suez Canal crisis blocked its original path.132

Local civic organizations contributed to the Zoo during these two decades. For example, in 1967 the City of Little Rock passed an ordinance accepting a gift of $3,000

from the Downtown Little Rock Civitan Club to be

used for the Civitan Kiddie Zoo improvements. In

June of 1968, the need to raise money for a new

giraffe, to be a mate to the existing giraffe, became

a priority to the Zoo. A fund started for the

giraffe’s acquisition reached $3,630.57 by June 18,

1968; however, an additional $5,000 was needed to

meet the goal. Local businesses such as

McDonald’s contributed and volunteers canvassed

Kibo, LRZ's first giraffe, photographed neighborhoods to ask for donations. A little over a shortly after arriving at the Zoo. Courtesy of Arkansas Gazette, April 20, 1960. month later, an article about the need to ensure the new giraffe implied that the goal to purchase a giraffe had been reached.133

The Zoo also received federal funding alongside donations and fundraising efforts.

Several items in the 1957 Parks and Recreation Annual Report indicated a shortage of funding for Zoo programs. The City Council appropriated no money for animals during the year:

132 Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department Annual Report, 1957. 133 Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), August 7, 1968.

To really improve the Zoo, the unique and expensive animals are a must. These include Hippos, Giraffes, Kangaroos, and the like. However, special facilities for them also will be needed adding heavily to the expense. The Zoo buildings continued to deteriorate considerably as funds for repairs were cut from the budget early in the year. Shortly after January 1, 1958, roofing repairs will begin on the Monkey House as the new City Board of Directors appropriated $600.00 for materials. If additional money for repairs to other buildings is not forthcoming major construction jobs will be required to save the structures . . . Asphalt walkways are badly needed and it is hoped that this annual request will be granted in 1958.134 Barr gave first-hand information on the condition of the walkways in the 1950s when she visited the Zoo as a small child. Having grown up in a neighborhood near the Zoo, Barr states that walking to the Zoo was sometimes difficult. The walkways were not paved or stoned as they are in 2015 and not as safe.135

To help the Zoo purchase animals, the City of Little Rock established a special fund in 1962. Under old policies, any money received through donations had to be sent to the City of Little Rock’s general fund; however, in 1964, the city started another fund specifically for the purchase of animals.136 Even though the fund relied directly on contributions from individuals, businesses, and the sale of surplus animals, the money went to the Zoo and not to the general fund. In 1966, the city applied for $211,000 in federal matching funds for construction projects that were expected to be finished in the

1970s. Although AZA did not accredit zoos until 1974, the Arkansas Gazette reported that having a crematory would help the Zoo get federal accreditation, which could enable the Zoo to purchase animals directly from overseas dealers without quarantine restrictions. The accreditation referred to in this article was most likely the USDA

134 Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department Annual Report, 1957. 135 Barr, interview. 136 “Fund Started to Purchase Zoo Animals,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), February 5, 1964.

licensure required by the AWA.137 During this year, the Zoo received an $86,000 yearly budget, which the staff planned to use for expanding the facilities. The city proposed to build a crematory for $12,000 at the northeast corner of the property.

The Zoo received more funding in 1967 through various sources.138 The United

States Department of the Interior approved a matching grant of $174,060 to build new

Zoo facilities. In addition, the Zoo received $41,500 in federal aid to supplement the previous grant. The City of Little Rock passed multiple ordinances and adopted many resolutions concerning the funding of the Zoo. On June 19, 1967, it passed an ordinance appropriating $14,000 from the 1965 improvement construction fund. In this year, the

Little Rock Board of Directors passed multiple resolutions committing revenues received from the use of machines and sales of merchandise toward future appropriations for the care of the animals at the Zoo. Later that year in September, another ordinance appropriated $2,000 from the unrestricted balance in the general fund to go toward the purchase of two black leopards. In October, another ordinance appropriated $88,459 from the 1965 construction fund for zoo improvements. Unfortunately, in February of 1969, through no fault of its own, the Zoo lost funding for phase three of the $211,000 construction grant. The federal agency supplying the funds, the Bureau of Outdoor

Recreation of the Department of the Interior, suffered a cut in appropriations, including the loss of funds earmarked for zoos.139 Then in July, the United States Congress reauthorized the funds.140

137 “City Seeks U. S. Money for the Zoo,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), September 23, 1966. 138 Ibid. 139 “Zoo Looses Funds to Build Monkey Isle,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), February 19, 1969. 140 “Monkeys and Birds Get Fund.”

Building on the Past

In 1950, the layout of LRZ was simple, comprising the Elephant House, the Cat

House, and the Monkey House. While the Elephant House and Cat House sheltered only their namesakes, the Monkey House was home to monkeys, birds, and reptiles. In the

1950s and 1960s, the Little Rock Zoo started several improvements that helped to bring its structures into the modern era. In 1952, a new hay barn was constructed north of the

Elephant House to replace the older one, and three smaller animal cages were constructed on the northeast side of the Zoo. In 1959, the Zoo updated the Monkey House, including changing the aviary in the center of the building.

In 1953, the Civitan Club of Little Rock began raising funds to build the Kiddie

Zoo on the south end of the Zoo’s property. One of the most ambitious aspects of this plan was the instillation of a new working miniature railroad. Volunteers constructed the quarter mile of track in April 1960, and the gasoline powered train, built to look like a streamlined diesel, and its two coaches began operating two years later. While the Civitan

Club donations paid for the tracks and accessories, T. A. Fuzzell, owner of the amusement park concession stand, paid for the train in return for eighty-five percent of the profits from the sale of train tickets.141 The miniature train joined a steam locomotive and an F-86 fighter plane, which were also donated to the Zoo around the same time. The

Little Rock Optimists Club donated the locomotive, which had historical connections to

Arkansas through its forestry service. It was placed on the southern end of the Cat House

141 “Civitan Club Installs Train at Kiddie Zoo of Fair Park,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), June 13, 1962.

in April 1960.142

In 1960, the Civitan Club continued its efforts by expanding the existing Mother

Goose Fairyland in the Kiddie Zoo. Highlights of this endeavor included a castle, a windmill, a giant pumpkin, and a sixteen-foot-long shoe house, all of which held animals that the children could pet. Project manager Dr. Charles T. Roberts said they were trying to mimic the Kiddie Zoo in San Diego.143

Before 1950, the Zoo’s open animal enclosures were all of the same construction type, with walkways that took visitors into the air, above the animals. Construction

changes began at LRZ with

the addition of a new bear

and small mammal enclosure.

This new animal area was

the first major new

construction in the Zoo since

the WPA buildings in the

1930s. To achieve a nearness

Hurley Finley, 7, son of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson Fletcher, gets a to the animals that had not preview of the Civitan Club's sixty-passenger kiddie train at the Zoo. been thought possible before, Courtesy of Dan Miller, Arkansas Gazette, September 10, 1961. the Zoo employed dry moats so the viewing public could see the animals at the same level and bring closeness without the use of bars or nets. Builders decided these new enclosures moved away from the style

142 “Cage for Newest Animal, Old Iron Horse, Built at Zoo,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), April 21, 1960. 143 “Mother Goose Fairyland to be added to Kiddie Zoo,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), April 29, 1960.

set by the WPA buildings, adopting the more modern, flowing style that had been used on other structures such as the new pavilion at Boyle Park.144

After completion of the bear and small animal enclosure, in 1967, LRZ constructed a fox and wolf enclosure using the same dry-moat construction technique. It cost the Zoo approximately $50,000. An exotic birdhouse was also to be added to the

Monkey House for $31,000 as part of phase two of this planned expansion as mentioned above.

Next, the Zoo constructed a new entrance complex near Jonesboro Drive. This complex featured three buildings and a new fence. Two of these buildings were enclosed for office space, and the third was open with turnstiles to count incoming visitors. In 1969, phase three of this

Big Three Plan did not come to fruition. The proposed exotic birdhouse, chimpanzee enclosure, and a new monkey island were postponed until Jean Lonsdale pictured here admiring the "Another Treat for the Kiddies" the next decade due to lack of funds. model of a windmill, built by Harold Vaughan for the Kiddie Zoo. Courtesy of Arkansas Gazette, April 29, Perhaps the largest construction project to 1960. impact the Zoo was the construction of the I-630 Interstate Expressway in 1962.

Proposed by the Pulaski County planning board in 1941, this corridor was a part of the

Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways and was intended to connect the suburbs of western Little Rock with the downtown area, making

144 “Zoo to Lose its Old Look in Buildings,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), February 21, 1960.

it easier for commuters to work in Little Rock. This construction affected the Zoo in two ways. First, it cut off the Zoo from any expansion southward. From this time on, only expansion to the east or west was possible. This restriction was evident when the Zoo announced its next expansion, a 5.5-acre tract of land on the west side of the park in 1966.

Second, an off-ramp was constructed on the southern end of the zoo to connect the expressway to Fair Park Boulevard.

The announcement of the ramp took the Parks and Recreation Department completely by surprise. Superintendent W. K. Amo said that the expressway ramp was not in the original plan he had viewed and was upset because it eliminated half of the existing duck pond, a number of small animal cages, and portions of the Kiddie Zoo that the Civitan Club had been working on145. The ramp was to provide better access to War

Memorial Stadium, but “gladiators, at least the red and white jersey’d ones that generate all of the traffic, are only in town two-three times a year while the Zoo is visited all year round.”146 The protest efforts were not successful, and the ramp was constructed in the latter part of 1962.

Changing the Way We Care for Zoo Animals

In the 1950s, animal acquisition and breeding went hand in hand at LRZ. In previous years, in addition to donated animals, community fund-raising, and private philanthropy, the City of Little Rock had simply set aside money to purchase new animals to put on display. Now, the Zoo was breeding its own animals to keep its stock robust. Breeding benefited the Zoo in two ways. First, newborn animals were a boon to attendance, since the public flocked to see these cute additions. Second, the Zoo sold its

145 “Save that Duck Pond,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), January 3, 1962. 146Ibid.

extra newborns to animal dealers for profit.

The best example of this was the breeding program started in 1949 by Zoo

Director Raymond Gray. By 1952, Gray’s breeding program allowed the Little Rock Zoo to facilitate the births of seventeen animals of varying species. Some of the success stories included two births from two separate species in 1951. One was the birth of a lion cub by Lady, the Zoo’s oldest lion, which was notable because of the advanced age of the mother and the fact that the new lion cubs attracted additional visitors.147 The second was a jaguar cub, a healthy newborn that added to LRZ’s prestige. The program had some complications, such as the loss of a female puma named Puss, who died while giving birth.

The Zoo also made a number of acquisitions in the 1950s and 1960s that both strengthened its animal population base and helped to define the Zoo for years to come.

These acquisitions ranged in importance from standard zoo animals, such as two new black panthers in 1967 and a new camel in 1964, who gained notoriety by biting several children, to animals that defined how LRZ stood in the memory of its patrons. Some animals were a surprise, for example a Kroger grocery store donated an iguana accidently shipped to one of its stores in a crate of bananas.148 Local philanthropists continued to work with Squires to donate desirable animals throughout the 1960s. A. J. Heyden, a retired realtor, donated $2,500 to purchase two polar bears. Heyden said he originally wanted to donate Galapagos turtles for children to ride at the Kiddie Zoo, but Squires convinced him the polar bears were a better investment. Heyden named the bears Cele

147 Rebecca Burns Howard, interview by Joseph Alley, October 6, 2015, The Little Rock Zoo History Project, transcript and audio recording, UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture. 148 “Iguana Added to Zoo,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), December 16, 1954.

and Al after his wife and himself.149

In 1952, LRZ became the home of the largest captive alligator in the continental

United States, Big Arkie. A pair of farmers outside Hope, Arkansas, captured Big Arkie, and after spending the night in the city of Hope’s public kiddie pool, he was transferred to LRZ. He fought his handlers every step of the way in transit. Marlin Perkins, who later went on to gain much fame on the television show Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, came to the Zoo for the arrival festivities to help unload the alligator. Perkins commented that Big Arkie was the largest captive alligator he had ever seen.

A photograph of Big Arkie, after being captured. Courtesy of the Arkansas Democrat.

A newspaper article detailing his arrival at the Zoo does not state his initial habitat, but does say that the Zoo was ill prepared to accommodate him on such short notice.

After a small but indeterminate amount of time, Big Arkie called the large room at the center of the monkey building his home.150 While his tenure at the Little Rock Zoo was mostly uneventful, other than the public feedings that constantly drew huge crowds, one major incident was a fungal outbreak in his jaw in 1962 that made him extremely ill. Cod liver oil and heat lamps cured him quickly. Throughout his life, Big Arkie drew many

149 “Zoo Gets Two Polar Bear, Gift of Retired Realtor A. J. Heyden,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), April 15, 1966. 150 “13 foot Big Arkie Dies, Zoo’s Famous Alligator Famous Across the Land,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), August 2, 1970.

visitors to the Zoo, for example over 3,000 people came to the Zoo on his first day.151

In 1954, LRZ acquired its second famous pachyderm, Ellen the elephant. Ellen was a handful to her handlers while in transit, at one point breaking out of her crate at

Union Station in downtown Little Rock. The stationmaster let Ellen walk around and explore the building until her handlers came to pick her up, because he thought it was not a wise idea to attempt to corral the elephant himself. Pictures of the arrival show Ellen being paraded through massive crowds of people, giving the visitors a very close experience with the Zoo’s new resident. Docent Medine Watson recalls, “I remember going with my son and they would just let her walk around. She was about 4 or 5 feet tall and the kids could pet her and everything. She was such a good elephant…”152 The introduction to Ruth in the elephant house was tense at first, but the two elephants warmed to each other quickly, although at one point Ruth became agitated and trumpeted so loudly that many visitors ran away in fear.153

The Zoo ended the 1960s on a high note. Even though it was permanently cut off from any southern expansion, it countered this with a robust population of animals that garnered much fame. While it suffered many trials, LRZ always took whatever was in front of it in stride, all the while slowly tackling problem after problem and planning for its future. Just like the wooden crate that did not keep Ellen from seeing what the City of

Little Rock had to offer when she first arrived at Union Station, the Zoo continued to punch through any problem to continue on to its next venture.

151 Elizabeth Hennelly, “Big Arkie,” The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture, last modified February 25, 2015, http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=2213. 152 Medine Watson, interviewed by Jessica Erwin, October 2, 2015, The Little Rock Zoo History Project, audio and transcript, UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture. 153 “Statement on Ellen the Elephant: Zoo Announces Death of Ellen the Elephant,” Little Rock Zoo, last modified July 5, 2011, http://littlerockzoo.com/statementonellen.

Bringing Down the Bars

The history of the Little Rock Zoo in the 1970s was a continuation of the successes and problems from the end of the 1960s. LRZ faced the problem of acquiring and housing exotic animals since its creation. Beginning in the late 1960s, the issue of not having suitable living spaces for the incoming animals became increasingly relevant to the Zoo’s success. These conditions in the 1960s caused many animals to become gravely sick and some cases ended in death. This problem became evident, and LRZ addressed it with the 1967 Big Three Project proposal designed to make living arrangements more humane. This project continued through the end of the 1960s and was completed in the

1970s. Idea of implementing more conservation and education programs was a dream in the late 1960s, but became a reality in the decades to follow. The actions of LRZ staff, both good and bad, at the end of the 1960s planted the seeds of change. Those seeds grew into a whole new zoo focused on the well-being of the animals it housed.

Developing Community Connections

The infrastructure changes that took place during the 1970s and 1980s allowed the

Zoo to work more directly with the local community. LRZ held the first Zoo Days in

1972 that benefited not only the Zoo, but also the Museum of Science and Natural

History. Held in April of that year, the public paid the price of one dollar per person for admittance to the Zoo. The proceeds were split, with twenty-five percent going to the Zoo, and the other seventy-five percent going to the museum.154 The Zoo’s willingness to work with other local institutions, and even help raise funds for these organizations, shows the dedication that the Zoo had not only to itself, but also to the education of the

154 "Funds for Museum and Zoo," Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), April 23, 1972.

entire community.

In 1975, a new organization was founded to help get the public more involved with the Zoo. Ten Little Rock citizens announced the official start of the Friends of the

Zoo organization. The group's slogan, "You belong in the Zoo!" directly targeted the public in Little Rock in an attempt to engaged the community. Friends of the Zoo cited three main reasons for forming the group: education, volunteer work, and fund raising.

Memberships ranged in prices from three dollars for students to one hundred dollars for sustaining members. Chris Barrier, one of the founding members and president of the group, said, "It is important to note our function is to help and support the Zoo, not run it." 155 The creation of this group assisted the zoo tremendously in its public affairs over the course of the next decade.

In June of 1978, Friends of the Zoo started a drive to enroll 10,000 new members in the group. The membership fees changed slightly, with an eighteen-month membership for individuals costing five dollars. For an entire family the cost was ten dollars. Students and senior citizens joined for three dollars. Membership included Friends of the Zoo's monthly newsletter, Gnu Gnews, and an invitation to a members only Safari Party.156 In addition to this, Friends of the Zoo announced that the group or person that recruited the most new members would receive a four-foot-tall trophy. A Pleasures of the Zoo photography contest was announced, including prizes ranging from twenty to fifty dollars.157

155 Roger Armbrust, "Animals' Friends Say, 'You Belong in the Zoo!," Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, AR), June 15, 1975. 156 "Friends of the Little Rock Zoo," Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), June 9, 1978. 157 "Drive Started for Zoo Support," Arkansas Gazette, (Little Rock, AR), June 9, 1978.

That same year, Friends of the Zoo enlisted the help of the Young Democrats

Club at Hall High School to fund part of the cost of care for the Zoo’s donkey. This was part of a new animal sponsorship program that Friends of the Zoo started to assist LRZ in caring for its animals. The high school group chose the Zoo’s donkey to sponsor because it is the mascot of the National Democratic Party. The teenagers held a Donkey Party in

May of 1978 to help raise funds for the animal’s care.158 The animal sponsorship program was another way Friends of the Zoo assisted LRZ with its new focus on engaging the public while increasing the quality of animal care.

Two years later Friends of the Zoo announced that the group was attempting to

raise one hundred thousand dollars to help

the Zoo build its big cat exhibit. The

initial estimated cost of the project was

quoted at $750,000. The project was in

jeopardy of not being built because the

city did not have the funds to give to the

Zoo. Friends of the Zoo started a

campaign to raise additional funds to

show the state government that the

community was invested in the institution A photograph of a caged chimpanzee, which inspired the Bring Down the Bars Campaign. Courtesy of the Arkansas Democrat. and that appropriation of the needed funds

158 "Zoo Friends Plan Party," Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, AR), May 14, 1978.

was a solid investment. This was in line of the Bring Down the Bars campaign that proposed taking animals, such as the big cats, out of cages and placing them into enclosures that better resembled the animals’ natural habitat. Senator David Pryor served as Honorary Chairman of the Bring Down the Bars campaign.159

On July 12, 1985, the Zoo, along with Friends of the Zoo, announced that a great ape exhibit was to be built. To assist in the "largest single undertaking ever planned by the zoo," Friends of the Zoo campaigned for individual and corporate donations.160 Friends of the Zoo took its role in assisting the Zoo seriously, along with its commitment to the Zoo’s expansion and the direct effect that new exhibits had on the public. The educational opportunities found in new exhibits, such as the great An example of the logo for the Little Rock Zoo's Friends of the apes and big cats, allowed children and adults alike to Zoo. Courtesy of Arkansas Democrat. better understand animals’ typical behaviors. In

September of 1985, Friends of the Zoo announced an opportunity for the public to experience some of the Zoo’s wildlife in its natural habitat. A trip to Nepal and India allowed patrons the opportunity to see tigers, and other animals, while also learning about foreign cultures. The trip cost participants just under four thousand dollars, part of which was a one-hundred-dollar donation to Friends of the Zoo and LRZ.

159 Kelli A. Fagan and David G. Westbrook, "Bringing Down the Bars…," Gnu Gnews, April 1980, Vol. V, No. 4. 160 Kevin McDaniel, "Zoo to Build 'Great Ape' Exhibit with a Little Help from 'Friends'," Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, AR), July 12, 1985.

As important as fund raising was for the Zoo, it was not the only area in which

Friends of the Zoo assisted LRZ. The Explorer Program, founded in 1975, allowed children ages fourteen to eighteen the opportunity to work directly with some of the animals at the Zoo. According to long-time docent Medine Watson, “They didn’t go out and do any [educational] programs, but they did work with the keepers with cleaning and preparing the food. They also worked with all of the animals, not just the educational animals.”161 In 1977, Friends of the Zoo became sponsors of the program when the staff at the Zoo needed assistance working with these students. This program afforded students the opportunity to prove their capabilities and dedication to the Zoo. Students also had the chance to learn about general zoology. The Explorer Program helped involved the public with not only visiting the Zoo, but also with the upkeep of the grounds and the care of the animals. From fundraising to education, Friends of the Zoo helped to ‘Bring

Down the Bars’ at LRZ, and supported educational opportunities for generations to come.

Planning for a Better Zoo

With the passing of the Animal Welfare Act of 1966, the Zoo began to look at making the animals’ enclosures more like their natural habitats. Director Raymond

Squires attempted to make this happen by the end of the decade. The planned expansion of the Exotic Birdhouse, Chimpanzee Island, and Monkey Island was the largest project proposed. This expansion came to a standstill in 1969 when the Big Three Plan was put off until the proper funding could be raised. Over the next year Director Squires worked tirelessly to secure the funding needed for the major renovation. On April 12, 1971, LRZ announced that this project was ahead of schedule by a full year, and anticipated

161 Watson, interview.

completion by June of 1971.162 Funding for the projects came from two different sources.

Half of the funds came from a grant backed by the Federal Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, while the local government funded the remaining half. While these building projects were extensive, they were not the last additions made to the Zoo in the first part of the decade.

With the estimated date for the Big Three Plan being ahead of schedule, the Zoo began to focus on other areas that needed to be addressed.

LRZ proposed another building project in 1972. The City of Little Rock approved a resolution endorsing the construction of an animal nursery within the Zoo. The Civitan

Club Kiddie Zoo Committee pledged $10,000 of the proposed $22,000 price for the project.163 On April 25, 1972, the Zoo held groundbreaking ceremony for the nursery after the Civitan Club donated $24,000 for its construction.164 After the Civitan Clubs donation was used, another $11,000 was needed to complete the project and those funds were supplied by the City of Little Rock. Director Squires said that the intended use for the building was for smaller animals, such as squirrel monkeys and ferrets, unless a larger animal was in danger while caged with its parents. One instance he gave as an example was the newborn giraffe, Sunshine, who was kept in seclusion because its parents rejected it.165 After the nursery was completed in 1973, the way was paved for another large renovation to the Zoo.

In 1978, the Zoo announced its new Master Plan calling for some major projects and expansions to be undertaken. Under the plan, the first phase of work to be undertaken

162 “Zoo Expects to Complete 3 Projects by June 30,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), April 12, 1971. “History," accessed October 3, 2015, http://www.littlerockzoo.com/history. 163 “Civitan Club Pledges Donation,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), April 26, 1972. “History," accessed October 3, 2015, http://www.littlerockzoo.com/history. 164 Ibid. 165 “Animal Nursery Completed,” Arkansas Democrat, April, 1973. "History," accessed October 3, 2015, http://www.littlerockzoo.com/history.

was the addition of sidewalks within the Zoo. The second phase of the expansion was to build a Big Cats display that would initially house tigers and jaguars that the zoo already possessed; the plans later called for the addition of lions to the exhibit. LRZ completed the Big Cats display in 1982. When asked how this transition from being caged to a more free environment affected the cats Dr. Marilynn Baeyens stated that Buck, a tailless tiger that lived at the Zoo for many years, “had lived on concrete his whole life and he was absolutely scared to death of the grass and he never did go outside.”166 LRZ learned that having animals live on concrete and behind bars for the entirety of their lives was detrimental, and demonstrated the importance of changing the environments for all animals in the Zoo.

In order to make the Big Cats dream a reality and for the project to be completed on time, LRZ devised a plan to acquire additional funds. The thought of charging an admission fee for the Zoo had been proposed periodically to the City Directors for over a decade with no success. Finally, in 1981, recognizing that the implementation of the

Master Plan required money, the City Directors passed an ordinance that allowed LRZ to charge an admission fee. Beginning August 1, 1981, the Zoo charged a fee of one dollar for adults and fifty cents for children over the age of one. Some City Directors remained skeptical and proposed that the admission fee be placed under review in the following year to determine whether the fee was a success or not, but this amendment to the ordinance was not necessary.167 The zoo's relationship with the public was so strong that the first weekend LRZ implemented the admission fee it made $3,224.50 in profit from

166 Dr. Marilynn Baeyens, interview by Michael Criswell, October 8, 2015, The Little Rock Zoo History Project, transcript and audio recording, UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture. 167 Ordinance No. 14061, Section 1.

guests alone.168 The idea of charging a fee may not have been accepted at first, but the admission fee did not deter the public.

The next phase of the 1978 Master Plan involved the addition of an Aquarium in

1982. On September 15th, LRZ presented the Board of Directors with a proposal that stated that the intention of the aquarium plan was to "design, manufacture, install, and maintain balanced aquarium systems for special applications." These special applications provided the zoo with physical changes to the facility in the manner of

"restaurants, business offices, private residences, etc."

More importantly these applications would better the lives of the animals due to the The 1978 Master Plan layout. fact that "aquariums have been proven to decrease stress and anxiety and lower blood pressure without the use of drugs." While LRZ had the dream of becoming "the caretakers of nature's most beautiful creations, and to educate the public to the science of aquarium management and enjoyment,”169 this part of the project was never approved nor built on the grounds.

Even though the Zoo never constructed the aquarium, the proposal did prove to be helpful to LRZ. Three years after the idea was presented to the Board of Directors, the

Zoo and its supporters were still fighting to make the aquarium part of the facility. One

168 "Zoo Admission Fee Brings in $3,224.50 in First Weekend" Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, AR), August 4, 1981. 169 "Proposal to the Board of Directors," presented by the Friends of the Zoo, September 1982.

friend of the Zoo in particular that had joined the fight was Governor William “Bill”

Clinton. In an effort to gather more attention for the Zoo and to help acquire additional funding, Governor Clinton decided to become an active member of LRZ by making an appearance and giving a speech. In June of 1985, Governor Clinton visited the Zoo and showed his support for the proposal of the aquarium by naming June "Zoo Aquarium

Month."170 While his support was not enough to ensure the future of the Zoo Aquarium, this declaration presented LRZ with the publicity and the support needed to present to future potential investors.

Later that year in July, LRZ announced that a Great Apes exhibit had been funded with the help of Friends of the Zoo. $750,000 had been raised for the project that was planned to take just over three years to finish. The new exhibit included additional space for gorillas, orangutans, and chimpanzees. The Zoo did not have gorillas at that time; however Director Westbrook stated that, “two pairs of the animals will be obtained, with each set living, and hopefully breeding, in separate outdoor enclosures.”171 The funds for this project came from three different sources. In addition to the funds provided by the

Friends of the Zoo, funds from admission fees and state appropriations provided the remainder of the needed funds. This undertaking was enormous, specifically because

LRZ would now house one of the few ape exhibits in the world with all three species of great apes: orangutans, chimpanzees, and gorillas; later referred to as the Zoo’s “greatest single construction project ever.”172 Just over three years later, in October of 1988, the

Great Ape exhibit opened with an abundance of fanfare. On October 22nd and 23rd of

170 "Governor Proclaims Zoo Aquarium Month," Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), June, 1985. 171 McDaniel, “Zoo to Build ‘Great Ape’ Exhibit.” 172 Mark Oswald, “Zoo to Build New Great Ape Display,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), July 12, 1985.

that year, the Zoo held the Spectacular EscAPE event to celebrate the opening of the new exhibit. This event was coordinated with Halloween celebrations at the Zoo and included entertainment, rides, and a 5K charity Ape Run. Volunteers were on hand at the event to give literature to the public about the new exhibit and its inhabitants.

The expansion and building projects seen during the 1970s and 1980s helped improve the care provided for the animals within the Zoo. Most importantly, these projects got the animals out from behind bars and put them in enclosures resembling their natural habitats. While not all of the animals that lived in the Zoo embraced these changes, the projects had a positive effect for future animals that came to live in the Zoo.

Though the aquarium never came to fruition in Little Rock, the overall effect of the expansion of the zoo grounds was an overwhelming success that provided the LRZ with many opportunities in the years to come.

Building a Better Zoo, Inside and Out

The 1970s and 1980s for LRZ was when the organization transformed from an entertainment park to a legitimate zoo. Plans approved during this time called for additional space and a complete reconfiguration of its physical appearance. Starting in the late 1960s and extending through the 1980s, LRZ took on the challenge of no longer being an institute that displayed animals in barred-up cages, but instead became a safe haven for animal conservation. The changes that occurred throughout these decades created the image of the modern facility today. In addition to these physical changes, the staff of LRZ also evolved so that the focus of the organization was no longer zoo attendance, but instead the well-being and preservation of various animal species.

This transition began in 1967 with the approved funding for the Big Three Project.

Overseen by long-time Zoo Director Raymond Squires and completed in 1971, the Big

Three Project added the Monkey Island, the Chimpanzee Island, and the Exotic

Birdhouse to the permanent structures of the Zoo. The Monkey Island, the largest area built during the project, encompassed 11,600 square feet. The Chimpanzee Island, which was just a bit smaller, took up 7,000 square feet. Both islands were surrounded by twenty-foot wide moats and had waterfalls in order to circulate the water that surrounded the islands. The Exotic Birdhouse was placed in the old monkey and reptile house with a size of 4,000 square feet. These plans called for several pools of water, two waterfalls, various paved pathways, and tropical plants and birds.173

After the completion of the Big Three Project, LRZ paused its efforts to further advance the facility's infrastructure. This was due to the organization's internal transformation including various changes in leadership throughout the 1970s. These leadership changes began with the retirement of Raymond Squires on February 4, 1975, which ended an exceptional twenty-one-year career with the zoo. During his time with the Zoo Squires increased the number of animals from 250 to 780 and brought in "more exotic animals like the giraffe and the polar bear" while at the same time supervising the additions to the Zoo such as the "monkey islands, an exotic bird display, and a Kiddie

Zoo."174 Squires ended his time with LRZ on a high note: commended for the designs and plans that he implemented, which brought in more than half a million guests in 1974 alone.175

173 “Zoo Expects to Complete 3 Projects by June 30.” 174 "Director of LR Zoo to Retire from Job, But Not from Animals," Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), January 29, 1975. 175 Resolution No. 5331, City of Little Rock Clerk’s Records, February 4, 1975.

Charles Wilson replaced Squires as Zoo Director. Wilson's career with LRZ was short lived, adding up to only two years. Though he was there only for a short period of time, Wilson began one of the most needed programs for the organization. In August of

1975, Wilson began "the search of the rare species known as the 'docent'" whose main purpose was to "conduct zoo tours and also help in the office with zoo records and library work."176 Later, the Docent Program under Wilson transformed into an education program that still survives today. Even though Wilson began his career with such a successful program, his last months as director were clouded over by funding denials, investigations of questionable practices, and allegations that caused consistent fighting with the Board of Directors. All this led to Wilson stepping down as Zoo Director in

1977.

Although Wilson had been Zoo Director for only two years, his successor was in the position for an even shorter period of time. C. B. ‘Bird Dog’ Rogers was named Zoo

Director after the sudden departure of Wilson in early 1977. Rogers welcomed his duties and hit the ground running with an announcement of his plan to completely change the structure of the Zoo. In March of 1978, only a year after beginning, Rogers presented to the Board of Directors his proposal for a ten-year, $4.5 million Master Plan. The proposed vision was to create a better standard of living for the animals and create a more authentic experience for the visitors, which later became the Big Cats and Great Apes displays. Unfortunately for Rogers, the celebration of the approval of the Master Plan was short lived. The resignation of Rogers in June brought about the revelation that LRZ had failed its most recent inspection by the Humane Society. The inspector had been

176 "Legislators will discuss funds for Little Rock zoo," Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), August 13, 1975.

“visibly troubled by the state of the Zoo’s facilities and the extent of its violations of the

AWA of 1966.177 A year earlier, on July 14, 1977, Rogers had assured the Humane

Society that "the improvements would be made."178 Only Roger’s excellent record of accomplishment and his assurances of rapid change had prevented the inspector from announcing the violations at the time.179 After the inspections concluded, Rogers was found at fault for not following through with his promises, and the Humane Society called for his resignation. In July 1978, after only one year in service, C. B. Rogers resigned as being the Zoo Director. With Rogers’ departure it became clear that the Zoo required fundamental changes in order to remain viable.

While Rogers may have left under a less than desirable outcome, his one success happened to be one of the most influential changes to the Zoo's design. Following Rogers’ resignation, Robert Cooper stepped up to the challenge and took over the directorship.

Copper, by September 1978, addressed all the allegations that LRZ faced and under his supervision Dr. Keith Sherman, the USDA Veterinarian who had conducted the inspection, labeled the Zoo “a fine zoo”.180 With the issues of the Zoo resolved, Cooper turned his attention to conservation and the completion of earlier proposed Master Plan projects.

With Cooper handling inspections, the City Directors decided that they wanted to make a change to the LRZ. In August of 1978, in the middle of the controversy surrounding the Zoo, the City Directors passed an ordinance changing the name of the

177 Gary Hoffman, “Zoo Violations? Humane Society calls it 'trouble spot” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), June 22, 1978. 178 Ibid. 179 Ibid. 180 "'A Fine Zoo,' USDA Veterinarian Says After Inspection at Little Rock," Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, AR), September 9, 1975.

Zoo from the Little Rock Zoo to the Zoo of Arkansas. The directors reasoned that the facility did not belong to the city but instead to the citizens of Arkansas.181 While the name had officially been changed, usage of the new name was never implemented. The announcement of the name change was overshadowed by the inspections, and the state never supported the observance of the name at the Zoo. Three years later on August 18,

1981, the Zoo confused the public with the announcement that the organization changed its name back to the "Little Rock Zoo.” Since the name change happened without any implementation on the Zoo's signs or pamphlets, the citizens of Arkansas had no idea that the name had been changed in the first place. Of all the transformations that LRZ experienced throughout the 1970s and 1980s, this one was probably the simplest.

As director, Cooper focused mainly on the creation of conservation programs in the Zoo. By 1981, Cooper had successfully associated the Zoo with the Species Survival

Plan (SSP), which granted access to a cooperative population management and conservation program.182 After creating the Zoo’s new conservation and breeding programs, Cooper focused on completing the 1978 Master Plan.

After five years of chaotic changes in supervision, LRZ finally evolved to have a modern staff led by a director who wanted progress. The organization got back on track with the Master Plan and future transformation of the facilities physical structure. By

1982 the staff was successful in raising the two million dollars needed to turn the southwest corner of the Zoo, which was once used as an archery range, into a pachyderm house for the elephants and rhinoceros. Marie Greene, a zookeeper since 1980, explained how the area used to look. Greene recalled the change to the area:

181 Ordinance No. 6075, Section 2, City of Little Rock Clerk’s Records, March 10, 1978. 182 “Species Survival Plan,” Little Rock Zoo, accessed 10/3/2015, http://www.littlerockzoo.com/ speciessurvivalplan_1.

If you go down to the Zoo and you go to the two small stone bathrooms that are across from the elephants, between the tiger exhibit and the elephants, back then if you were to take those two buildings and come out into a V and where they met in the middle, which is now where the tiger exhibit is, that's where the old break room used to be for the staff. That's where we had our freezers and stuff and that's also where the staff parked.... where the elephants are now, the building has been expanded, it's been built and added on to over the years. But their yard was very small and there was a road that went in front of it, between those stone bathrooms and the elephant exhibit. There was a road that went right there. The east side of the cathouse, between the cathouse and the elephants there was this lawn that's all part of the elephant exhibit now. The road that was between the bathrooms and elephants is all part of the exhibit now too.183 Greene continued to later reference the building in which the interview was being conducted and said "this where we are right now didn't even belong to the Zoo. This was part of the Naval Reserve."184 The Naval Reserve was in the southeast corner, and the plan called for its reconstruction from buildings used for storage by the Naval Reserve into "several service buildings for offices, food storage, and classrooms."

In addition to the changes that occurred on the south side of the Zoo, other improvements were made in various areas of the facility. The Master Plan called for new entrances and a system of new walkways for the Kiddie Zoo, located around the pond in the middle of the Zoo. Greene also recalled that prior to the opening of the Big Cats display, the cafe was built in the location of the mentioned pond, which was the original location of the cats. "The cafe, if you walk into the middle of that building, there used to be a huge pond in there, in the center of that building."185 Other miscellaneous improvements were added, such as a new train station that was built for a small train that ran the entire length of the zoo.

183 Marie Greene, interviewed by Jeremy Larson, The Little Rock Zoo History Project, October 4, 2015, transcript and audio recording is available, UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture. 184 Ibid., 51-52. 185 Ibid., 338-339.

The biggest improvement completed in 1982 was the Big Cat display. The 1978

Master Plan called for the entire middle of the facility, which at that time was unused space, to be changed into an open-air exhibit containing lions, jaguars, and tigers. The

Big Cat display was placed in the center of the zoo, to the east of the Giraffe display.

Finally, after four years of work, the first phase of the 1978 Master Plan had been completed and on June 23, 1982, the Big Cats exhibit opened to the public. Ultimately this plan expanded the Zoo and updated its exhibits for the pleasure of not only the public, but the animals as well.

A proposal was written to the Board of Directors to install an aquarium at LRZ.

While the aquarium was never built, its design model showed how serious the staff was to turn this facility into a zoo of the future, for both its guests and the animals. The proposed construction project was planned to take place in three phases. The first phase was to “consist of the public exhibit.”186 The main tank in the aquarium set to hold 1,200 gallons of water with the total exhibit spanning 4,600 square feet. Phase two of the project proposed another 2,400 square foot addition for a laboratory and classroom space.

The laboratory was to be used for research and disease recognition and treatment. The classroom was to be used as an educational tool for school groups that toured the zoo.

The third phase of construction planned another 2,400 square foot facility to house a hatchery to “breed specimens for the exhibit and for research, with surplus specimens being sold wholesale to local dealers.”187 While this project was never approved or built on the grounds, the final phase was implemented in a different way three years later.

186 “Plans for Proposed for Aquarium,” Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, AR), April, 1982. 187 Ibid.

Even though the plan was later rejected, it was just the beginning of changes being suggested to better the Zoo.

The 1978 Master Plan was not completed and called for additional changes to the

Zoo. While the Great Apes display was still being constructed, LRZ decided to alter the plan to add exhibits. In February 1983, a new design model was presented to the Board of

Directors that added new exhibits to the layout of the 1978 Master Plan. The new amended Master Plan called for the expansion of the Giraffe Exhibit east of the new Big

Cats, and the creation of new displays for alligators and camels. The Camel Display was to be located to the north east of the Giraffe Display and the alligator pond was relocated to the area north of the Big Cats. After the creation of a new set of blueprints detailing the structural design of the facility, Director Cooper and Friends of the Zoo presented the new Zoo model and budget to the City Directors. This amendment to the original ten-year

Master Plan was approved and starting in 1983, LRZ was tasked with making this transformation take place.

In 1984, Director Cooper decided to retire, and David Westbrook was elected to take his place. When Westbrook assumed the position he immediately went to work. He picked up the momentum that Cooper started and continued to usher LRZ into the future.

On July 12th, Westbrook presented the public with the new face of LRZ, the new logo, and announced the details about the new exhibits to come, specifically the Great Apes.

The location of the Great Ape display was in a newly acquired area west of the zoo, in-between the chimpanzee enclosure and the Monkey Island. Greene recalls that it was "part of the perimeter for the Zoo, the perimeter gate or fence may have been what is

now the Great Ape display.”188 Westbrook informed the public that this exhibit would feature the natural settings found in the Big Cat display and included an "elevated walkway over the exhibits."189 This design was the opposite of what the facility had at that time for the primates. Mrs. Greene described how they lived before the changes as "a big cage that had glass in the front."190 After this announcement, construction started and three years later on October 22, 1988, the Zoo opened the Great Ape display to the public.

With the dedication of the Zoo employees, and help from people throughout the state, the

Zoo was able to recreate itself into a modern zoo that became more appealing to visitors.

More importantly it bettered the way of life for the animals that reside within.

Zoological Programs

During the 1970s and 1980s the Little Rock Zoo saw its greatest struggles with issues of animal health and welfare. From its lowest point in the pivotal year of 1978, to

AZA accreditation in 1985, the Zoo managed to transform into a world-class zoological organization. However, the Zoo had difficult times throughout this era with regard to the welfare of the animals. The Zoo, as well as the need for better facilities can attribute this to the acceptance of older animals. At least five animals died at the Little Rock Zoo in

1970.

One of those deaths was that of Big Arkie, on July 30, 1970. Big Arkie was a thirteen-foot alligator that was caught in Yellowstone Creek near Hope, Arkansas, by Ed

Jackson. Zoo Director Raymond Squires said that the alligator had not been eating normally over the past few years before its death.191 At one time, Big Arkie was

188 Greene, interview, 64-65. 189 Oswald, "Zoo to build 'Great Ape' exhibit.” 190 Green, interview, 83. 191 “Big Arkie Dies,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), August 8, 1970.

considered the largest alligator in captivity in the western hemisphere. Upon the alligator’s death a fund was set up in order to preserve its body. The taxidermy body was displayed at the zoo, and after some time LRZ donated Big Arkie to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and his body resides at Arkansas State University to this day.

On a more positive note, 1972 saw the acquisition of two rare Nicobar pigeons.

Director Raymond Squires announced in December that Dr. John A. Teeter acquired the birds and donated them to the zoo. Squires stated that, “They look like anything but pigeons.”192 The acquisition was a major victory for the zoo, as there were only a few of the bronze and green birds in the country. As the decade progressed, zoos around the country, including the Little Rock Zoo, began to shift their focus to environmental conservation.

Captive breeding and stewardship of endangered or rare animals were seen as practical methods to combat species extinctions in the wild. By the selective breeding of animals housed in different locations, zoos could ensure genetic viability in captive populations until such time that habitat reintroduction could occur. While these programs shifted zoos’ focus from simple exhibition to one with legitimate scientific value, some saw little difference in terms of actual living conditions for the animals. One man was quoted as saying, “Has man become so avaricious that he cannot spare endangered species more than a few feet of concrete and steel in which to ‘survive’? If that’s the very best that we humans can do, maybe we had best stuff a pair of each wildlife species and put them in a museum. That way, at least, there would be an end to the suffering.”193

“History," accessed October 3, 2015, http://www.littlerockzoo.com/history. 192 “Dr. Donates Pigeons,” Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), December, 1972. “History," accessed October 3, 2015, http://www.littlerockzoo.com/history. 193 “Dr. Donates Pigeons.”

Such statements signaled the public’s desire for better conditions for captive animals. The old practice of simply caging animals for display without regard for comfort or welfare was no longer acceptable. The Zoo had already begun moving away from these types of displays with the building of the monkey and chimpanzee islands. In years to come, the new exhibits were fashioned as closely as possible to the animal’s natural habitat.

In 1981, Zoo Director Bob Cooper implemented the AZA's Species Survival Plan

(SSP). "The SSP began in 1981 as a cooperative population management and conservation program for selected species in zoos and aquariums in North America. Each

SSP associated zoo managed the breeding of a species in order to maintain a healthy and self-sustaining population that is both genetically diverse and demographically stable."194

SSP supplied the Little Rock Zoo with "a variety of other conservation activities, such as research, public education, and re-introduction and field projects."195 This one plan successfully addressed some of the major concerns for conservation and education programs that had faced the Zoo for years. SSP opened the door for LRZ to expand its conservation and education programs while gaining the national recognition of other zoos.

Since its creation, the SSP has played a major role in the conservation of zoo animals nationally. Membership with the SSP granted opportunities for LRZ to breed its animals with other zoos affiliated with the program. To participate in these breeding programs, the Zoo had to adhere to the standards and regulations set by the SSP. One major requirement was the outlining of the Zoo's breeding mission statement and an organized strategy of how these regulations are kept. This was addressed by then Zoo

Foreman James Bousquet with his publication of the Little Rock Zoo Exotic Animal

194 “Species Survival Plan” 195 Ibid.

Husbandry Program, which outlined the organization's goals and responsibilities for breeding. The established mission statement detailed in this manual was "to create a natural environment of a complex and varied nature so that every specimen in the zoo can lead a normal, healthy, and productive life."196 This provided the zoo with a prepared

"comprehensive husbandry program outlining the short and long-range goals necessary to achieve maximum health and productivity of the animal collection."197

The year 1982 began with the facility's recognition from another publication, the

Little Rock Zoo Procedures and Zoo Husbandry Manual. This manual updated the 1981 publication's procedures and regulations for breeding zoo animals and added a focus on conservation. The manual was co-authored by Bousquet, Zoo Director Bob Cooper, and

Education and Docent Director Anna Paterson, and outlined the function of zoo. It stated that:

The Little Rock Zoo serves (1) in a recreational and educational capacity by providing exhibits concerning animal life and habitat for public viewing, (2) as a conservation center by breeding endangered and threatened animals, and (3) as a research facility, by keeping biologically significant records on all animals, and by making the zoo facilities available to students engaged in research in the life sciences field.198 Viewed as a legitimate breeding and conservation program by various zoos associated with the SSP and AZA, this publication helped to provide the Little Rock Zoo with well-needed positive recognition.

On July 8, 1984 the Zoo unveiled Dolly, an elephant temporarily on loan from her home in Louisiana. She provided companionship for the aging Ellen the elephant. Ellen, who had been housed at LRZ since 1954, was in need of a partner and the Zoo was able

196 James Bousquet, Little Rock Zoo Exotic Animal Husbandry Program, (Little Rock, AR: Little Rock Zoo, 1981), 1. 197 Ibid., 3. 198 Bousquet, James, Robert Cooper, and Anna Patterson, Little Rock Zoo Procedures and Zoo Husbandry Manual, (Little Rock, AR: Little Rock Zoo, 1982), 3.

to lodge Dolly for five months. Furthermore, Dolly provided rides to children that visited the zoo.199 Many children who grew up in Arkansas in the 1980s have taken a ride on

Dolly and remember the experience fondly.

In December 1985, The American Association of Zoological Parks and

Aquariums (AAZPA) awarded LRZ with National Accreditation. Zoo Director

Westbrook stated, "The accreditation was a culmination of an effort by zoo officials that began in the mid-1970s." In the AAZPA commission report, LRZ is described as a "small, select, generally well-managed collection of animals. Efforts of good propagation, including artificial insemination"200 This accreditation was an honor that came with additional funding and access to other zoo breeding programs that were associated with the AAZPA. This presentation of this award to LRZ proved that all it had done to overcome the issues in the late 1960s and early 1970s paid off.

199 "A Friend for Ellen," Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), July 8, 1984. 200 "LR Zoo among elite group with national accreditation," Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, AR), Monday, December 23, 1985.

Survival of the Fittest

Great prosperity marked the beginning of the 1990s. After the completion of the

Great Apes Exhibit, the Little Rock Zoo (LRZ) was bestowed one of its greatest honors, accreditation by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums

(AAZPA)201 in 1985. LRZ in the 1990s endured a variety of circumstances. All forthcoming factors impacted the City of Little Rock and LRZ. This decade’s challenges and successes helped further shape the Zoo. LRZ encountered a lack of financial support from the city, the loss of accreditation with AZA, a dramatic shift in administrative leadership, and the Zoo becoming its own department within the City of Little Rock.

Rising Up in Little Rock

The local climate in the 1990s helped shape Arkansas as the media, politics, and community changed. The creation of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette influenced future media considerations for the Zoo, and the United States elected its first U.S. President born and raised in Arkansas. The Zoo continued to host celebrations that engaged the community, all while celebrating its new accreditation by the AZA.

The media made a mark on LRZ. After years of production, Arkansas’ two oldest and most renowned newspapers, the Arkansas Gazette and the Arkansas Democrat, merged to become the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. On October 19, 1991, the Arkansas Democrat-

Gazette produced its first issue under its new identity. The historic newspaper created an important impression with its depiction of LRZ during the 1990s, publishing numerous articles about the Zoo and its animal family. The paper showcased animal births,

201 Now known as the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

programs, and celebrations at LRZ, such as Ellen the Elephant turning 40 in 1990, and the Zoo celebrating its newest Halloween Festival in 1992.

Arkansas politics made a great impact, not only on Little Rock, but the nation as well. William “Bill” Jefferson Clinton, Arkansas’ fortieth and forty-second governor, who, during his tenure, pushed for changes in Arkansas’ educational systems, launched his Presidential candidacy in 1992. Clinton housed his presidential headquarters in Little

Rock. As governor, Clinton had some influence on the Zoo during the 1980s by declaring

June as Zoo Aquarium Month in 1985. On November 3, 1992, Bill Clinton won the election and became the forty-second President of the United States. He delivered his acceptance speech from the front steps of the historic Old State House in downtown Little

Rock. Arkansas had finally achieved national recognition as the home state of the First

Family of the United States. The Zoo continued to celebrate Zoo Aquarium Month throughout the 1990s.

Mayor Jim Dailey had a major influence on the Zoo. Chosen on January 1, 1993, Jim

Dailey served a two-year term as Mayor of Little Rock. Under Mayor Dailey’s leadership, many changes took place in the local area. During Daily’s tenure as mayor, the Zoo underwent great architectural and administrative changes. In 1994, the Little Rock Board of Directors wanted input from local residents on how they wanted to see the $30 million in improvement spread throughout the city.202 Some of those changes had a direct impact on the history of LRZ. Mayor Dailey appointed George Leonard Mallory III to serve on his Blue Ribbon Task Force, which was charged with the task of helping the Zoo get accreditation back after losing it in 1998. Mallory and other members of the Blue Ribbon

202 Kevin Freking, “LR Directors want input on improvements,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock, AR), September 6, 1994.

Task Force conducted an investigation of the Zoo to help determine what its problems were and how best to address them. Mallory, Brad Cazort, and several others created a detailed plan of changes that needed to be made if LRZ was to survive and get its accreditation back from the AZA. They created what came to be called, the Master

Plan.203

Zoo Days continued to be a highlight for the local community and the Zoo as well.

LRZ continued to celebrate Zoo Days throughout the early 1990s. After its initial debut in 1972, Zoo Days entertained the masses with educational festivities, live music and

television personalities. While Zoo Days continued

to be a success, Little Rock's Riverfest established

firm competition with the Zoo’s celebration.

Founded by the Junior League of Little Rock as the

Summer Arts Festival in July 1978, the first

Riverfest presented the American Wind Symphony

and other activities at Murray Park.204 When the

River Market district opened in downtown Little

Rock in 1996, however, this area hosted the festival.

Zookeeper Kelli Westbrook Kelli Westbrook, wife of Zoo Director David photographed with a baby waterbuck. Courtesy of the Arkansas Democrat Westbrook and former zookeeper, stated that, “Zoo Gazette. Days was like Riverfest, so they stopped doing Zoo

203 George Mallory, interviewed by Cody Berry, October 6, 2015, The Little Rock Zoo History Project, transcript and audio recording, UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture. 204 Conor J. Hennelly, “Little Rock Zoo,” Encyclopedia of Arkansas, last modified May 19, 2010, http://m.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/detail/?entryID=2301.

Days because the two events were so much alike.”205

During the summer of 1997, LRZ was a co-sponsor for the ChimpanZoo Conference, alongside the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) and the Jane Goodall

Institute. LRZ and UALR also participated in Orangutan Awareness Day with the

Orangutan Foundation International and initiated various other educational days devoted to the primates residing at the Zoo.206

Making Changes

A comprehensive Master Plan pulled the Zoo towards an overall goal. It also expressed the mission and direction the Zoo wanted to travel. As the 1990s rolled in,

LRZ’s focus changed from entertainment and recreation, and moved even further toward education, animal preservation, and habitat conservation. Another focus—an idea thought of in the 1970s—aimed to help the public learn about animal habitats and to help educate the community about the necessity of a zoo. Exhibits changed from cages to habitats mimicking the animal’s native surroundings. To accomplish this vision, LRZ needed to make renovations and additions. David Westbrook worked hard to implement these ideas.

Westbrook, who began working for LRZ in 1977 in the Carnivores Department, became the director of LRZ in 1984.

Zoo education is another component of LRZ mission. In the beginning of 1990, the

Little Rock School District named committees for three projected magnet programs, including Zoo Magnet. Zoo Director David Westbrook was a committee member for this effort. The Zoo also offered summer and volunteer programs. In the same year, the Zoo

205 Kelli Westbrook, interviewed by Stephanie Sims, September 27, 2015, The Little Rock Zoo History Project, transcript and audio recording, UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture. 206 Dr. Mark J. Hartmaan, letter written to David Westbrook, March 5, 1997.

conducted multiple programs with the City of Little Rock. Safari to the Arts was a free picnic with friends and children who enjoyed entertainment by local arts organizations.

The Zoo conducted Conservation Day, which was an educational program teaching the importance of preserving and managing wildlife. This event provided awareness to the community about the importance of the animals and the Zoo.

In the fall of 1995, LRZ and Friends of the Zoo identified the need for a new, comprehensive Master Plan to guide the Zoo into the twenty-first century. Both the city and the Zoo determined that the Master Plan was a priority and initiated a nation-wide search for a consultant. After an extensive search, LRZ hired CLR Design, a

Philadelphia-based group as the principal for this development project. Jon Coe, from

CLR Design, brought several entities to this project, which provided additional expertise and recommendations. LRZ headed down the road to improvement with assistance from other firms and consultants like Shultz and Williams, Gail Laulie, and Dr. Dennis Merritt.

The result of this yearlong study happened to be a comprehensive Master Plan that addressed design and exhibit issues, as well as an exhaustive business and marketing plan that outlined funding strategies for implementation.207

The Little Rock City Board of Directors, the City Manager, the Department of

Parks and Recreation, and Friends of the Zoo unanimously endorsed the documents of

Phase I of the Master Plan. LRZ pursued funding strategies from the business plan and had several successes in this area. Designed for completion in five to seven years, the

Master Plan provided a completely new approach and appearance to the Zoo.208

207 David Westbrook, “A Report on LRZ,” presented to the American Zoological Parks and Aquariums Association, March 20, 1997. 208 Ibid.

Receiving approximately $1.5 million that year, LRZ barely sustained bills, salary, dietary needs of the animals, maintaining—not expanding—its current buildings, and other small necessities. LRZ wanted a separate departmental budget from the City of

Little Rock’s Parks and Recreation division. This change allowed the Zoo to collect more revenue. City Director Brad Cazort stated that he felt Parks and Recreation largely neglected the Zoo. He felt that they didn’t have as much passion for the Zoo.209 For a chance to potentially gain more funds, LRZ needed to become a stand-alone department.

Living for the City

The Department of Parks and Recreation, which oversaw LRZ at the time, consistently communicated the Zoo's long-term plan and objectives to the City of Little

Rock’s Mayor and City Board of Directors. During the beginning of the AZA accreditation process, the City Board of Directors endorsed the efforts of LRZ and pledged its full support for any feasible measures to improve and directly benefit the

Zoo.210

Friends of the Zoo, a nonprofit organization that assisted LRZ by providing educational, financial and volunteer support, began an evolution that brought the group closer to an organizational model that enhanced the overall efforts of LRZ. Once it was time for the Zoo to prepare for its next AZA accreditation inspection, Friends of the Zoo worked closely with Director Westbrook, the Zoo’s staff, and the City of Little Rock for further improvement. Friends of the Zoo’s implemented plan made great strides, including increased volunteer efforts for special events.

209 Brad Cazort, interviewed by Danielle Butler, September 25, 2015, The Little Rock Zoo History Project, transcript and audio recording, UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture. 210 David Westbrook, Introduction.

The plan included successful private sector fund-raising efforts held during the calendar year. The year 1996 exceeded all fund-raising efforts for the previous 19 years combined. It reshaped Friends of the Zoo Board to focus on policy issues related to the support organization and fund-raising strategies for LRZ, solicited volunteer support from the F. J. Wills Agency, one of the area's most prominent marketing agencies, successfully competed for several foundation grants, and initiated efforts to increase product sales to benefit Zoo improvements. In 1997, Friends of the Zoo developed and funded a $200,000 marketing campaign. The campaign aimed to increase community support and awareness about LRZ. Friends of the Zoo and LRZ worked towards the completion of a comprehensive operating agreement that guided both organizations to success.211 The operation agreement had a completion date set for June 1997.

Adequate funding is vital for overall operations of an organization like a zoo. LRZ operated through the City of

Little Rock as a division of Parks and Recreation throughout the

1990s. Unfortunately, LRZ’s Meriel Riddle, five-month old little girl, is introduced to budget did not receive the funds sixteen-year old Mary the elephant by her father. Courtesy of the Arkansas Gazette. necessary to complete its vision.

LRZ, therefore, gathered funding from different sources. The beginning of this decade was marked by fundraising and community involvement. In 1990, retail giant Kroger

211 David Westbrook, 5.

donated $18,000 to help build the children’s zoo. In March of 1990, Little Rock’s

Advertising and Promotion Commission agreed to contribute up to $20,000 toward a feasibility study for redevelopment of the amusement park area at War Memorial Park.

The implementation of the redevelopment study, once funds were granted, focused on an animal-themed park at War Memorial. On June 30, 1990, LRZ organized the 5th Annual

City Picnic at the Zoo. Here, a patron could ride Mary, the sixteen-year old Asian

Elephant for a fee. Mary became the main attraction, and this thrilled the local children and adults alike.

The City of Little Rock’s annual budget is another source of income and funding for LRZ. At the beginning of 1990, through an increase in property taxes and residential garbage fees, the City of Little Rock accrued a budget increase of $501,407. These funds helped the Zoo survive during financial cuts. In that same year, the Metropolitan National

Bank made a generous donation to exhibits. LRZ added the African lion exhibit, and worked to open Lemur Island.

In the 1990s, LRZ organized its first Boo at the Zoo, which became the largest

Halloween festival in the state of Arkansas.212 Annually, local volunteers become heavily involved with planning and decorating for the fun-filled event. Boo at the Zoo continues to draw thousands of adults and children for after-hours Halloween-themed fun. Debbie

Thompson, curator of carnivores, stated, “We do Boo at the Zoo now, which gives the community a safe place to go for Halloween instead of the door-to-door trick or treating, which is becoming a thing of the past. Kids come out here. They trick or treat. They can

212 “History.”

ride rides. We have food… We have an animal program [during Boo at the Zoo]. We have a costume contest. It’s a bit of a big deal.”213

Following other contributions in the past, the Little Rock Civitan Club continued their support of LRZ. In 1998, the organization gave $100,000 for the construction of an

outdoor amphitheater.214

The Zoo made an effort

to increase revenue

through a growth in

admission prices.

Admission rates

increased twice during

the 1990s. Initially

Live entertainment during an annual Boo at the Zoo. Courtesy of the raising prices in 1990, private collection at the Little Rock Zoo. the Zoo charged two dollars to admit anyone over the age of thirteen, one dollar for children, and fifty cents for Zoo members. The Zoo’s adult admission rose from three dollars to five dollars, and children’s admission rose from one dollar to three dollars in 1998. Admission rates doubled and funds increased, so financially the Zoo did extremely well, but its attendance declined. In a six-month period, from January to June 1998, the Zoo collected $386,524, compared to $285,515 collected the previous year.215 Approximately 154,235 paid and free visitors attended in the first six months of 1998, compared to 184,747 in 1997’s first

213 Debbie Thompson, interviewed by Shakeelah Rahmaan, September 27, 2015, The Little Rock Zoo History Project, transcript and audio recording, UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture. 214 Hennelly, “Little Rock Zoo.” 215 Jake Sandlin, “Zoo attendance falls with rise in admission; new exhibits are expected to compensate,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock, AR), August 21, 1998.

half.216 However, the increase in price placed LRZ ahead of its revenue pace. Patrons of the Zoo may have dwindled in numbers, but remained firm in their commitment to the future of the Zoo. Though visitor attendance was down with the rise in prices, this trend did not last long. The Zoo continued to increase prices throughout its history, and patrons continue to visit and bring others to showcase the wonders of LRZ.

In 1997, the Zoo continued to receive a $1.5 million budget from the City of Little

Rock. The city contributed $750,000 while the profits of LRZ contributed the other

$750,000. LRZ’s current budget sustained its exhibits, but to expand and improve, LRZ needed to acquire additional funds. Funding is one of the Zoos major challenges, as there is a high cost in operating and maintaining the Zoo. In order to help the Zoo maintain funds, and to eliminate the reoccurring problems the Zoo faced with the city, the Board of

Directors supported the creation of the Zoo Foundation. Chairman of the Zoo’s Board of

Governors, George Mallory III and Gus Walton, incorporated the Foundation. The Zoo

Foundation was to be totally separate from the Board of Governors, making it its own branch of LRZ’s organizational structure.217

Arranging Habitats

In October 1992, LRZ inherited a building contract agreement with LA Design

Company in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Witsell Evans and Rasco, now WER Architects and Planners, in Little Rock, for a joint venture for the Children’s Discovery Zoo Project.

The funding for this project was accrued through fifty percent of the Zoo’s admission fee and the City of Little Rock’s share of the cost was $35,000. The City Manager authorized the contract for a sum of $68,500. The Children’s Zoo at LRZ represents the animals and

216 Ibid. 217 Mallory, interview.

habitat found within the state of Arkansas. It loosely represents a walk from the northwestern corner of the state to the southeast corner, passing through areas representing the Prairie, the Ozark Mountains, the Arkansas River Valley, Ouachita

Mountains, and the Mississippi Alluvial Plain (or Delta). Each region is represented in its natural state, culminating with an exhibit of man’s impact on the landscape with domesticated animals in the Arkansas Farmyard.218

“I think this Zoo as with all zoos will continue to be a good zoo I think probably in the next fifty years it will evolve into a more educational resource as we lose species on the planet…I think zoos will become more important to kind of keep those species alive as man has destroyed most of their other habitats around the world. But it will also educate people about the importance of the Rainforest and the African Savanna, the importance of recycling and the importance of being a good steward of the earth.” 219

The Discovery Park Master Plan also included a new entrance for the Zoo. The new entrance served as the front door to the existing Zoo and the recently completed fitness center. Once patrons entered the plaza, an enclosure, provided by four structures housing ticketing, administration, food, gifts, birthday rooms, and rest rooms, created a festive village-like atmosphere.220 During the same year, Friends of the Zoo opened a new gift shop, which became a huge success for the Zoo.

The construction of new exhibits began in the late 1990s. Lemur Island was completed in 1997. This exhibit became the first exhibit built at LRZ in nine years.

Lemurs from Madagascar came to LRZ to live in this new habitat. Also, because of the

218 Liz Williams and Tommy Jameson, “Conceptual Site Plan for the Children’s Zoo: An Arkansas Discovery,” LADC+WER A Joint Venture, January 1994. 219 Bryan Day, interviewed by Hilary Hatley, October 1, 2015, The Little Rock Zoo History Project, transcript and audio recording, UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture. 220 Charles H. Shaw, “Little Rock Zoo Assessment and Master Plan Proposal for Design Services,” LA Design Company, July 7, 1995.

generous gift from Metropolitan National Bank, LRZ added the African Lion exhibit.221

LRZ completed the African Lion exhibit in time for its lion, Casey, to live out his last days.

Taking Action

The LRZ is associated with the AZA Species Survival Plan as part of its conservation efforts.

“The mission of an AZA Species Survival Plan (SSP) Program is to cooperatively manage specific, and typically threatened or endangered, species population, within AZA-accredited Zoos and Aquariums, Certified Related Facilities, and Sustainability Partners. There are currently more than 450 SSP Programs, each managed by their corresponding Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGs), within AZA. Each group is responsible for developing a comprehensive population Studbook and a Breeding and Transfer Plan, which identifies population management goals and recommendations to ensure the sustainability of a healthy, genetically diverse, and demographically varied AZA population.” 222

During the 1990s, animal deaths and illnesses were apparent at LRZ. In 1990,

Ollie, who was a prominent gorilla at the Zoo, died of kidney failure. Chelsea, an orangutan, died January 24, 1990, at the age of fourteen. Chelsea became ill with the flu, which developed into pneumonia. An African Wart Hog named Porky, died from

Salmonella in 1991. Deaths are a reason for the importance of the SSP. In 1998, more zoo animals passed away. During that year, Kayla, a giraffe, died of an unknown long- term illness. Zookeepers found Kelly, a baby kangaroo, deceased in her habitat.

To better care for the animals at the Zoo, LRZ tried to learn from past experiences.

A polar bear named Casey, died on January 2, 1992 at the age of twenty-one years old.

Casey died of heart failure (acute circulatory failure). Polar bear, Tish died six months

221 “History.” 222 “Species Survival Plan Program,” Association of Zoos and Aquariums, accessed October 9, 2015, https://www.aza.org/species-survival-plan-program/.

after her mate, Casey, passed away. After having polar bears, LRZ wondered if they should continue to house them. The warm climate in the south is not conducive for polar bears. Zoos have evolved, and standards to acquire polar bears also changed. During the transition from the previous standards and requirements to house polar bears by the

Marine Mammal Act of 1972, the first act of the United States Congress called for an ecosystem approach to natural resource management and conservation,223 LRZ retained its polar bears because it had them prior to the higher standards. Unfortunately, retaining polar bears did not last long in the history of LRZ.

Standards in the 1990s required more expensive exhibits. LRZ needed about $10 million to build habitats for polar bears. The exhibit that housed Tish and Casey was no longer considered adequate. The size of the habitat was not large enough for polar bears.

In addition, zoos housing polar bears are now required to have water that’s cooled to appropriate temperatures. At the time, LRZ used water from the tap. LRZ has not acquired polar bears since the deaths of Casey and Tish. Debbie Thompson stated that the

Zoo would probably not acquire polar bears anytime in the near future, because of

Arkansas’ climate and a lack of funding.224

Acquisitions are a necessity at the Zoo. Along with breeding, acquiring animals for exhibits keeps the public interested in continuing to visit and in return provides income for the Zoo. LRZ acquired many animals during the 1990s, some of which later gave birth to new animals at the Zoo through the SSP. In 1991, Snortin’ Norton, a sloth bear, was born at LRZ. Norton then transferred to a zoo in Alabama where he grew up. In

1992, the Zoo received orangutans from the San Diego Zoo in California. Acquiring

223 “History.” 224 Thompson, interview.

animals from other zoos is also a part of the SSP. The SSP recommends animals for certain zoos. Zoos swap and trade with other zoos to attain different animals. In 1993, the

Zoo received Fossey, a male silverback gorilla from the Columbia Zoo in Ohio. Born in

1986, Fossey was the patriarch gorilla at LRZ and named after the primatologist, Dian

Fossey. LRZ received lemurs in 1997. They live at Lemur Island, previously Chimpanzee

Island, as part of Primate Island. Lemur Island features the Ring-tailed Lemur, Black

Lemur, and Blue-eyed Black Lemur.

Debbie Thompson, the curator of carnivores, is also Studbook Keeper for cacomistle. Studbook Keepers accumulate records of cacomistle at zoos all around the country. Records of new births are added and older animals are removed after death. The

Studbook is utilized to manage the population to decide how many pairs can be bred each year and which of the animals should be bred.225 Births are celebrated, as they help conserve animals and keep LRZ running. Several species of animals are endangered or threatened, and zoos help to secure populations for those animals with breeding. More animals need to be born in order for the species to continue to exist. On June 2, 1990, an

LRZ zebra birthed a baby at the Zoo. Another newborn was birthed, Pork Chop, a warthog, to Porky II and Bess, in June 1992. To comply with the Species Survival Plan,

LRZ refers to the plan for the need of the species, the space for the animals, and how to take care of the animals.

New animals serve as a major attention getter. LRZ tiger, Sheena, gave birth to four tiger cubs in 1994 at the Zoo, three of which survived. The Nashville Zoo in

Tennessee shipped Bengal orange tiger, Sheena and her white and black sister, Dhari, to

225 Thompson, interview.

LRZ on indefinite loan as the Nashville Zoo tiger habitat received renovations. Sheena’s cubs attracted a lot of visitors to the 15th Annual Zoo Days celebration. Nearly 20,000 locals came to celebrate at LRZ. The cubs moved to the Nashville Zoo later, but are fondly remembered by the patrons who had a chance to see them.

Moving Forward

After initial accreditation with AZA in 1985, LRZ received its re-accreditation in

1991. During its next systematic inspection for accreditation in March 1996, several deficiencies were found, 226including the need for new educational graphics for all exhibits, an expansion of the lion exhibit, and the construction of a storm-water drainage system to comply with the Department of Pollution, Control and Ecology.227 On January

1, 1997, Brad Cazort was appointed as a member of the City Board of Directors. When

Cazort first took office, he visited LRZ and was not happy with what he observed.

Shortly after Cazort’s visit, the Zoo lost its accreditation with AZA, and then later lost their licensure with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), because the

Zoo missed its renewal deadline. After several inspections with AZA, LRZ regained temporary accreditation through a one-year extension in March 1997. The Zoo was granted this extension for improvement and to comply with AZA standards. On May 15,

1998, David Westbrook resigned as the Zoo Director for LRZ, after the City Parks and

Recreation Department’s administration indicated that he could be dismissed over job performance.228

226 Resolution No. 9665, City of Little Rock Clerk’s Records, accessed October 31, 2015, http://web.littlerock.state.ar.us/weblink/0/doc/35735/Page1.aspx. 227 David Westbrook, 2 228 Erin Schulte, “Accreditation group meets task force, looks over LR Zoo,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock, AR), September 1, 1998.

When I was there [at LRZ], we were a part of the Parks and Recreation Department. Our budgeting scale was equal to a golf course or a tennis center. After I left, the people that they were interviewing for zoo director said that it had to be set up entirely different or it will never be accredited. One said, “Zoo was at the end of the alphabet, but it shouldn’t be at the end of the budgeting process.229 While the Zoo had temporary accreditation, it continued to operate without a USDA license. The USDA license is vital for keeping mammals. “They don’t license you for reptiles or birds, but they do license you for mammals. If you do not have a USDA license, you cannot maintain mammals.”230

The Agriculture Department notifies zoos sixty days before their licenses expire.

Zoos must submit a check for the license renewal. Interim Zoo Director Carroll Hargrove stated that the check “got stuck somewhere at City Hall, and the USDA didn’t get the check in time.” The USDA license had expired November 28, 1997231, and city officials did not become aware of the loss until the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette published the story on June 13, 1998.232

On July 10, 1998, AZA took away LRZ’s accreditation, mainly over the Zoo’s loss of its USDA license for exhibiting mammals.233 The Zoo’s loss of USDA license and accreditation with AZA happened during the time LRZ was still a division of Parks and

Recreation Department. LRZ remained a division of Parks and Recreation until 1999.

The long journey for separation ended when the Board of Directors voted and made LRZ

229 David Westbrook, interviewed by Amy Gragert, October 7, 2015, The Little Rock Zoo History Project, transcript and audio recording, UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture. 230 Cazort, interview. 231 Danny Shameer, “U.S. investigates LR Zoo License expired in 1997; no plans for shutdown,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock, AR), June 13, 1998. 232 Jake Sandlin, “Zoo group quizzes LR on license loss,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock, AR), June 21, 1998. 233 Jake Sandlin, “Group pulls credentials of LR Zoo Lack of U.S. license to exhibit animals cited” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock, AR), July 11, 1998.

a stand-alone city department.234 Separated from Parks and Recreation, this new structure permitted LRZ to consume all funds generated from its revenue, hire its own staff, and start plans for public involvement. Later in the year, LRZ created the Board of Governors.

Consisting of a nine-member group serving a three-year term, the Board of Governors responsibility was to help improve and support LRZ. Brian Day stated:

In 1999, when I became the Parks Director and the Zoo was a part of the Department we lost our accreditation with the national Association of Zoos and Aquariums [AZA] we had some issues with the USDA [United States Department of Agriculture] with some ways we were managing the animals we had a real complicated relationship with our volunteer friends group.

We had some management issues and the Zoo’s budget was inadequate. It did not have the community support that it needed to thrive. And so one of the first things we did, I did as Parks Director working with the City Director Brad Cazort, we took the Zoo out of the Parks Department and made it its own stand-alone agency, its own stand-alone department. 235 In December 1999, LRZ rejoined the Species Survival Plan after losing its accreditation a year prior. To gain its license back, LRZ needed to pass an inspection, which included implementation of improvements such as new educational graphics for all exhibits, the design and construction of a quarantine facility, the implementation of a regular and comprehensive pest eradication program, expansion of the elephant exhibit and development of an Elephant Management Policy, and expansion of the lion exhibit.236 LRZ also added a third section on to the Big Cats display for lions. Other renovations included improvements to the rhino exhibit, acquiring a black rhino in the adjoining exhibit to provide interaction for this single animal, developing a comprehensive operations manual, constructing a storm-water drainage system to comply

234 Jake Sandlin, “Board votes to make zoo a department Directors agree to end contract with Friends,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock, AR), January 27, 1999. 235 Day, interview. 236 Resolution No. 9665.

with the Department of Pollution Control and Ecology, constructing a compost facility, and completing a comprehensive Master Plan and business plan to guide the Zoo into the twenty-first century.237

As noted by City Director Bill Buten:

…As staff continues to identify needs for LRZ, I will continue to utilize every available resource to help the Zoo accomplish its objectives. The Department of Parks and Recreation provides support to LRZ through the Design Division, Maintenance Division, Resource Division and Development Division. As a part of the large Department, LRZ has access to additional technical and professional expertise as well as additional manpower and equipment…

After LRZ lost its AZA accreditation in 1998, the newly created Board of

Governors began reviewing résumés for a new Zoo Director to replace David Westbrook.

Those sixty to seventy résumés were narrowed down to five, who all were eventually interviewed. After that, the Board of Directors chose three and sent the three to the city manager to choose. The Zoo’s Board of Governors and the city manager chose Michael

Blakely as Zoo Director because of his experience working at other zoos in the west.

Mike Blakely chose to accept the position and remains there today. 238

This was all part of the Zoo’s plan to get its accreditation back from the AZA.

The AZA held a conference in St. Louis two years after Director Blakely began his employment at LRZ. Director Blakely, City Manager Brad Cazort, and Chairman of the

Board of Governors, George Mallory III, went there to give a presentation on the Zoo.

They recounted what happened before their time working for LRZ, all the changes they had made to comply with the standards, and how the Zoo’s new administrative structures,

237 David Westbrook, 7. 238 Mallory, interview.

like the Board of Governors, worked. After LRZ’s representatives’ formal presentation to the AZA was completed, they were dismissed to another room where George Mallory began pacing back and forth “like a banty rooster.”239 The men were called back to the main room where they lined up in front of the AZA crowd, which slowly began to stand and applaud. The members of the AZA thought that LRZ had become one of the best examples of how to get back on track once accreditation had been lost. Soon after the

AZA Conference in St. Louis, LRZ was reaccredited in 2001.240

The Little Rock Zoo retained its status as Arkansas’ only zoo accredited by the

AZA in 2001. In just three years, much like its animals, the Zoo adapted to new living conditions and had survived one of its most difficult decades. Now, the Zoo had brand new exhibits, animals, new governances, a new funding apparatus, and it had shown that it was here to stay. LRZ proved to be a permanent fixture and celebrated feature of the

City of Little Rock, Arkansas. It endured a complete revitalization and still attracts over

300,000 patrons each year, many of them from out-of-state, and even international visitors come to see LRZ. Under the direction of Mike Blakely, and with help from some staff who have been there for years, the Zoo continues to keep its head held high.

However, the fight wasn’t completely over in 2001. There were still many details to be dealt with in the twenty-first century. Friends of the Zoo, adequate animal care, and funding are all issues that the Zoo had to adapt to and overcome in the new millennium.

Even still, the Zoo knew just how to deal with this change. The 1990s had prepared LRZ for anything, and this time it had the leadership it needed to prove that it too was going to survive whatever was to come.

239 Ibid. 240 Mallory, interview.

A Zoo for the Future

At the end of the twentieth century, the Little Rock Zoo was in the middle of a very difficult time. The AZA and the United States Department of Agriculture had revoked the Zoo’s accreditation and license,241 Director Westbrook resigned, and it took several months to select the new director, Michael Blakely.242 Fortunately, in 1999, the

Zoo Board of Governors was created by a task force, with the assistance of Little Rock

Mayor Jim Dailey, that allowed the public to become more involved with the Zoo and changed its budget structure.243 With the assistance of the Board of Governors, LRZ was allowed to become its own department within the city. It currently competes with thirteen other departments and commissions for funding.244 LRZ regained accreditation, and worked toward increasing public interest in the Zoo. Through the last decade and a half,

LRZ has worked to increase funding in order to become the best zoo possible for its size.

Community Perspective

Improvement efforts for the Zoo displayed themselves in many different ways through the next decade. One of the strongest examples of LRZ’s improvements was through partnerships with local businesses and organizations such as the Kiwanis Club of

Little Rock, Hiland Dairy, Metropolitan National Bank, Dillard’s, Safari Club, Little

Rock Civitan Club, Francis Hopkins Foundation, and many others.245 These partnerships

241Sydney Tanner, interviewed by Jason Littleton, The Little Rock Zoo History Project, October 04, 2015, transcript and audio recording is available, UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture. 242Michael Blakely, interviewed by Bridget Wood, The Little Rock Zoo History Project, September 24, 2015, transcript and audio recording is available, UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture. 243 “Zoo Board of Governors,” City of Little Rock, accessed October 31, 2015, http://www.littlerock.org/CityCommissions/?ID=31. 244Truman Tolefree, interviewed by Jessica Erwin, The Little Rock Zoo History Project, October 12, 2015, transcript and audio recording is available, UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture. 245 2002 Annual Report, (Little Rock: Zoo Board of Governors, 2002).

helped to fund certain events, such as Zoo Days and Boo at the Zoo, and long-term programs such as internships to educate teenagers and young adults.246 The majority of these partnerships provided money to assist LRZ with various projects while the longer partnerships focus on specific events or projects within the Zoo. Hiland Dairy,247 in particular, works with the Zoo on many occasions. The dairy is best known for the Hiland

Dollar Day that is held every year, which started in March of 2009. On this day, Hiland

Dairy donates enough money for guests to have one-dollar admission to the Zoo, and sells its own dairy products for a dollar to Zoo visitors. Each October, it also has a booth at Boo at the Zoo that gives away S’mores.

The Little Rock Civitan Club and the City of Little Rock partnered with the Zoo and contributed funds to build the Civitan Amphitheater, which was completed in

2003.248 This pavilion is used for educational programs and shows, such as Winged

Wonders, where animal trainers present birds such as falcons and eagles in live performances.249 Winged Wonders is a popular show aimed towards children to teach them about wildlife and conservation.250 The Zoo continuously reaches out to the Little

Rock community in smaller ways by improving education about animals and conservation on a local, national, and international scale, such as Zoofari Days, which is an education program for children, and inviting the public to help vote for new acquisitions.

246 2004 Annual Report, (Little Rock, AR: Zoo Board of Governors, 2004.) 247 Coleman Dairy became a subsidiary of Hiland Dairy in 2007, and began operating as Hiland Dairy in 2013. 248 Little Rock Civitan Club Newsletter. (Little Rock, AR: Little Rock Civitan Club). 249 "Winged Wonders: A Soaring Live Experience," Little Rock Zoo, accessed October 2015, http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs041/1100812304616/archive/1102530181656.html. 250 Blakely, interview.

Unfortunately, not long after becoming re-accredited in 2001, the United States economy went through a difficult time. There was a small recession in the early 2000s that led to the Great Recession of 2008,251 impacting LRZ by decreasing funds available to the city and citizens’ abilities to afford memberships and visits to the Zoo.252 The

Board of Governors chose to combat this by finding ways to interest the public in the Zoo again with new exhibits and events.253

The city of Little Rock did not have enough funding either, so with Mayor Mark

Stodola at the helm, the city began working toward the passage of the One Cent Tax in

2011.254 This two-part sales tax uses five-eighths of every cent toward city operations, including the Zoo, permanently. Three-eighths of every cent is used to assist in technology, emergency services, and construction for ten years. The tax period will end in 2021. There are two parts to the One Cent Tax: a permanent part and a temporary tax.

The permanent part of the tax has strict rules about how each department uses its money, but the temporary tax is more flexible. LRZ uses the permanent tax as operating dollars for basic zoo functions, but the three-eighths can be used in the same ways as other funds the Zoo earns. The Zoo uses this money for projects such as creating and updating exhibits and helping the Zoo push for the entire facility to meet AZA standards.255 Many of these improvements are small and go unnoticed by the public, but the quality of animal care through veterinary services and exhibit upgrades is quickly advancing to meet those

251 "The Great Recession," The State of Working America, accessed November 6, 2015, http://stateofworkingamerica.org/great-recession/. 2522004 Annual Report, (Little Rock: Zoo Board of Governors, 2004). 253 Cazort, interview. 254 Tugman, Lindsey, "Sales tax initiative passes in Little Rock," THV11, last modified September 13, 2011, http://littlerock.thv11.com/news/news/73408-sales-tax-initiative-passes-little-rock. 255 Cazort, interview.

standards.256 Although not all citizens were supportive of the One Cent Tax, it easily passed and many citizens were pleased. One such citizen expressed her desire for the city to be a better place for her children, and she believed that the tax promoted a safe environment by supporting city functions, and offering places for her children to go, such as LRZ.257

However, not all of the public is supportive of the Zoo. In January of 2014, an animal rights group called In Defense of Animals was especially harsh in its criticism of

LRZ. It claimed that the Zoo’s high death rate of elephants proved that the animals were in danger.258 Susan Altrui, the spokesperson for LRZ at the time, explained to the public that the Zoo specializes in the geriatric care of elephants, and that the recently deceased elephants were all elderly animals that had actually surpassed the average age of captive elephants.259 Another factor that plays into the death rate is that many of the animals are bought in groups, age together, and often pass from old age at approximately the same time.260 One of the most recent examples was the death of Ellen the elephant in 2011.

Ellen had come to the zoo at the age of three, and spent fifty-seven years there before her death, while the average lifespan of an elephant in the wild is only forty-two. In the zoo field, LRZ is actually well known for its care of elderly animals, though not all citizens, including those involved with In Defense of Animals, are aware of their efforts.261 Many

256 Ibid. 257"Little Rock: One Cent Tax Passes." KATV. Last modified September 19, 2011. http://www.littlerock.org/!userfiles/editor/docs/September%2013,%202011%20-%20Little%20Rock%20 One%20Cent%20Tax%20Passes.pdf 258 "2013 Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants." In Defense of Animals. Accessed September 15, 2015. http://www.idausa.org/campaigns/wild-free2/elephant-protection/hall-of-shame/2013-ten-worst-zoos-for- elephants/. 259 Macy Jenkins, "LR Zoo elephant tested positive for tuberculosis after death," THV11. 260 Sydney Tanner, interviewed by Jason Littleton, The Little Rock Zoo History Project, October 04, 2015, transcript and audio recording is available, UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture. 261 Burns Howard, interview.

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zoos are hesitant to take animals that cannot be part of a breeding program and need high- cost care, but LRZ willingly cares for geriatric animals.262

In the past decade, many animals’ deaths occurred due to health issues, including the West Nile Virus. If the USDA or AZA had found fault with its animal care, LRZ would have been in danger of losing their USDA license and AZA accreditation. The

USDA sent inspectors to investigate the Zoo in 2004 as part of an annual checkup; however, the Zoo was given a clean bill of health, finding no fault with the zoo or its staff.263 Known as a retirement center for many animals, LRZ prides itself on taking aging animals that other zoos will not. Project Coordinator Jj Muehlhausen states that people “have dubbed us silently the retirement zoo”.264 She believes that over all this is a positive influence for the Zoo. It shows the trust people have and the excellent care the

Zoo has for its animals. People feel safe when they retire their animal to the care of the staff at LRZ.

Plans for Conservation and Education

LRZ’s mission is to provide engaging experiences that inspire people to value and conserve our natural world.265 The Zoo also provides a cultural experience with nature and broadens the horizons of visitors.266 With education as its primary objective, LRZ uses over 700 animals as important ambassadors for educating the public. Its mission, as described by Muehlhausen, states that the Zoo has always striven to educate and create

262Jessica Scott-Wolfe, interviewed by Jessica Erwin, The Little Rock Zoo History Project, September 27, 2015, transcript and audio recording is available, UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture. 263 “USDA gives Zoo Clean Bill of Health,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, (Little Rock, AR), January 16. 2004. 264 Muehlhausen, Jj, interviewed by Joshua Fischer, The Little Rock Zoo History Project, September 28, 2015, transcript and audio recording is available, UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture. Mike Blakely, "Director's Statement," Little Rock Zoo, accessed September 5, 2015, http.://www.littlerock.com/Director's Statement. 266 Beth Gladden Coulson, interviewed by Shelby Linck, September 29, 2015, The Little Rock Zoo History Project, transcript and audio recording is available, UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture.

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sustainable options for people.267 LRZ aspires to create an atmosphere that brings wonder and awe through its animals. The Zoo is hopeful that this type of atmosphere will motivate guests to consider how they can help to conserve wildlife now and in the future.

Since the turn of the twenty-first century, LRZ has continued moving forward with its mission to increase public interest in conserving both animals and plants species.

The 2001 Master Plan dedicated $5 million to renovations and construction projects to improve the Zoo. The objectives of the plan were to transform the old lion house and renovate the location into a new restaurant, Cafe Africa. Secondary objectives completed were the creation of the African Savanna habitat, construction of a new main entrance, and the creation of Lorikeet Landing; an interactive exhibit showcasing lorikeets.268 The master plan brought much needed renovation throughout the Zoo, primarily to the bear moat and primate house habitats.269

The success of the Master Plan allowed LRZ to expand with the creation of new exhibits in 2011 and 2012. The first exhibit completed was the Laura P. Nichols Penguin

Pointe habitat, which features blackfoot penguins. This exhibit created a habitat that was viewed by the public both above and under the water. The dual viewing of a habitat was a one-of-kind experience that had never been seen before in Arkansas. The penguins quickly became one of the Zoo’s most popular attractions after its grand opening in

March of 2011, increasing the number of visitors by twenty percent.270 The second exhibit constructed was the Laura P. Nichols Cheetah Outpost. This was the first fully

267Muehlhausen, interview. 268 "Director's Statement.” 269 Ibid. 270 Cazort, interview.

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air-conditioned exhibit featured at LRZ. Cheetah Outpost features two large outdoor yards for the cheetahs to run around in with an observatory deck for public viewing.

The indoor space of the Cheetah Outpost allows guest to view the new naked mole rat exhibit, a reptile display, and interactive graphics with facts about cheetahs.

Under the Master Plan, LRZ

installed a new, easily accessible,

children’s Jambo Gym

playground near Cafe Africa.271

In 2013, a new revision to the

Master Plan was initiated to

create two more exhibits: a

hippo habitat and a coral reef

system. However, due to the

Little girl watches penguins in the underwater viewing of lack of funding neither of these Laura P. Nichols Blackfoot Penguin Pointe. Courtesy of the Little Rock Zoo. exhibits came to fruition. LRZ continued to push forward in an effort to maintain its mission for conservation and education. In May of 2013, under Blakely’s direction, the Master Plan was once again revised, developing a new conservation plan based around habitats showcasing environments dependent upon water.

Water conservation officially developed as a new direction for the Zoo after it was released in the Real, Live, Entertainment pamphlet on May 1, 2013. In it, was the

271 “Zoo Opens New Jambo Gym Playground this Saturday,” City of Little Rock, March 18, 2013, http://www.littlerock.org/citymanager/divisions/publicrelations/MediaReleases.aspx?ID=721.

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statement “water is crucial to all life and present in all ecosystems.”272 This new Master

Plan primarily focuses on the conservation of water in animal habitats, which is diminishing every year. The Zoo’s mission is to educate the public by making them aware of the way animals and humans have adapted to diverse environments where water plays a precious role, and how people can contribute to the preservation of both the freshwater supply around the world and the habitats that depend on it.273 LRZ made plans to develop and renovate several of its key habitats based on this new focus. Plans are currently underway to renovate animal exhibits throughout the Zoo with a tribute to water.

Overall, ten different spaces are being looked at for these new renovations, beginning with the front entrance. This new area, called the Riverwalk, is where guest can see animals living near a river as their natural environment.

LRZ plans to create a new education plaza guided by the Education Department.

The plaza will have programs geared towards conservation, art themed exhibits, and activities for children. Habitats being considered under this Master Plan comprised of what will be The River, a representation of the Amazon River environment, and the

Flooded Savannah exhibit, created to show an ecosystem that does not provide enough rain to support a rain forest, but enough to keep it from becoming a desert.274 Former

Arkansas Zoological Foundation board member Beth Coulson expresses that the Zoo

“…always provided a cultural experience with nature … to broaden the horizons of people.” 275

272 2013 Master Plan, (Little Rock, AR: Little Rock Zoo, May 1, 2013), 1. 273 Ibid., 3. 274 Ibid, 11. 275 Coulson, interview.

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The Malayan tiger exhibit is to be refurbished as a Montane Rainforest themed exhibit, to show off the subspecies of tiger that is threatened by human-wildlife conflict.276 Another exhibit being considered is a Rainforest habitat, which will house both plants and animal species of this unique ecosystem. Development to construct an

Digital plan for Arkansas Heritage Farm, opening Spring 2016. Courtesy of the Little Rock Zoo. aquarium representing the world's largest ecosystem, the ocean, is being viewed as a possible new feature for the Zoo as well.277 Currently being built is the Arkansas Heritage

Farm, an exhibit that LRZ renovated from the old Children's Farm area.278

The Arkansas Heritage Farm is scheduled to open in Spring 2016. It will be an interactive exhibit with sheep, goats, and other Arkansas native farm animals.279 The exhibit will allow the public to touch and feed the animals housed in a large walk-through barn. A smaller barn adjacent to the new structure will feature a hand-washing station and a new chicken coop that has chickens of various breeds, including rare heritage breeds. 280

276 2013 Master Plan, 12. 277 Ibid., 21. 278 Susan Altrui, interviewed by Ashley Darnell, September 30, 2015, The Little Rock Zoo History Project, transcript and audio recording is available, UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture. 279 Ibid. 280 “Zoo Breaks Ground on New Arkansas Heritage Farm,” www.THV11.com, last modified April 23, 2015.

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Prairie dog tunnels will be featured including an up-close domed viewing station.281 The

Arkansas Heritage Farm will have educational and interactive graphics to bring the message of how important agriculture is to the state of Arkansas, and to show the rich history of Arkansas agriculture. 282

Working with the City of Little Rock

At the beginning of the 2000s, the Zoo progressed to a more stable financial position. The Zoo Board of Governors worked to get the Zoo back into the public’s focus, increase attendance to generate revenue, and improve the Zoo. Since these administrative changes, LRZ has increased control of its programs, and has reduced tension with the city, with less competition for funds. It has improved the public's view of the Zoo because of the knowledge that what money the public put into the Zoo, stays at the Zoo, rather than going into the city budget. The previous budget, which did not allow the Zoo to keep any of the funds raised that exceeded $700,000 each year, was a deterrent to public involvement. By becoming its own department, the Zoo became more financially stable than ever before.

Unfortunately, there was still a funding complication after separation from the

Parks and Recreation Department, as the Friends of the Zoo did not dispense the revenue it was earning with the Zoo. Friends of the Zoo controlled the gift shop and memberships, which together represented the majority of the revenue gathered by the Zoo.283 The revenue gained from these functions and from grants was not going toward improving exhibits, animal care, or many of the other dire needs of the time, but instead was staying

281 Mike Blakely (zoo director), in discussion with Nicolette Talley, November 2015. 282 “Zoo Breaks Ground on New Arkansas Heritage Farm.” 283 Cazort, interview.

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within Friends of the Zoo. Disagreements about when and how the money should be spent nearly led to a lawsuit between Friends of the Zoo and LRZ. This situation ended with a majority of the grant money, raised by Friends of the Zoo, returned.284 Friends of the Zoo officially dissolved after a twenty-six year partnership with LRZ. Many people involved, including staff, have claimed that Friends of the Zoo believed it was trying to help the Zoo, but in the end the two organizations wanted to go in different directions.285

After Friends of the Zoo dissolved, the city recognized the need for a new fundraising foundation for the Zoo, and began designing one with the help of Coleman

Westbrook from the firm Friday Eldredge & Clark in Little Rock.286 Volunteering his time, Westbrook and the City Attorney prepared drafts of Articles of Incorporation and

Bylaws.287 With the decision that the foundation members not be chosen by the Zoo

Board of Governors, those documents were turned over to Little Rock citizens who had shown an interest in the Zoo. In 2003, the Arkansas Zoological Foundation (AZF) was created with its first three members, and is under strict guidance by the Zoo Board of

Governors.

The members of AZF work as a fundraising arm for LRZ and are an important source of support for the Zoo by creating and sustaining many fundraising events that assist the Zoo in reaching its goals. Accomplishments of AZF include Boo at the Zoo,

Zoo Year’s Eve, Wild Wines, grants from the Arkansas Department of Parks and

Tourism, and inspiring over 350 individual donors. Since forming, AZF has received and

284 C.S. Murphy, "Zoo out more than $800,000 after Group Decides to Return Grants," Arkansas Democrat Gazette (Little Rock, AR), accessed November 5, 2015. 285Mallory, interview. 286 Annual Report 2002. 287Ibid.

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used millions of dollars for the benefit of the Zoo and Little Rock.288 One of AZF’s major fundraising project was for the purchase of the Arkansas Diamond Express, which debuted at LRZ on June 7, 2014.289

Increased funding meant that the Zoo had the chance to focus more on conservation and education. The city began recognizing LRZ as an essential part of maintaining and improving the quality of life and economy of Little Rock, primarily by increasing tourism.290 Mayor Jim Dailey was focused on revitalizing Little Rock at the turn of the twenty- first century and implemented the plan Vision Little Rock.291 This plan was implemented in 2002 to create a “safe, clean, and healthy environment,” while improving education and the Little Rock parks, which included LRZ. Listed in the goals for the city, LRZ is named as an asset that assisted with reaching the goals listed in the

Zoo’s Master Plans. Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola, elected in 2006, has expanded upon the plan and continues to be an advocate for public safety and parks improvement.

Director Blakely works with an Assistant Director of the Zoo, the Facilities

Operations Manager, the General Curator, and the Veterinarian. These four departments report to Director Blakely.292 Assistant Director Susan Altrui’s position was created in

June of 2015 specifically for creating and improving the master plan.293 The Assistant

Director position oversees Zoo Development and Marketing, Visitor Services, and

288Annual Report 2008, (Little Rock: Little Rock Zoo Board of Governors, 2008). 289 “New Train Hitting the Track This Weekend at Little Rock Zoo,” KARK, last modified June 6, 2014, http://www.arkansasmatters.com/news/entertainment/new-train-hitting-the-track-this-weekend-at-littlerock-zoo 290Vision: Little Rock. Little Rock: City of Little Rock, 2002. 291 Ibid. 292Zoo Structure Packet, Little Rock: Little Rock Zoo. June 8, 2015 293Nate Olson, "A Zoo of a Workplace," Sync Weekly (Little Rock, AR), accessed on September 5, 2015, http://www.syncweekly.com/news/2015/jun/16/zoo-workplace/.

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Education.294 The number of people employed at the Zoo has risen dramatically over the decades, from just W.M. Gray in the 1920s. Employment can vary seasonally,295 but during its busiest months, such as October, up to sixty-five people can be employed, forty-five of which are full-time.296 These people work diligently to keep the Zoo running smoothly, and there is a low turnover rate for employees.297 Responsibilities include animal keeping, education, guest services, marketing and development, and maintenance throughout the Zoo. Rarely are all of these positions filled since LRZ is a department of the City of Little Rock, and subject to hiring freezes.298 However, in the past ten years, there have been approximately fifteen full-time positions added to help the Zoo achieve the massive improvements it has made.299

Zoo Improvements

Since 1985, AZA accreditation has played a central role in LRZ’s operation.

Following the loss of AZA accreditation in the late 1990s, LRZ made suggested improvements, and in 2001, regained accreditation. The following review in 2006 went smoothly, but in 2011, LRZ’s accreditation was tabled while the Zoo sought to prove financial stability. Following passage of a City of Little Rock One Cent Tax to contribute substantial funding to LRZ, and new staff hiring, accreditation was once again approved in September 2012. AZA requirements are updated regularly, and LRZ strives to stay in compliance with these regulations.

294 Zoo Structure Packet. 295 Blakely, interview. 296 Muehlhausen, interview. 297 Cazort, interview. 298 Blakely, interview. 299 Altrui, interview.

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A principal goal of AZA institutions is to provide the highest standard of care for their animals. AZA performance standards measure where an institution fits in accordance to accepted standards. An institution’s accreditation by the AZA is reviewed every five years.300 Application and review for accreditation includes a paper application and an on-site inspection by AZA trained inspectors. Inspectors review all aspects of operation. Review for accreditation takes roughly three days.301

Continuous work is done to maintain AZA standards, as LRZ seeks to avoid a last minute rush immediately prior to review.302 Emergency drills are also performed for

AZA inspections.303 Concerns of AZA inspections are presented in a document. The response report by LRZ addresses each concern and describes corrections made to these issues. In situations of exhibit shortcomings, such as when poor lighting in the small carnivore exhibits was reported, photos of repairs may be provided.304

Today, the AZA standards play an integral role in the daily function of LRZ.

From animal care manuals to educational plans, the AZA provides many valuable guidelines and resources for zoos. Still, the AZA regulations allow some flexibility and

LRZ has its own operations manual and emergency plan. Recent subjects of review by the AZA include the issue of zoo staff working in elephant enclosures. In September

2015, AZA guidelines restricted trainers to working outside of the elephant’s pen. To

300 Blakely, interview. 301 Baeyens, interview. 302 Annual Report 2002, 8. 303 One such drill was performed on August 4, 2011, A Report to the American Zoo and Aquarium Association from the Little Rock Zoological Gardens regarding accreditation issues noted at the 2011 Annual Meeting, July 26, 2012, Tab 12, Attachment 33. 304 Ibid., Tab 1, 7.

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accommodate this new regulation, LRZ installed a new gate and bollards with a budget of

$90,000.305

While AZA standards are high, sometimes they are still not strict enough to protect animals and visitors from accidents. A case in 2014, where a three-year old child fell fifteen feet into a jaguar enclosure, prompted review of LRZ’s Big Cats exhibit and emergency response strategies. Both proved up to standards, however, LRZ chose to add additional signs to warn the public about getting too close to safety barriers, and listing a phone number to directly contact Zoo staff.306 In addition LRZ plans to install mesh barriers that exceed current standards.307

Each year, LRZ budgets for building projects and renovations.

Expenditures are required to maintain accreditation with the AZA, while others are designed to draw more visitors. Although Zoo staff and visitors regularly express interest in a variety of projects, only a few are feasible each year. Plans are proposed, funds reviewed, and then these projects are either approved or denied. Under the Little Rock

City Board of Directors and City Manager, the Zoo Board of Governors has authority over Zoo operations and improvements. The Board of Governors approves the use of all city funds received by LRZ.308

Sufficient finances and board approval are not the only considerations that determine what projects will be built. Regulations must be considered. The AZA

305 Joseph Price, “Little Rock Zoo Limits Interaction Between Elephants, Keepers,” Syncweekly (Little Rock, AR), accessed on September 22, 2015, http://www.syncweekly.com/news/2015/sep/22/little-rock- zoo-limits-interaction-between-elephant/. 306 “Jaguar Exhibit Reopens at Little Rock Zoo,” THV11, November 25, 2014. http://www.thv11.com/story/news/local/2014/11/25/zoo-exhibit-back-open-to-the-public-after- fall/70112464/. 307 Mike Blakely (zoo director) in discussion with Jessica Erwin, November 2015. 308 “Zoo Board of Governors,” Littlerock.org, accessed October 31, 2015, http://www.littlerock.org/CityCommissions/?ID=31.

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standards not only determine how large a habitat must be, but also requires complex and expensive water pools, filtration systems,309 and barriers for keepers and visitors.

Additionally, the Zoo also requires occasional emergency repairs.310

Zoo facility operations include many aspects. Animal care requires proper housing, meal planning, exhibit maintenance, veterinarian care facilities, and veterinarian equipment. Guest services include food vendors, Cafe Africa, the Safari Trader Gift Shop, restrooms, signage, playground equipment, and rides like the Over-the-Jumps carousel and Diamond Express train. All of these combined work together to create a fun and operable zoo.

The Zoo’s facilities reflect much of its history. The Zoo’s WPA buildings have not been demolished as some other zoos in the country, and instead efforts have been made to preserve and repurpose them. Over the years, the Zoo exhibits have gone from sterile to more naturalistic. The layout and landscaping have also changed. Bamboo has grown in areas, creating a visual barrier and reducing noise.311 LRZ strives to be earth friendly, and participates in many recycling and composting initiatives. Each day the Zoo composts over forty-eight cubic feet of animal droppings. LRZ practices Xeriscaping, or using drought-tolerant plants to reduce the need for irrigation. 312 These efforts help spread the Zoo’s goals of conservation.

In 2011, LRZ received 3.8 acres of land from the City of Little Rock. Though efforts to receive larger sections of land have been attempted over the years, this is the first addition in some time. This additional acreage, on the east side of the Zoo, is now

309 Greene, interview. 310 Tolefree, interview. 311 Greene, interview. 312 Composting: Learn How Elephant Poo Helps the Zoo, (Little Rock: Little Rock Zoo Facilities Operations, April 4, 2011).

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fenced to delineate the Zoo’s ownership of the property.313 This land remains undeveloped for the time being. It makes the total area of the Zoo roughly thirty-nine acres.314

Animal Exhibits

LRZ is constantly adding and altering exhibits. Most construction is planned for winter months when visitor attendance is lower. Exhibit planning can be very intensive.

Timelines are created and many details must be decided before construction can begin.

Special restrictions, outlined by the Zoo Contractor Guidelines, apply to construction and landscaping work within the Zoo. The most notable exhibits in the 2000s have been the

Laura P. Nichols Penguin Pointe and the Laura P. Nichols Cheetah Outpost. The Penguin

Pointe exhibit increased Zoo attendance by twenty percent in its opening year.315

Extreme weather has long impacted operations at LRZ. In August 2015, a heat wave caused staff to provide air-conditioned areas for many animals, along with ice treats, and water mists. Some animals also changed their sleep and den schedule to avoid the heat. One of the things the Zoo has considered adding includes heated or cooled rocks in enclosures, to encourage animals to come outside in less than moderate weather.316

Building projects for staff operations receive less press attention than exhibit work. Recent projects include the installation of elephant bollards317 to prevent direct contact between staff and elephants, and the consideration of spending nearly $85,000 on

313 Cazort, interview. 314 Muehlhausen, interview. “Zoo looks back at ’02 plan to find a way forward,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock, AR), June 28, 2011. 315 Altrui, interview. 316 “Zoo looks back at ’02 plan to find a way forward.” 317 Facilities Operations Report 2009, (Little Rock: Little Rock Zoo, 2009), 5.

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a new X-ray machine.318Landscaping at LRZ also receives less attention than animal projects. LRZ uses a combination of native, tropical, and drought-tolerant plants in the landscape. Through Xeriscaping, the Zoo’s Horticulture Department helps support LRZ’s conservation goal.319

Zoo officials have many new project interests. In April 2014, not for the first time, plans to add an aquarium to LRZ were announced. However, plans were again changed, as public interest and funding do not support all possible projects. Zoo publications have expressed an interest in adding an underwater viewing otter exhibit in the future.

Creating a Brighter Future

In the early 2000s, LRZ faced several difficulties that hindered its progress toward becoming the zoo that it is today. Finding funds to keep the Zoo running is a contentious and never-ending process. The Junior League of Little Rock is one such partner that LRZ approached in 2001 about helping the Zoo to create large painted fiberglass animals as those seen in the Chicago CowParade Project.320 The Junior League of Little Rock readily agreed and instituted it as its eightieth anniversary gift to the community. The project, named Pigs on Safari, began in 2002, and the Junior League of

Little Rock commissioned eighty pig statues to be painted by various artists to be auctioned off to raise money for the Zoo. On June 12, 2003, LRZ proudly held a dinner and auction, which made a net profit of $30,000.

318 Drew Petrimoulx, “LR Zoo Pulls Trainers Out of Elephant Exhibit,” accessed on September 8, 2015, Arkansasmatter.com, http://www.arkansasmatters.com/news/local-news/lr-zoo-pulls-trainers-out-of- elephant-exhibit. 319 Facilities Operations Report 2009, 6. 320 Annual Report 2001, (Little Rock: Little Rock Zoo, 2001).

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The future of the Zoo is brighter following the new partnership with the Junior

League, and LRZ gained several new additions to its animal population. In May of 2004, working with AZA, the Zoo received two female western lowland gorillas named Sekai and Catherine from the Toronto Zoo. On September 9, 2004 the Zoo gained a new baby anteater and ocelot in the small predator’s exhibit.321 In April 2004, LRZ held a successful fundraiser sponsored by Kroger who donated $5,000 from a special promotion selling Kool-Aid Jammers, in which the proceeds helped to build the new African

Savanna exhibit. Cashing in on public interest of Boo at the Zoo, LRZ held an event for the Cheetah Conservation Fund known as Cheetah Car on October 27, 2005. During Boo at the Zoo, LRZ displayed a one-of-a-kind red Audi TT Coupe accented with cheetah spots. The cheetah car was on display in front of the Zoo entrance, along with information about the Cheetah Conservation Fund. For a donation of $100 to Cheetah

Conservation Fund, visitors had a chance to enter the Drive to

Survive Sweepstakes to win the Audi

Cheetah Car.

Growth came to the Zoo with several successful fundraisers

A corporate outing at the Little Rock Zoo. Courtesy of the Little Rock that sparked new levels Zoo.

321 “Gorilla Girls Make Debut at LR Zoo,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock, AR), May 22, 2004.

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of public interest. Renewed interest helped the Zoo recover after the backlash of losing its accreditation in 1998. With the decline in public opinion in early 2000s, LRZ had to work hard to improve. In 2006, LRZ found a new area of growth and development. LRZ played host to a Black and White Ball that was held for the new Penguin exhibit project.

The Ball was considered a great hit in the community, with a total of 350 people participants. This event generated $24,000 for the new habitat.

Public interest in the community started to increase during this time. A major component accredited to the Zoo’s success over the decades has been its breeding program, which bore fruit when one of the AZA’s female lowland gorilla gave birth to the Zoo’s first male baby gorilla in 2006. The gorilla habitat was not the only place in the

Zoo animal population to receive new additions. Through the AZA, the Zoo received two new coatimundis, a species belonging to the raccoon family. Additional growth came when the Laura P. Nichols Foundation partnered with the Zoo to help create both the

Blackfoot Penguin and Cheetah Outpost Exhibits. Not only did the Laura P. Nichols

Foundation work with the Zoo on the two new exhibits in March of 2010, they donated

$150,000 for a two-year education program. This program, named Wild Wonders Animal

Show, allowed the Zoo to hire two people on the weekends to do educational animal shows for visitors.

LRZ cannot afford to pay for all of its expenses, however, and staffing is always short. One way they use to combat this is the docent program. Volunteers can join the docent program and are trained to teach classes and be tour guides. The Zoo relies heavily on these volunteers, especially for large events, such as Boo at the Zoo. In order for that one event to succeed, 1,000 docents and temporary volunteers are used to help

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decorate, assist with games, and other needs.322 Lynn Finch, a well-known docent, spent many years with the Zoo before she passed away in October of 2011. Finch left the Zoo

$223,632.63 in her will and the Zoo has promised to always have an animal named for her. Even with the loss of a dedicated volunteer, the 2011 calendar year brought growth for the Zoo with the acquisition of two new elephants, named Jewell and Zina. Working with the Ringling Brothers Center for Elephants Conservation, LRZ acquired them as companions for the elderly Ellen the elephant who had been at the Zoo since 1954. In

2012, the first births in the Laura P. Nichols Blackfoot Penguin Exhibit were successful, which generated a large amount of public interest.

On August 19, 2012 LRZ received another male lowland gorilla baby,

Adelina, who was the second successful gorilla born in the Zoo’s

323 history. The tiger Suhana pictured with her two cubs, born in November of 2013. Courtesy of the Little Rock Zoo. population increased on

November 12, 2013 when four healthy Malayan tigers were born, marking a success for both LRZ and the AZA breeding program.324

322 Altrui, interview. 323 “Baby Gorilla is Showered with Gifts at Little Rock Zoo.” Zoo Borns, last modified November 04, 2012. http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2012/11/baby-gorilla-is-showered-with-gifts-at-little-rock- zoo.html. 324 “Ah-Choo! Tiger Cubs Arrive at Little Rock Zoo.” Zoo Borns, last modified December 15, 2013, http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2013/12/ah-choo-tiger-cubs-arrive-at-little-rock-zoo.html.

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Since regaining its accreditation in 2001, LRZ has been committed to the conservation of endangered and threatened animals. As an accredited member of the

AZA, the Zoo has been responsible for providing financial assistance to organizations around the world and is currently active in wildlife preservation. Working with the AZA on conservation, LRZ uses its funds to actively provide donations to over twenty different conservation programs. Several of these programs, including the Bornean orangutan

Survival Foundation, focus on saving endangered animals and their habitat. LRZ helps sponsor the Bushmeat Crisis Task Force, an organization dedicated to working with scientists to find ways to preserve wildlife threatened with extinction due to overhunting.

LRZ, through its conservation programs makes contracts with Conservation Breeding

Specialist Groups and other international conservation organizations to assist in conservation of threatened animals and plant species around the world.325 The Zoo can do none of this without the growth it has experienced over the last decade.

In the 1990s, LRZ began shifting towards educating the public. LRZ uses this excellent tool to help with its mission in conservation of endangered or threatened animal species. By the 2000s, education was fully integrated into the Zoo’s mission. As a source of income and as a means to gain public interest, the education programs offer a way for the Zoo to reach out to the community. In 2012, the AZA partnered with five zoos in the

United States in a program called Poetry at the Zoo; these included the Milwaukee Zoo,

Little Rock Zoo, Chicago Brookfield Zoo, Jacksonville Zoo, and New Orleans Zoo. In charge of this program were Jj Muehlhausen and Dilbert Dawson. They went to New

Orleans to participate in a symposium to work with poet and author Joseph Bruchac. For

325 “Conservation,” Little Rock Zoo, last modified May 15, 2015, http://www.littlerockzoo.com/ conservation.

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this program, LRZ partnered with the Central Arkansas Library System to design and plan these messages of nature and conservation.326 According to Muehlhausen, a study was conducted to see how well guest of the five zoos received the conservation message in the poetry laid out in the individual zoos. What was revealed through the survey was that out of all five zoos, LRZ, which was the smallest of the group, had shown the most success with visitors retaining the message of conservation.

In striving to increase relations with the public in 2013, LRZ created one of its most successful annual events known as Cheetah Chase. Cheetah Chase is a 5K Family

Fun Run is a summer event started on June 1, 2013. Contestants follow a 5K course that starts at the Zoo. From the Zoo, participants race through War Memorial Park, moving to the neighboring Hillcrest area before circling back to the Zoo.327 Those who have participated in past years have been given a Penguin Pointe bag, race t-shirt, and free Zoo admission on the day of the race. Known for its large turnout, Cheetah Chase has been held every June since 2013, and the Zoo plans on continuing this event.

Long before the 2000s, the Zoo has geared its programs toward educating the public. Offering classes and programs about animals, conservation, and environmental care, many programs are offered on the Zoo website for public viewing and if in person attendance is required, there is a calendar with the dates of the activities. LRZ offers a class known as Zoo Ventures for teachers who want to reward their students, and is managed by the Zoo Education Department. The Zoo Ventures program invites the public to connect to nature by providing hands-on activities, talking to experts, and close animal encounters. Schools and individuals who are interested can choose a program

326 Muehlhausen, interview. 327 “Zoo to School,” Little Rock Zoo, last modified May 15, 2015, http://www.littlerockzoo.com/ zootoschool.

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known as Wildlife Adventure, where teachers can have their students attend a thirty- minute informal class where they can meet three to four different animals who live at the

Zoo as educational ambassadors. The annual spring event for schools to participate in is known affectionately by the Zoo staff as Yellow Fever. Every spring, Zoo employees prepare for a flood of school yellow buses where students enjoy a day field trip at the

Zoo.328

In 2015, LRZ offered workshops to the public by providing classes designed to give students a deeper look into six of the most popular areas of the Zoo. LRZ offers a program known as Career Day where zookeepers and veterinarians329go to talk to children who are interested in going into those respective fields. Families can gather for a bird watching program that allows them to get involved with the hobby known as birding.330 These educational programs and classes that are offered by LRZ are important to both public relations and helping bring in annual educational revenue that the Zoo uses to further their mission of conservation.

Setting its goals for the future, LRZ recently applied for a 2015 outdoor recreation grant for $197,500 from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. LRZ also applied for a $125,000 grant for the Arkansas Heritage Farm Exhibit currently under construction. These grants, if received, will help the Zoo keep its doors open and reach its goals of becoming a zoo that is part of the pride of the State of Arkansas. Reaching for this goal, LRZ is working on several projects to allow it to be more accessible to the public. Compensating for the ever-increasing use of technology, LRZ is working with the

328Muehlhausen, interview. 329 “Workshops for kids and Families,” Little Rock Zoo, last modified May 15, 2015, http://www.littlerockzoo.com/workshops-for-kids-and-families. 330 Ibid.

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Arkansas Children’s Hospital to create a future program to allow children staying in intensive care units to view animal in their habitats.331 Hopefully, with technology and funding in the near future, children in intensive care units will be able to view animals in their habitats through their televisions. Working towards making this possible in 2015 are

LRZ Education Department and Robinson High School. LRZ has partnered with a group of gifted students known as the East Group, and has been given the task of creating an online virtual tour compatible with LRZ website. Once it is finished, guests will be able to take virtual online tours of some animal habitats featured at the Zoo.332

LRZ is an organization that is always changing and progressing. It has faced both hardship and growth through the decades, and has endured the test of time in an ever- changing environment that has helped to shape its past and present. Yet, LRZ still works to achieve its goals to be a zoo that is known for excellent care of its animals while educating the public about conservation issues. LRZ has experienced several achievements in the last few years. In 2014, the tiger exchange program of two female tiger birthed four new tiger cubs marking a success to LRZ breeding program,333 followed by two maned wolf pups on January 30, 2015. LRZ uses these births to build a strong relationship to the community of Little Rock, such as in July 2015, when LRZ announced the birth of a new chimpanzee. Using social media, LRZ allowed the public, through an online poll, to name the newborn chimp. Out of a list of three names the public voted giving the new chimp the name Kendi.334 LRZ will no doubt face hardship

331Muehlhausen, interview. 332Muehlhausen, interview. 333 “Ah-Choo! Tiger Cubs Arrive at Little Rock Zoo.” 334 “Baby Chimp Born at LR Zoo; Public to Vote on Name,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock, AR). July 27, 2015. http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2015/jul/27/baby-chimp-born-lr-zoo-public- vote-name/?latest.

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in the near future, yet even with the challenges coming its way, it will strive to overcome such hurdles, as it keeps looking onward toward the future.

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Conclusion

The Little Rock Zoo (LRZ) started in the 1920s with the dream of bringing entertainment to the citizens of Little Rock by showcasing exotic animals from around the world. From the Zoo’s humble beginning as an addition to the expansive Fair Park, to the nationally recognized organization it is today, the Little Rock Zoo has an impressive and dynamic history. Expanding on the original dream was not easy, but through perseverance, dedicated staff, memorable animals, and loyal patrons, the Little Rock Zoo has survived to become an accredited, successful organization that educates and entertains patrons from all walks of life.

Success did not come easy to the Little Rock Zoo. From the Zoo’s creation in

1926, through the Great Depression and World War II, the Zoo struggled to gain a foothold in the city of Little Rock. As Sydney Tanner said, “We were under Parks and

Recreation and our view of it was always that we were just a little bit lower than the golf courses….” Turmoil and strife accompany any large museum, and the Little Rock Zoo almost immediately felt the burden of administrative responsibilities and budget constraints. The Zoo lost accreditation in the 1990s, and struggled with funding and staff problems. The relationship between the Little Rock Zoo and the City of Little Rock was tumultuous at times, but after the separation from the Department of Parks and

Recreation, the Little Rock Zoo was able to move forward and make its own decisions.

These decisions included hiring, budget allocations, and exhibit considerations.

Without the autonomy to make these major decisions, the Little Rock Zoo may have found it challenging to survive long term. After the dissolution of the Friends of the Zoo in 2002, and the creation of the Arkansas Zoological Foundation (AZF) in 2003, the

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Little Rock Zoo was able to gain re-accreditation, and continue to pursue the goals they had set forth with a new 2013 Master Plan. This Master Plan includes an intensive goal of educating the community about animal conservation and implementing new conservation efforts at the Zoo.

In addition, the Little Rock Zoo created a new mission statement to help encourage patrons to visit. This is reflected in the Director’s Statement335: “The mission of the Little Rock Zoo is to provide engaging experiences that inspire people to value and conserve our natural world.” The move from being a facility primarily concerned with entertainment to one with educational concerns was minor at first, but with implementation of the Species Survival Plan (SSP) and the first successful bid for accreditation in the 1980s, the union was complete. Entertainment and education worked hand in hand to create programs and exhibits at the Zoo, including Boo at the Zoo and

Walk on the Wild side. With the new Master Plan, Zoo staff and administration will begin to increase public education about the ways that animals and humans have evolved and adapted in areas around the world where water plays a vital role. New habitats will be created to reflect this theme.

Museums around the world rely upon its patrons for suggestions, money, and loyalty. The Little Rock Zoo has a large; local following that donates their time as volunteers, and their money for support. Many members of the Zoo continued to give, even when the Zoo lost accreditation from the American Zoological Parks and

Aquariums Association (AZA). Locals remember the elephants Ellen and Ruth, and many patrons continue to hold a membership. Even with budget and staff concerns, the

335 “Director’s Statement.”

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Little Rock Zoo has always been able to persevere with the help of patrons. As member

Suzann Barr stated, “What they do here, they do really well. It’s quality.”336 Success continues to follow the Little Rock Zoo today, with new popular programs such as Zoo

Brew, Wild Wines, Boo Adult Nights, and Animal Feedings. Events such as the Cheetah

Chase 5K and Family Fun Run 1K help the Zoo reach audiences of all ages around Little

Rock, and special educational programs like Wildlife Adventures and Breakfast with the

Cheetahs integrate education with entertainment in an exciting way. New exhibits will accompany these programs, such as the Arkansas Heritage Farm, in which patrons will learn about the expansion of commercial development and the economic impact this holds on Arkansas agriculture.

In the beginning, the Little Rock Zoo may have started with limited goals and aspirations, but with the strength and determination of the staff and locals, the Zoo has blossomed into a nationally recognized and successful zoo. The Little Rock Zoo continues to move forward in conservation, education, and entertainment with successful program such as Boo at the Zoo and Zoo Brew. The Little Rock Zoo pushed its way from its modest beginnings in the basement of City Hall to become the only AZA accredited zoo in Arkansas. The future of the Little Rock Zoo holds great potential, and with the loyalty of the staff, volunteers, and patrons, the Zoo will continue to make its dreams a reality for many decades to come.

336 Barr, interview.

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Literature Review

History for the Future, Inc. (HFI) conducted a review of literature that relates to the project titled Thriving in the Wild: The Evolution of the Little Rock Zoo. These sources expand beyond the literature stored at the Little Rock Zoo (LRZ), and include documents stored at Little Rock City Hall, and records of the Department of Parks and

Recreation stored at the Arkansas Studies Institute. Secondary sources included vital information pertaining not only to the history of the LRZ, but the accrediting body of the

Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). The Zoo supplied scrapbooks featured numerous newspaper articles. HFI was able to use these scrapbooks as sources to cross check annual reports, Little Rock city council minutes, and oral histories, by comparing them to newspaper articles. The sources used to interpret the historical and cultural impact of the Little Rock Zoo created a framework that expands outside the individual history of the Zoo. Digital sources, such as the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, help to expand the scope of the project beyond printed literature. Oral histories and accompanying photographs were also used to emphasize the points made in the text and appendices.

Records from Little Rock City Hall were used as a primary source. These city records hold the city council minutes and ordinances recorded by the City Clerk, and include vital sources of information about the importance of the LRZ as an entity in Fair

Park, as well as descriptions of budget considerations. LRZ, like most museums throughout the nation, is always adjusting its budget in order to fit its overall mission and master plan. As a division of Parks and Recreation in the City of Little Rock, LRZ was not able to make many of its own financial decisions. After the split from the Parks and

Recreation, LRZ was able to secure their own funding, and make staff and budget

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decisions with oversight from its new Board of Governors. The city records highlight this important shift. These city records are vital to the collected history of LRZ. The City of

Little Rock published the minutes to their meetings in the newspaper before they were made available online. The Clerk’s records can be viewed at http://web.littlerock.state.ar.us/weblink/Welcome.aspx?cr=1.

Local newspapers, such as the Arkansas Democrat, the Arkansas Gazette, and later the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette are used throughout the text, especially to emphasize major direction changes by the Zoo. One major example is the charging of admission fees. Written by an unknown author in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, "Zoo admission fee brings in $3,224.50 in first weekend,” Tuesday, August 4, 1981, this source helped confirm the change from free admission, to a nominal charge. The LRZ struggled with this decision, and in the end, to help alleviate budget constraints, the LRZ came to the conclusion that its visitors, members, and volunteers were so loyal that charging an admission fee would not disrupt the mission of the Zoo. These decisions were mentioned in the local newspaper, as were the minutes of City Hall meetings in the earlier part of the twentieth century. Other important articles in the newspaper highlight new exhibits and programs at the Zoo, such as this example of the opening of the Great

Ape exhibit - Mark Oswald, “Zoo to Build New Great Ape Display,” Arkansas Gazette,

July 12, 1985. The citizens of Little Rock were able to keep track of many changes at the

LRZ, including Director changes, major budget cuts, new programs and exhibits, and animal acquisitions, by reading the local papers.

Frequently used as a secondary source is the Association of Zoos & Aquariums sources, which demonstrate the evolving history of the Little Rock Zoo. As the national

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accrediting organization for Zoos and Aquariums, the AZA worked side by side with the

Little Rock Zoo to set its own standards and policies. Throughout the text, the evolution of AZA is prevalent, as it directly pertains to the success of the Little Rock Zoo. The

AZA website specifically outlines how a site can become accredited, the strategic plan for all zoos and aquariums to follow, and information on how to incorporate education into entertainment. Specifically, the Species Survival Plan (SSP) is defined and explained in the text. The handouts on the AZA webpage are informative and for public viewing, and help explain the national context of the history of LRZ. The LRZ website also showcases many secondary sources of information on its formation, master plan, and programs. Programs are vital to the survival of LRZ, because they are able to adapt educational material into an entertainment environment. As an institution that grows based on their volunteers, patrons, and members, LRZ’s history is intertwined with its many programs.

Other secondary sources are used to continue the all-encompassing goal of the

History for the Future Inc. in describing and highlighting the bigger picture. The LRZ was founded in Fair Park, so a substantial part of the researched literature was used to help explain the history of Fair Park, and the reasons behind creating a Zoo in that specific location. The history of LRZ would be incomplete without the backstory of the

Arkansas State Fair and Fair Park. The importance of connecting the history and culture of the Fair Park area to Little Rock, and in turn to the Little Rock Zoo, cannot be stressed enough.

The Encyclopedia of Arkansas, a digital website that is easily accessible for students and citizens from around the world, was used by History for the Future, Inc., to

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explain the different events that surround the operations of the Zoo. “The Works Progress

Administration,” “Big Arkie,” and “The Little Rock Zoo,” are all defined in this website, and are used as sources in the text. This well-known website was the main digital source, but a very important source because of its popularity and availability to Little Rock citizens, and its reputation as a reliable and accurate source.

The History of the Future, Inc. conducted interviews to gather oral histories from individuals associated with the Zoo. These include staff members, volunteers, donors, visitors of the zoo, and zoo members. These oral histories help create a broader understanding of the Little Rock Zoo, and its place in the history and development of

Little Rock. Placed throughout the text are quotations from these oral histories with each interviewee’s statements being used. The quoted oral histories help to develop a more detailed understanding of the history by filling in gaps in chronology, and tying in a deeper human connection to the Zoo.

Included in the document are photographs and other images, to help support the text in all segments of the history. These photographs are mainly taken from the

University of Arkansas at Little Rock Center for Arkansas History and Culture, and the

Butler Center for Arkansas Studies a Division of the Central Arkansas Library system; both archives are housed in the Arkansas Studies Institute building in downtown Little

Rock. Pictures are also taken from the various scrapbooks that are located at the Zoo, most of which are newspaper articles from the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Additional pictures are also used from the collection of the Little Rock Zoo.

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Archival Recommendations

Developing and maintaining an institutional archive can be costly and time consuming; often requiring some level of expertise, particularly with audiovisual and digital materials. At a minimum, the Little Rock Zoo (LRZ) must consult with a professional archivist to establish good practices for present documents and put in place an action plan to handle future documentation. The Zoo would benefit from using an archival repository to store records. An archival repository provides the greatest possible environment for the records, removes the burden of large-scale long-term storage from the Zoo, and gives researchers the greatest access to the documentation of the Zoo.

The LRZ has a variety of materials in its archival collection. Each of these materials comes with its own set of preservation challenges. Although each type of material requires some unique preservation techniques, there are some general archival practices should be implemented for all materials. In particular, the storage and handling of materials is vital to preservation. If the Zoo decides to continue to store its own inactive institutional records, the following guidelines are essential to caring for its records.

Archival materials need to be kept in a climate controlled location, with temperatures between 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit with no more than +/- 5 degree variability and humidity between 35-50 percent, with +/- 5 percent variability. A pest management plan must be implemented to prevent damage to both active documents and those in long-term storage. Limiting the light exposure of materials is important in order to prevent accelerated deterioration. Care when handling archival materials is also important. Before touching materials, hands must be washed and dried, and the use of

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white cotton gloves is recommended. Surrogate or user copies should be generated for high use archival materials. Materials need to be stored in appropriate archival grade storage containers as outlined below. Archival materials must be inventoried, including location of items, to allow the Zoo to maintain intellectual control, physical control, and ease of access.

Paper

Documents need to be stored vertically in acid-free folders within acid-free boxes.

Papers of varying quality need to be separated when stored to prevent acid transfer such as newspaper causing acid transfer to higher quality office paper. It is preferred to have metal fasteners such as staples, binder clips, and paper clips removed before long-term storage to prevent rust from developing and permanent crimping of the papers. A retention schedule needs to be created to determine when and how documents are either destroyed or moved to long-term storage. Long-term storage must be moved to a climate controlled pest free area of the facility.

Photographs, Photographic Negatives, Slides

Preferred storage for photographs is to house them within individual polyester

(Mylar) sleeves or acid-free photograph envelopes. Specifically sized polyester sheets to house both photographic negatives and slides are recommended. There are specially sized archival boxes and binders designed to work in conjunction with these polyester protectors.

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Scrapbooks

Scrapbooks are typically fragile and volatile records. They are frequently made of low-quality high-acidity materials. The books are known for falling apart while at the same time damaging artifacts, such as photographs. Each scrapbook is an individual case that must be evaluated to determine how to best preserve it. Some deterioration can be prevented by using standard archival storage methods and by creating surrogates to lessen the amount of handling they receive. Depending upon the content and resources available, appropriate surrogates of scrapbook pages can include photocopies, photographs, or digital scans. This allows researchers to view the content without further damaging the original. In addition, to prevent acid transfer between pages, acid-free paper can be interleaved so long as it does not create excessive stress to the binding of the scrapbook. In cases where items are not strongly adhered to the pages, it may be best to remove the artifacts; always doing so with respect to their original order.

VHS Tapes

VHS tapes are, in general, rapidly approaching a state of degradation. VHS tapes are also quickly becoming an obsolete form of media, making them even more difficult to view. It is recommended that VHS tapes are migrated to another format as soon as possible to prevent loss of data. There are professional services, both local and non-local, that can mitigate the content for a fee.

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Digital Files

Digital files present a host of challenges for every organization, compounded by the ever-changing landscape of the information technology field. Storage media obsolescence, storage media degradation, and file format obsolescence are just a few of the complicated issues surrounding long-term digital storage. It is most appropriate to consult an information technology professional or digital archivist to evaluate what course of action is best for a particular organization’s needs.

Resources

For archival supplies: www.gaylord.com www.universityproducts.com www.hollingermetaledge.com

For digitization services: www.ptlp.com www.cantrellvideo.com www.bedfords.com www.ualr.edu/cahc

For archival standards and best practices: www.archivists.org www.loc.gov www.nara.gov

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Bibliography

Chapter 1 – A Zoo is Born

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Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “Curator Says King of the Jungle Is Misnomer For Lion.” 1931.

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Rambo, Ben E. “Parks and Sanitation Report.” Little Rock City Yearbook. Little Rock: January 9, 1928.

“Raymond Gray Named Director of City Zoo,” newspaper clipping from scrapbook in private collection. 1949.

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“Second Tiger Born at Municipal Zoo,” newspaper clipping from scrapbook in private collection.

Silva, Rachel. “Sandwiching in History: Herschell-Spillman Carousel, Little Rock Zoo.” Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. December 3, 2010. Accessed October 2, 2015. http://www.arkansaspreservation.com/Learn-More/sandwiching-in-history- archives.

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Chapter 2 – Mid-Century at the Zoo

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Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, AR). “Squires Saves Director Gray from Jaws of Alligator,” newspaper clipping from scrapbook in private collection.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “Raymond F. Gray Named Director of City Zoo,” newspaper clipping from scrapbook in private collection. 1948.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “Civitan Club Gives Zoo Eland Antelope,” newspaper clipping from scrapbook in private collection. 1951.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “New Alligator Added to the Zoo.” May 13, 1952.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR).“Mister Stork is Having a Busy Time Over at the Zoo.” October 14, 1952.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “Trio to Snip Ribbons, Open Monkey House at Zoo Today.” February 1, 1953.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “Gray Resigns as Zoo Director to Take Over Job in Memphis.” March 26, 1953.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “Zoo Hosts Easter Egg Hunt, Expected to Have 9,000 Children.” April 5, 1953.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “Gray Resigns to Take Over Job in Memphis.” May 23, 1953.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “Iguana Added to Zoo.” December 16, 1954.

Arkansas Gazette. (Little Rock, AR). “Vandals Release Wolves and Foxes.” February 7, 1955.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “When Animals Get Sick, Gun Loaded with Sleep is Invaluable Weapon.” August 6, 1959.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “At the Zoo.” February 21, 1960.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “Zoo to Lose its Old Look in Buildings.” February 21, 1960.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “Cage for Newest Animal, Old Iron Horse, Built at Zoo.” April 21, 1960.

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Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “Mother Goose Fairyland to be added to Kiddie Zoo.” April 29, 1960.

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Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “Director Raymond A. Squires Makes Animal Trades at Convention.” March 11, 1962.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “Civitan Club Installs Train at Kiddie Zoo of Fair Park.” June 13, 1962.

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Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “Little Rock Zoo’s Custom is to Let Fowl Run Loose, Few Complain, Squires.” May 27, 1965.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “The Most Popular Hit Show of All Time – The Zoo.” January 23, 1966.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “Little Rock’s Ruth.” March 6, 1966.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “Zoo Gets Two Polar Bear, Gift of Retired Realtor A. J. Heyden.” April 15, 1966.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “City Seeks U. S. Money for the Zoo.” September 23, 1966.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “2 Animals at Zoo Fed Golf Balls.” June 23, 1967.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “Tape Recorders Will Play Descriptions of Various Animals and the Locomotive.” July 4, 1967.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “City’s Zoo Officials Bag Alligators,” September 7, 1967.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “The Trader Comes Back With 5 More.” October 17, 1968.

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Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “Zoo Looses Funds to Build Monkey Isle.” February 19, 1969.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “Monkeys and Birds Get Fund.” July 25, 1969.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “Condors Take Over Aviary; Test by Eagle Is His Last.” August 6, 1969.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “13 foot Big Arkie Dies, Zoo’s Famous Alligator Famous Across the Land.” August 2, 1970.

Barr, Suzann and John. Interviewed by Nicolette Talley, September 17, 2015. The Little Rock Zoo History Project, transcript and audio recording, UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture.

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Burns Howard, Rebecca. Interviewed by Joseph Alley. October 6, 2015. The Little Rock Zoo History Project, transcript and audio recording, UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture.

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“Statement on Ellen the Elephant: Zoo Announces Death of Ellen the Elephant.” Little Rock Zoo. July 5, 2011. http://littlerockzoo.com/statementonellen.

Truman, Harry S. “Address in Little Rock at the Dedication of the World War Memorial Park.” June 11, 1949. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=13206.

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Chapter 3 – Bringing Down the Bars

Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, AR). “Animal Nursery Completed.” April, 1973.

Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, AR). " 'A Fine Zoo,' USDA Veterinarian Says After Inspection at Little Rock." September 9, 1975.

Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, AR). "Zoo Friends Plan Party." May 14, 1978.

Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, AR). "Zoo Violations? Humane Society Calls it 'Trouble Spot'." June 22, 1978.

Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, AR). “Plans for Proposed for Aquarium.” April, 1982.

Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, AR). "LR Zoo Among Elite Group with National Accreditation." December 23, 1985.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “Big Arkie Dies.” August 8, 1970.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). “Zoo Expects to Complete 3 Projects by June 30.”

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April 12, 1971.

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Organizational Timeline

1800s

Arkansas State Fair Commission acquired area 1868

known as Fair Park.

1920s

Arkansas State Fair held in Fair 1922 Park for the first time.

Carousel made its debut at the Arkansas State Fair. City of Little Rock acquired Municipal Park. American 1924

Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA) founded.

The City of Little Rock creates the Little Rock Zoo as a part of 1926 the City of Little Rock Parks and Sanitation Department.

Buffalo pen became first project completed at Fair Park 1927

Zoo.

1930s

The Zoo was renamed the Fair 07/1932 Park Zoological Garden.

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The first Zoo Commissioners for the Fair Park Municipal 06/04/1931

Zoo chosen.

Monkey House WPA project 1936 completed.

Cat House WPA project completed. The Zoo acquired 1937

Ruth the elephant.

The Zoo is renamed the Fair 1939 Park Zoo.

1940s

City of Little Rock places the Zoo in the newly created Parks and Recreation 1945 Department. Arkansas State Fair moved to location on Roosevelt Road.

City of Little Rock changed the 12/06/1948 name of Fair Park to War Memorial Park.

1950s

The Zoo constructs new hay barn north of the Elephant House. National Parks and Zoological Convention credited Little Rock with having one of the most 1952

outstanding zoos in the country for cities with less than 250,000 populations. The Zoo acquires Big Arkie the alligator.

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The Zoo acquires Ellen the 1954 elephant.

The Zoo installed fencing around animal pens to protect 1955

both animals and visitors.

The Civitan Club dedicated the 05/03/1956 Kiddie Zoo.

The Zoo remodeled the 1959 Monkey House.

1960s

The Zoo made accommodations for a new steam locomotive No. 1960 101 placed in front of the Lion House.

The City of Little Rock establishes a special fund to buy animals for the Zoo. I- 630 Interstate Expressway ramp built. The ramp cut off 1962 zoo from southward expansion, and eliminated portions of the Civitan Kiddie Zoo, duck pond, and small animal cages.

The Zoo constructed bear and 1965 small animal cages.

Federal American Welfare Act signed into law by 08/24/1966

Lyndon B. Johnson.

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The Zoo installed informational tape recorders near the kangaroo pen, elephant confine, 1967 swan lake, bear moat, and the locomotive. The Zoo constructed fox and wolf dens.

The Zoo constructed a new entrance complex featuring 1968 turnstiles to count visitors and two enclosed office buildings.

1970s

07/30/1070 Death of Big Arkie.

Completion of the Big 3 projects: Monkey Island, 04/1971 Chimp Island, & Exotic Bird House.

The Zoo holds first Zoo Days 1972 event.

The Zoo completed its animal 11/1973 nursery.

AZA begins Zoo accreditation 1974 program.

Fundraising partners Friends of the Zoo (FOZ) established. 1975 The Zoo organized the Docent program.

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Little Rock Zoo Explorer Post 1977 is established.

The Zoo announced new 10 05/1978 year Master Plan.

1980s

The Zoo began the Bring 04/1980 Down the Bars campaign.

The Zoo completed 05/1980 construction of the Big Cat display.

The Zoo implemented 1981 Species Survival Plan (SPP).

The Zoo charged first admission fee. The Zoo’s name 08/1981 changed back to the Little Rock Zoo.

A.D.O.P.T. a Wild Child 06/1982 program begins.

03/1983 1978 Master Plan revised.

The Zoo acquired Dolly the 08/07/1984 elephant.

Governor Clinton made an appearance at the Zoo and 06/1985 proclaimed June as Zoo Aquarium Month.

AAZPA awarded 12/1985 accreditation to the Zoo.

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Zoo opened new Great Ape 10/1988 exhibit and held Spectacular EscAPE event to celebrate.

1990s

The Zoo acquired Mary the elephant. The Zoo doubled 1990

admission rates.

AZA renewed accreditation for the Zoo. Snortin’ Norton the 1991 sloth bear was born at the Little Rock Zoo.

The Zoo held the first Boo at 1992 the Zoo event.

The Zoo acquires Fossey the 1993 gorilla from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio.

The Zoo opened Lemur 1997 Island.

The Zoo lost its AZA 07/10/1998 accreditation.

The Zoo Board of Governors created. City of Little Rock Board of Directors voted to 1999

make the Zoo a stand-alone city department.

2000s

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The Zoo regained AZA accreditation. The Board of 2001 Governors approved a new Zoo Master Plan, which included a new African Veldt Exhibit.

The FOZ organization 07/31/2002 dissolved.

The Zoo expanded the elephant 05/22/2003 enclosure to provide more room.

Arkansas Zoological 2003 Foundation (AZF) created.

The Zoo hosts the first Wild 05/2004 Wines event.

Zoo Year’s Eve started. New gorilla structures, entry plaza built, and lorikeet aviary 2006 built. Grizzly bear exhibit remodeled. Cafe Africa created.

The Zoo acquired the newly 09/2007 restored, antique Over-the- Jumps Carousel.

The Zoo holds first Hiland 03/2009 Dairy Dollar Day.

Time capsule installed in Over- 09/2010 the-Jumps Carousel.

2010s

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The Zoo opened Laura P. Nichols Penguin Pointe 05/03/2011

exhibit.

Death of Mary the elephant due 05/05/2011 to abdominal cancer.

The Zoo acquired two 06/08/2011 elephants, Jewell and Zina.

Ellen the elephant dies from 07/05/2011 heart attack after 57 years at the Zoo.

The Zoo participates in 2012 Poetry at the Zoo.

The Zoo opened Laura P. 07/07/2012 Nichols Cheetah Outpost.

LRZ’s AZA accreditation 09/2012 renewed.

The Zoo held first Cheetah 2013 Chase event.

The Zoo kicked off new 2014 recycling initiative.

Diamond Express opened for 06/2014 use.

2015 Death of Fossey the gorilla.

The Zoo broke ground on 04/23/2015 new farm exhibit.

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Zoo Directors, 1926 to the present

Frank N. (Nelse) Taggart, 1926

Frank N. Taggart, known as Nelse, served as superintendent for the Zoo's inaugural year. Taggart helped develop facilities for the animals aided by his seasoned background as a contractor. Under his leadership, the Zoo built its first animal enclosures and secured land in Fair Park to continue development. After only serving at the Zoo for one year, Taggart went back to contract work as a painter and builder in the years following his tenure.

M. W. (Willie) Gray, 1927-1931

M. W. Gray was reportedly the first employee of the Zoo. As the first caretaker at the Zoo, he worked to find a permanent location for the Zoo in Fair Park. After Taggart left the Zoo in 1927, Gray took over operational control. Gray championed the Zoo from

1927 to 1931, ensuring that the animals had the care and resources they needed to survive the Great Depression. Though Gray is never listed as the Superintendent of the Zoo in any official record, most accounts cite him as the first director. In 1931, the City appointed William Sprott as Superintendent and Gray continued work as a keeper at the

Zoo until at least 1935.

William R. (Bill) Sprott, 1931-1944

William R. Sprott served as superintendent during one of the most pivotal times in the Zoo's early history. Sprott oversaw recovery from the Great Depression, which included the construction of Works Projects Administration buildings such as the Cat

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House and Monkey House. The Zoo's first noteworthy acquisitions, such as Ruth the elephant, Tex the Camel, and Nero the Lion, were made during this period. Sprott's dedication to the Zoo helped it embrace the New Deal programs offered during the Great

Depression, and survive with depleted resources and rationing during World War II.

Sprott left the Zoo in 1944 and moved to Memphis, Tennessee.

Edward (Ed) Hefele, 1941-1944

Ed Hefele served as Interim Superintendent while the Zoo searched for a qualified candidate to operate the Zoo. Though Hefele only served in a temporary capacity, he ushered in a new age of educational programming in partnership with local organizations.

Hefele also became the first Superintendent to represent the Zoo at a national conference.

Raymond Gray, 1948-1953

Raymond Gray, son of W. M. Gray, returned from World War II to continue working for the City of Little Rock in 1945. At the time, a job search was being conducted for the Zoo Superintendent position. Gray proved to be the only qualified candidate and the City appointed him Zoo Superintendent in 1948. In 1949 the City passed an ordinance changing the position title of Zoo Superintendent to Zoo Director, as the position is known today. During Gray’s tenure he oversaw the development of the

Elephant House and the renovation of the Monkey House. He also initiated a successful breeding program. In 1953 the Overton Park Zoo in Memphis, Tennessee, offered him a position as the Zoo Director, so he left the Little Rock Zoo.

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Raymond Squires, 1953-1975

Raymond Squires’ tenure as Director of the Zoo spanned twenty-one years, making him the longest serving director. Squires spearheaded a campaign to turn the animal enclosures into a more convincing natural environment. Some of the projects completed during his tenure included the Big Three Project, the Kiddie Zoo, and the bear and small carnivore exhibit. Director Squires helped greatly expand the number of animals acquired by the Zoo during his tenure.

Charles Wilson, 1975-1977

While Charles Wilson only served as Director of the Zoo for two years, he addressed a need for more educational staff at the Zoo. In response to this need, Wilson created the docent program. Docents not only gave tours to visitors at the Zoo, but also helped with documentation at the Zoo. After his resignation, Wilson went to work for the

Memphis Zoo.

C.B. (Birdog) Rogers, 1977-1978

C.B. "Birdog" Rodgers only served at the Zoo for one year, but during his short tenure, he introduced a $4.5 million Master Plan. This 1978 proposal included plans that expanded the Zoo's land area and gave the Zoo much needed upgrades for the animal enclosures. The Big Cat Exhibit, Great Ape Exhibit, and the existing administrative building are all direct effects of the short period that Rogers served as Director of the

Zoo.

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Robert (Bob) Cooper, 1977-1984

Robert Cooper became director in September 1977. Cooper helped the Zoo progress by enrolling it in the Species Survival Plan, which works to preserve the genetic diversity of captive animals. Cooper also helped the Zoo become more involved with conservation outreach. One of Cooper’s greatest accomplishments was the construction of the Big Cat Display, and the beginning of more open-air exhibits for the animals. The

Bringing Down the Bars campaign began during his tenure. Cooper had an interest in obtaining Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation, and began working towards it before retiring in 1984.

David Westbrook, 1984-1999

David Westbrook began working at the LRZ in June 1977 as a night watchman, and quickly moved up through the ranks to Director by June 1984. Westbrook’s proudest accomplishment during his tenure was the construction of the Great Ape display, which included all three-ape species: chimpanzee, orangutans, and gorillas. Westbrook was heavily involved in the Bringing Down the Bars campaign before being promoted to

Director, and continued work on the campaign during his directorship. AZA first awarded the Zoo accreditation shortly after Westbrook became director, but the Zoo unfortunately lost it shortly before Westbrook left. In 1999, Westbrook resigned and began working at the Museum of Discovery for a short time before starting Field Trips 2 You, which does educational programs for school children.

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Michael (Mike) Blakely, 1999-

Michael Blakely became the Director of the Zoo in 1999 during the Board of

Governors’ search for a new director. Before becoming Director, Blakely worked at

Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon, the Kansas City Zoo, the Oregon Zoo in Portland, and the Oklahoma City Zoo. Blakely’s first plan as director was to improve the Zoo and regain accreditation. During his time, Blakely has supervised the construction of the

Laura P. Nichols Penguin Pointe, and the Laura P. Nichols Cheetah Outpost, and is currently working towards completing the Arkansas Heritage Farm. Blakely is focused on educating visitors about conservation and sustainability, which he does by inspiring visitors through immersive exhibits and shows at the Zoo.

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Animal Appendix

Nero the lion A circus donated Nero, the Zoo’s first male

lion, to the Little Rock Zoo (LRZ). Nero was

trained by the Hagenbeck & Wallace Shows.

Several other traveling shows tried to purchase

Nero from LRZ, but none were successful. In

1931, Director W.R. Sprott emphasized in a

newspaper article the importance of handling

exotic animals like Nero with care and respect.

He stated that “old Nero the male lion

certainly gives a good imitation of a fierce

jungle cat with his magnificent shaggy head Nero the lion was known and the "King of the Jungle." ca. 1931. Courtesy of the and strong muscular legs, however, there are Arkansas Gazette. more lions in captivity than any other jungle beast because lions are hard to easily frighten and are easier to handle than the leopard or the tiger.” Nero was famous with the visitors of LRZ, especially when he let out a terrifying roar that shook the foundations of the animal buildings.

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Ruth the elephant LRZ acquired Ruth the elephant around 1937.

A small circus in Texas going out of business

sold Ruth to the Zoo. The Zoo made plans to

purchase her, and announced their plans in the

local newspaper and on the radio, and schools

started a public campaign to support the

Little Rock Director, Raymond Squires, acquisition. The Zoo also purchased riding putting Ruth the elephant through trick routine. ca. 1952. Courtesy of the Clifton Hull Photography Collection, Butler Center for gear from the circus, so that visitors could ride Arkansas Studies. on Ruth’s back. Bill Beckett, a Zoo employee, continued to work on circus tricks with Ruth on Sunday afternoons, which Ruth learned from her previous owners. Ruth was gentle with children and allowed them feed her.

LRZ first housed Ruth in a fenced enclosure in the center of the Cat House for a year, until the old concession building was remodeled into the new Elephant House. More than fifteen years later, nearly 5,000 people attended Ruth’s thirty-fourth birthday celebration on September 14, 1947. Ruth was born in 1913, and continued to be a hit at LRZ until her death at age sixty-two in 1977. Three months prior to her death, Ruth was believed to have been the world’s oldest living elephant. Ruth has been credited with commanding the greatest amount of attention at LRZ from her arrival, until joined by Ellen the elephant in the 1950s.

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Ellen the elephant LRZ purchased Ellen in 1954 from Thailand

at the age of five. While the circumstances

of her purchase are unknown, her arrival

was well documented. A local

philanthropist, Raymond Rebsamen,

purchased Ellen as a companion for Ruth, Baby Ellen with adult Ruth.. Courtesy of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies. who at this point had been alone at the Zoo for

28 years. Ellen’s arrival was an ordeal from the start; first, she broke out of her crate at

Union Station in downtown Little Rock and wandered around until keepers finally came to transport her to the Zoo. Then she had her meeting with Ruth, who was initially tense, but Ruth quickly warmed to Ellen. Ellen was a huge draw to crowds, and also participated in Ruth’s birthday parties, learning some circus tricks to entertain the children. When Ruth became too old to perform, Ellen continued to participate in the birthday parties until she too became too old perform the tricks. Ellen continued to live a happy life at the Zoo for many years, and saw the addition of Dolly and Mary, who acted as companions for Ellen after the death of Ruth. Ellen finally passed from either a heart attack or stroke at the age of 60 on the morning of July 5th 2011.

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Big Arkie the alligator Farmers James Moten and

Mannon Clayton first

discovered Big Arkie near

Grassy Lake in Hempstead Big Arkie pictured after being captured. Courtesy of the Arkansas Democrat. County, Arkansas, in early spring of 1952. After roping the alligator, their initial plans to release him on the other side of the lake were waylaid by Ed Jackson, who helped to bring Big Arkie to the attention of the LRZ. After spending the night in the children’s pool in nearby Hope,

Arkansas, he was trucked to the Zoo and received moderate fanfare upon his arrival. The alligator fought his handlers at every turn, showing a nasty temperament that matched his enormous 13-foot long body.

Lincoln Zoo Director Marlin Perkins, who later went on to gain much fame with

Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, was in town at a conference and was called over to help with the unloading, as Big Arkie proved to be too much for the staff. The alligator’s life at the Zoo was for the most part uneventful, but he steadily drew crowds, causing him to be a boon to the Zoo’s attendance. Many offers to buy Big Arkie came across the director’s desk, and all were refused; the Zoo simply saw him as being too valuable to give up. When he died of old age, he was stuffed and put on display in the reptile building for many years. Later, he was moved to the Arkansas Game and Fish

Commission building, and then again to the Science Building of Arkansas State

University. Recently, his body was used in a major remodel of the building’s lobby, taking center stage once again.

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Snortin’ Norton and Thor the sloth bears Norton the sloth bear was born at the

LRZ in 1991. Norton’s nickname

came from the loud, playful snorting

sounds he made towards the

zookeepers, and other animals,

including his companion Thor, and

his mother. Norton may have been Norton (right) and his companion, Thor. Courtesy of the Little Rock Zoo. born in Little Rock, but he spent most of his life at another small zoo in Alabama. Norton returned to LRZ in November 2006, when he was fifteen years old. Shortly after his return to Arkansas, Norton’s appetite began to change, and he became more aggressive; even towards his companion Thor. In

January 2007, the zookeepers reported that Norton was sick. In February 2008, Snortin’

Norton died in his sleep. He was seventeen years old.

Thor and his sister, Tasha were born at LRZ on December 27, 2004 to their parents, Nocona and Francois. Francois was acquired from the National Zoo in

Washington D.C., for the purpose of breeding. He sired two sets of cubs, but at the recommendation of the SSP he lived only with his mate, Narcona. Tasha and Thor lived in separate exhibits until Norton returned. Thor and Norton were paired in 2006.

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Trudy the gorilla Trudy the gorilla is one of the LRZ’s most well-known

residents in the gorilla habitat, and she is the second

oldest gorilla living in captivity. Trudy, unlike most of

gorillas in zoos today, was not born under the SSP

program. She was caught in the wild, which makes

verifying her exact age difficult. What is known about

Trudy’s past is that as an infant she was brought to the

United States from Africa in 1957, and she has resided in Trudy the gorilla, photo displayed on the Little Rock both the St. Louis and Buffalo Zoos. In 1988, Trudy, and Zoo's website. her mate, Ollie, was transferred to the LRZ for the grand opening of the Great Ape Display. This was the first time gorillas were showcased in

Arkansas. She lost her long-time mate, Ollie, in 1990 due to kidney failure, and in 2015, celebrated her fifty-eighth birthday. Trudy still resides at the LRZ with her male companion Brutus, in one of the smaller gorilla habitats, and is reported by Zoo staff as being in excellent health.

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Fossey the gorilla

Fossey was born in 1986, at the Columbus

Zoo in Ohio, and was named after Dian

Fossey--a primatologist who studied gorillas

for two decades, and author of the book

titled Gorillas in the Mist. Fossey was

transferred to LRZ on November 8, 1993.

As the patriarch of the Zoo’s gorilla family,

Fossey had two mates: Sekani and

Catherine. During his time at LRZ he

fathered the first two baby gorillas born at

the Zoo: Mosi in 2006, and Adelina in 2012. Photograph of Fossey the gorilla. Courtesy of the Little Rock Zoo. In 2008, he was diagnosed with a cardiovascular disease, which caused his heart to have a thickened left ventricular wall and severe mitral valve regurgitation. For the rest of his life, he was under the care of a local cardiac technician, and a veterinary internal medicine specialist, who worked with

LRZ veterinary staff and keepers. In 2015, Fossey died suddenly with his cardiovascular disease being the suspected cause of death. He was twenty-nine years old when he died, coming just short of the average life span of thirty-one years for a male western lowland gorilla.

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Over-the-Jumps Carousel

The Little Rock Zoo houses a unique feature that celebrates the long history of

War Memorial Park, formerly known as Fair Park. The Over-the-Jumps Arkansas carousel was a major feature at the amusement park in Fair Park. It was manufactured in

1924 by Spillman Engineering Corporation of North Tonawanda, New York.337 The

Over-the-Jumps model made its debut on August 15, 1924 at the Aurora Exposition and

Fair in Aurora, Illinois, as part of C.A. Worthem’s Worlds’ Best Shows, a traveling entertainment company in the early twentieth century. Spillman Engineering Corporation built four of these carousels, but the Little Rock carousel is the only fully functional surviving example.

The hand-carved Over-the-Jumps carousel is unique in its design and track mechanism, and operates the same way today as it did in 1924. It was designed to be a transportable model that could be easily disassembled and set up temporarily at small carnivals and fairs. This carousel required three eighteen-foot wagons to transport it. Its horses were made of hollow boxes of basswood with detachable heads, legs, and tails.

They were designed to be as light as possible and to take up a minimal amount of space.338 The carousel took four to five hours to erect once in its location. This model has a diameter of forty feet, with a center pole, and twenty-four sweep arms that are each connected to a wooden wheel with a cast-iron hub and rim. The wheels run along an

337 Rachel Silva. “Sandwiching in History: Herschell-Spillman Carousel, Little Rock Zoo,” December 3, 2010, accessed October 2, 2015, http://www.arkansaspreservation.com/Learn-More/sandwiching-in- history-archives, 3. 338 Mary Anne Anderson and Kenneth Story. National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, October 30, 1989, 7.

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undulating track, described in midway catalogs of the 1960s as a caterpillar,339 to give riders the feeling of going over hilly terrain on jumping or flying horses, thus the carousel being aptly named “Over-the-Jumps.”

The wooden riding and stationary platforms are as unique as the carousel itself.

The walking platform surrounds the mobile riding platform, and the riding platform is

divided into five-foot

segments, each separated

by one wooden wheel.

Each wheel between the

segments is twenty-four

inches in diameter, making

a total of twenty-four

wheels.340 Each wheel

Man hand-carving a horse for the carousel. segment carries two horses or one chariot, with one chariot situated between each set of ten horses (four chariots in all). A wooden well covers each wheel on the riding platform; the well originally protected women’s dresses from the grease collected on the wheels of the track. The riding platform moves with the horses, while the walking platform remains stationary along the outside.341 To assist carousel riders, round stepping boards on the edge of the riding platform are approximately six inches above the walking platform. The horses are

339 Anderson and Story, 1. 340Anderson and Story, 1. 341Silva, 5.

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attached to the riding platform with stirrups and tie-bars between each horse in a pair, and are secured to the riding platform with a steel bar.342

The Over-the-Jumps model was powered by different methods over time. When the carousel was created, it was steam-powered. Decades later, it was operated by a wound rotor ten-hp electric motor with three speeds and a brake handle, which turned a wide leather belt that drove a motor shaft. If electricity was not available, the belt was attached to a tractor to power it.343 Today, the Over-the-Jumps carousel is still powered by an electric motor.

In 1942, Little Rock resident and Fair Park concessioner Thomas A. Fuzzell and his wife, Belle, purchased the Over-the-Jumps carousel in Florida, saving it from destruction, and returned it to Arkansas. Fuzzell placed the carousel in Fair Park, as part of Fuzzell’s Fair Park Amusement Rides,344 enabling Arkansans to ride it at War

Memorial Amusement Park.345 Fuzzell operated the carousel for twenty years, and it was reportedly his favorite ride.346 In the late 1940s, the carousel received an additional wooden dome,347 to shelter it from the weather.

In the 1970s, Fuzzell dismantled part of the Over-the-Jumps carousel, and then sold it. Prior to selling the carousel, Fuzzell removed two outside horses, and replaced them with two Trojan horses from a different carousel, which remain on it today. In 1973,

Fuzzell retired from his business, and sold the carousel to War Memorial Park

342Anderson and Story, 1. 343 Cindy Dawson, “Finally Over the Jumps,” The Carousel News and Trader Magazine, February 17, 2008, accessed November 15, 2015, http://www.carouselnews.com/December-2007/December- 2007/Finally-Over-The-Jumps.html, 2. 344 Silva, 5. 345 “The Arkansas Carousel,” Little Rock Zoo, accessed August 29, 2015, http://www.littlerockzoo. com/ carousel, 1. 346 Dawson, 2. 347 Anderson and Story, 3.

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concessioners Doyle “Doc” O’Kelley and Lloyd “Mokie” Choate.348 The Over-the-Jumps carousel remained in War Memorial Park for seventeen more years before being put into storage.

During the 1980s, the carousel gained national attention for its historical significance in Arkansas. In 1989, then-Governor William “Bill” Jefferson Clinton, the

Department of Arkansas Heritage, the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, and its director Ken Grunewald, recognized the carousel’s historical value, and assisted in listing it on the National Register of Historic Places.349 It was placed on the National Register of

Historic Places on December 1, 1989.350

In 1991, while the City of Little Rock renovated War Memorial Amusement Park,

Choate placed the carousel up for sale for $350,000. Spurred by the possibility of it being sold to an out-of-state buyer and dismantled, on May 23, 1991, Marlena Grunewald,

Mike Kinard, Joan Gould, Travis Walls, and Dr. Dan Cook formed a non-profit corporation called Friends of the Carousel (FOC), to purchase and restore it. Kinard approached Choate, and offered $1,000 in earnest money to buy the carousel for

$250,000 within six months. However, Choate extended their agreement to raise the money to buy it, because he too wanted the carousel to stay in Arkansas. Through extensive fundraising by FOC, thousands of individuals and groups within Arkansas, as well as those out-of-state,351 the Over-the-Jumps carousel stayed in Arkansas to be enjoyed by future generations.

348 Dawson, 2. 349 Dawson, 2. 350 “A Lookback at Carousel,” AETN, accessed November 7, 2015, http://www.aetn.org/loupe/arts/ posts/a_lookback_ at_ carousel, 1. 351 Dawson, 3.

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When FOC purchased the carousel, it needed immediate restoration of the horses and chariots, the floor, and the operating mechanism. To get an idea of the scope of the project, FOC hired

Will Morton, a national expert in carousel restoration, who estimated that the cost of the restoration range from $100,000 to $500,000, and it would take at least a Photograph of a restored horse. year to get it running. The restoration depended upon raising funds to keep the process going for as long as necessary. The entire restoration took sixteen years to complete, followed by a second restoration of the horses a year later. Many Arkansans had fond memories of riding the carousel, so the FOC Board adopted the slogan “Keep the

Memories Turning.” With this in mind, FOC began solicitations, activities, and many creative fund raising projects to finance the restoration.352 One of the FOC’s first restoration tasks was contacting an appropriate craftsman to repair the wooden wheels.

An Amish wheelwright, a historic carriage conservator in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, did the work for a reasonable fee.353 Becky Witsell, a Little Rock artist and restoration

352 Dawson, 3. 353 Dawson, 6.

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expert, said the wheels had the same deterioration problem as the wooden horses caused by the climate, moisture, and changes in the aging wood.354

Restoration of the horses and chariots was a painstaking process. Artists traced all of the carving designs, so they could be retained. Two paint samples were taken from each place on the horses. The restorers kept one set of paint samples from all parts of each horse, and sent all of the other samples to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory determined which layer of paint was the original. The artists intended to use the original layer of paint to restore the horses to the way they looked in 1924.355 Given that no two horses are alike, the restoration team created a notebook for each one, cataloging details about its condition and characteristics.

The carousel was then dismantled.

The horses went to several locations to be worked on by paid and volunteer workers. These restoration workers Paint samples from the Carousel. had to strip as many as forty-three layers of paint off of each horse.

354 Becky Witsell, interviewed by Bean Murray, October 7, 2015, The Little Rock History Project, transcript and audio recording, UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture. 355 Dawson, 6.

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Originally, Becky Witsell, Rick Parker, and Pete Sixbey shared the restoration work, but their work varied enough to create different results in the horses. FOC opted for uniformity and chose Parker, a restoration and conservation specialist from Gentry,

Arkansas to do the bulk of the restoration work. Other artists contributing to the restoration were Sixbey, Witsell, Andrew Zawacki, Bob Pennick, and several “paint- pickers.” They fixed broken legs, replaced eyes and teeth, and repainted according to the original color scheme.356 A FOC subcommittee recommended replacing the floor with water-resistant cypress wood. Cal Partee and Larry Burrows of the Partee Flooring Mill in Magnolia, Arkansas donated a new cypress floor.357

During the 2000s, the LRZ acquired the Over-the-Jumps carousel. On April 12,

2005, Matson, Inc. was hired to build a new entry plaza for the Zoo, and a cover for the carousel to protect it from the weather.358 On September 4, 2007, FOC sold the Over-the-

Jumps model to the LRZ for $150,000.359 On Oct. 19, 2007, FOC board members Philip

Baldwin, Danny Huber, Barbara Merrick, Keith Dover, Lloyd “Mokie” Choate, Zoo

Facilities Manager Delbert Dawson, and their crew put the forty restored horses on the carousel. Steve Raley started the motor, and it worked perfectly. The FOC dedicated the carousel at a gala ball on October 22, 2007, with Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola and

Governor Mike Beebe serving as co-chairmen.360

A year after the carousel began working again, the horses needed more repairs.

The original eighty-year-old paint was not protecting the wood or holding laminated

356 Dawson, 6. 357 Dawson, 7. 358 Resolution No. 11,970, City of Little Rock Clerk’s Records, April 12, 2005. 359 Resolution No. 12,566 – X, City of Little Rock Clerk’s Records, September 4, 2007. 360 Dawson, 8.

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pieces together. FOC hired Witsell to analyze the problem, restore the horses, and develop a maintenance schedule.361 She said

[t]he restoration that had been done previously was done trying to save all of the original paint that was still on the horses in the early 1920s, and that was magnificent that it was all there, and if you were doing a restoration where it was going to be in a museum, that was precisely the right thing to do. But what we discovered was that the paint of course, was over eighty years old and it had lost all of its oil and things that would hold them together. So, it was no longer viable to protect the wooden horses from the weather.362 The first step required once again tracing all of the hand-painted decorations, then exposing, photographing, and studying the original paint surface to replicate it.363 Witsell worked with two other artists for over a year to repair the wood, restore it with linseed oil and mineral spirits, sand, and paint the horses.364 After the first prime coat, final filling on small dents and dings were sanded, followed by two more prime coats, fine sanding, and three base coats of flat oil to complete the underpainting. After this, the decorative paint was applied, followed by three glaze coats, and two coats of varnish.365 Although the carousel has a roof, the weather and continuous use require routine cleaning and maintenance. To this end, Witsell developed a process to keep the horses clean and deal with oil from the mechanism.366 She states that working on the carousel was

…a nice ending to my career, to go back and do something like a lot of the things I worked on, were things that I grew up knowing, but this one, of course, was—I grew up riding it, running up and down the midway, playing Go Fish, and coming home with crummy toys. It was a special, special place.367

361 Witsell, interview. 362 Ibid. 363 Becky Witsell, “Over the Jumps: Arkansas Carousel,” PowerPoint presentation, Little Rock Civitan Club, July 10, 2010. 364 Ibid. 365 Ibid. 366 Witsell, interview. 367 Ibid.

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The history of the Over-the-Jumps carousel spans ninety-one years. When it was brought to Little Rock and placed in Fair Park at the Arkansas State Fair, it was enjoyed by generations of Arkansans, both young and old. The carousel’s longstanding popularity was proven sixty years later by the fundraising efforts of FOC, Arkansas residents, and out-of-state donors who wanted to keep it in the state. By purchasing the Over-the-Jumps model, the LRZ made history, by having a carousel that is the only fully functioning one of its kind. Today at the LRZ, it continues to make history, as new generations are experiencing the same thrill of riding it as those who rode it nearly a century ago.

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Programs That Shaped the Little Rock Zoo

Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)

Founded in 1924, the AZA is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums, specifically in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. A group of experts, titled the AZA Accreditation Commission, examines zoos and aquariums so as to be granted the official recognition of being a member of the AZA. The many benefits of AZA accreditation include increased eligibility for grants, and a wider range of exemptions from state and government requirements. In addition to this, AZA accredited facilities gain access to critical programs and services such as the Animal Exchange and the Species Survival Plan.

Species Survival Plan (SSP)

The SSP was developed in 1981 by the AZA with the intent of creating a program that cooperatively manage specific, typically threatened or endangered, species population. There are over 450 SSP programs, each responsible for developing a breeding and transfer plan. These help identify population management goals and recommendations to ensure a healthy, genetically diverse, and demographically varied

AZA population.

Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE)

Saving Animals From Extinction extends across 229 AZA-accredited organizations with the focus on identifying threats, developing action plans, raising new resources and educating the public on animals nearing extinction. In total, SAFE has 750 thousand animals, representing 6,000 species. This program invests over $160 million dollars annually with the intent to protect animals in the wild.

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Population Management Plans (PMP)

In 1994, the AZA created the PMP to provide basic population management for animals in captivity. These plans established studbook populations that did not require management or conservation actions. The studbooks provide accurate records of the history of the captive population. These records include animal pedigrees and contain a list of the zoos that house the animals while monitoring and managing the captive population by providing an entire history in a population, also known as the genetic and demographic identities.

International Species Information System (ISIS)

Founded in 1974, ISIS created an international database to help zoos and aquariums accomplish long-term conservation management goals. The intent of ISIS was to facilitate open dialogue and shared knowledge on animals and their environments for zoos, aquariums, and related conservation organizations. Today the database provides data to more than 800 institutions and contains information on 2.6 million animals, and is constantly expanding.

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Local Organizations Currently Integral to Little Rock Zoo Operations

The Zoo Board of Governors

The Little Rock City Board of Directors passed ordinance No. 17927-X on

January 26, 1999, creating the Zoo Board of Governors (BOG). The BOG reviews and counsels the City of Little Rock on the plans, operations, and maintenance of the Zoo.

The Board consults and advises the Zoo’s director and recommends future policies, programs, and projects of the Zoo. The Board of Governors is in charge of determining upcoming financial needs of the Zoo and reporting this budget to the City Manager to be incorporated into the City’s Budget. In addition, the Board of Governors manages the plans and operations of the Little Rock Zoo. Its authority ranks second only to the Little

Rock City Board of Directors and City Manager. The Board consists of a city director and eight members. The Little Rock City Board of Directors appoints these eight members.

Arkansas Zoological Foundation, Inc.

The Arkansas Zoological Foundation is a nonprofit 501 (C) 3 filed in 2003. The board of directors, all of which are community volunteers, operates the foundation. The organization collects donations for the construction of exhibits and other operations of the

Little Rock Zoo, hosts events, such as Wild Wines, and offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. This organization helped raise funds for the Laura P. Nichols Cheetah

Outpost, Laura P. Nichols Penguin Pointe, and the Arkansas Diamond Express train.

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Project Proposal

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HFI: Biographies

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Amy Gragert, Little Rock Researcher

Amy received her B.A. in historic preservation from Southeast Missouri University. She is currently in the M.A. in Public History program at UALR and plans to graduate in May of 2016. Her degree emphasis is archives. She is a graduate assistant at UALR’s Center for Arkansas History and Culture in the Digital Services Lab. She is also employed as a project archivist at the Arkansas History Commission.

Hilary Hatley, Monticello Researcher

Hilary received her B.A. in history from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. She is currently in the M.A. in Public History program at UALR and plans to graduate in December of 2015. Her degree emphasis is museums and education. She completed an internship at Historic Arkansas Museum. She is a member of Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society.

Jeremy Larson, Little Rock Researcher

Jeremy received his B.A. in history from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He is currently in the M.A. in Public History program at UALR and plans to graduate in May of 2016. His degree emphasis is historic preservation and education. He interned at the Clinton Presidential Library. He is a member of Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Shelby Linck, Little Rock Researcher

Shelby received her B.A. in anthropology from the University of Arkansas. She is currently in the M.A. in Public History Program at UALR and plans to graduate in December of 2016. Her degree emphasis is museums. She interned in the Exhibits department at the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, a division of the Central Arkansas Library System. She has a graduate assistantship at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library. Shelby is a member of Lambda Alpha Honors Society, Delta Epsilon Iota, and the Arkansas Archaeological Survey.

Mary Janet “Bean” Murray, Little Rock Researcher

Bean received her B.A. in sociology from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She is in the M.A. in Public History program at UALR and plans to graduate in December of 2015. Her degree emphasis is applied public history. She interned at the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, a division of the Central Arkansas Library System. She is a member of Pi Kappa Phi National Honor Society.

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Shakeelah Rahmaan, Little Rock Researcher

Shakeelah received her B.A. in history from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She is in the M.A. in Public History program at UALR and plans to graduate in May of 2016. Her degree emphasis is museums. Shakeelah is a graduate assistant at Historic Arkansas Museum.

Bridget Wood, Little Rock Researcher

Bridget received her B.A. in history from Southern Arkansas University. She is currently in the M.A. in Public History program at UALR and plans to graduate in May of 2016. Her degree emphasis is museums. Bridget is a graduate assistant at the Center for Arkansas History and Culture processing the audiovisual material of the James Guy Tucker, Jr. Papers. She completed her internship at Historic Arkansas Museum. She is a member of the Arkansas Museum Association.

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