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Santa Barbara Zoo
Established in 1963
Located at 500 Niños Drive
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The Zoo entrance was off Niños Drive near the ocean. A large parking lot
allowed for easy access but cost US $5.00 to park. The MTD Downtown Waterfront Shuttle
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Admissions was shaded and nicely decorated. But note that the sidewalk ran around the outside of the
parking lot, creating an extra long walk for pedestrians and those who arrived by bus,
but a short walk for those who drove.
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The sign above admissions read:
Family Meal Deal $36
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Just inside the entrance was a wide bridge over a stream filled with wildlife.
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Just the other side of the bridge was a cafe with food. Off to the right, just out of view, was
a gift shop.
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The sign describing this Macaw read:
"Living in swamps and forests of Central and South America, this macaw's diet
includes poisonous fruits and the local river clay, which neutralizes the toxins."
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In 2003 the Zoo celebrated its 40th Anniversary. All those who supported that event
were credited on a large tile plaque in the main entry courtyard.
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The capybara enclosure appeared to be empty, but a capybara was
hiding in the shade at the very rear of the enclosure. Several would
emerge later at feeding time.
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The zoo had a single aviary. One set of double doors led in, and another set led out.
The sign read: "For the safety of our Birds, please... Close the outer door before opening the inner door."
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The aviary contained birds of tropical Asia. Unfortunately few were in evidence
mid afternoon.
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Inside the aviary was lushly overgrown with many places for small birds to hide.
A patient person could wait and remain still for a while to spot birds, but an impatient
person would return at feeding time.
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Koi swam in a small pond inside the Aviary.
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The white-handed gibbon area was an island festooned with ropes.
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The sign on the fence read:
"Gibbons are among the most endangered primates. Loss of tropical
rain forest habitat, poaching for food, and capturing
young gibbons for the pet trade seriously threaten their survival."
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The sign on Leopard Tortoise enclosure read:
"These beautiful tortoises are named for the spotted pattern on their shells.
This colorful pattern helps you tortoises to blend in with their
African grassland habitats. Older tortoises
can reach a weight of over 100 pounds and therefore need no protection from
predators."
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These Chilean Flamingo were numbered 13 (closest) and 27 in the rear.
Most Zoos display flamingos right at the entrance. These were displayed
internally.
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Here was a fully grown African elephant inside a huge enclosure.
The intention was to give the elephant space to roam, not to diminish its stature.
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Windows allowed underwater viewing of penguins swimming.
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The tight wire used on this enclosure made a clean photograph impossible.
A sign on this enclosure read in part:
"Thousands of these vultures clean up over 13,000 pounds of decaying animal
remains each year in the Serengeti alone."
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A wide path led along the rear of the zoo. At the end of this path
was an area for special events. To the right were the train tracks
for a train that was not running that day.
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The path passed by a sign that showed where one was in relation to the zoo at large.
A bench and a statue of a resting elephant.
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A statue of a resting elephant. This statue was small, no more then
3 feet (1 meter) high. There was neither a plaque nor a sign to credit the artist.
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Near the rear of the Zoo was a children's playground.
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A lion rested in its enclosure.
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The Baringo Giraffe is found in Uganda and Northern West Kenya.
At scheduled times during the day, one can pay to help feed the giraffes.
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A sign allowed the passing visitor to place his or her face into
a hole at the top. This sign described the family tree for homonids with
humans at the top.
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The male gorilla named Kivu born 18 August 1991 in Buffalo Zoo, New York.
He stands 5'-7" (170 cm) tall and weighs 444 lbs. (201 kgs).
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A sign just outside the gorilla enclosure read:
"The Forest's Edge: A habitat for endangered great apes."
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A sign "Rattlesnake canyon" on the outside of a building. Inside were
exhibits of rattlesnakes.
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A petting zoo featured goats and sheep. Machines dispensed the proper food to
feed these animals. A sink was available to wash one's hands afterward.
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Later that afternoon the capybara finally emerged to be photographed.
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