Rosamond Gifford Zoo

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is a zoological garden in Burnet Park, Syracuse, in the State of New York.

The owner and managers is Onondaga County Parks. The garden contains over 600 animal species. Highlights include the elephant enclosure, various nature trails under free-living animals, petting zoo, waterfowl pond, a large outdoor aviary as well as the newly created Penguin plant. The zoo also includes a center for training in conservation biology.

History

After opening in 1914, the size of the Zooareals 1.61 ha in 1916 was the first time the zoo was enlarged with a bear enclosure and a waterfowl pond. 1933 the area had doubled, and in 1955 the park enlarged by the additional construction of a petting zoo and a monkey enclosure once more.

Bad times

A deterioration around the zoo began in the early 60s, when the tax revenue of the city of Syracuse, began to shrink, and thus the financial budget to support the zoo was cut.

In 1974, two teenagers managed to break into the zoo and kill around 40 animals or injured. Despite a grant to a further increase of around 7.3 hectares, the city of Syracuse, via challenged the jurisdiction of the zoo to the Onondaga County.