ROYAL OAK, Mich., The Detroit Zoo marked 80 years of celebrating and saving wildlife and serving the community.  Here is a look back at some of the milestones in the history of one of Michigan’s most beloved institutions.

1928 – Detroit Zoo opens to the public on August 1.  Habitats include bear dens, lion dens, bird house, elk yard, raccoon and wolverine habitats, African veldt and completely stocked lakes.
1928 – Zoo closes on December 3 for the winter, having entertained 1.5 million visitors in its first four months.
1930-32 – New animals and habitats are added, including elephants, rhinos, giraffes, bison, Baboon Rock, Prairie Dog Village, a farmyard and the first reptile habitat.
1931 – Miniature railroad opens, donated by The Detroit News.
1932 – First chimpanzee show debuts, starring the famous Jo Mendi.
1933 – Zoo begins truck gardens to help alleviate Depression food shortages.

1933-34 – Civil Works Administration and Federal Emergency Relief Administration provide funds and manpower to build the hippopotamus house, beaver habitat and other animal habitats.
1935-37 – The federal WPA builds animal hospital and administration building and provides major landscaping. 

2000 – Amphibiville, home of the National Amphibian Conservation Center, opens in June.
2001 – Wild Adventure Ride, the nation’s first zoo simulator, opens in May.  Arctic Ring of Life, North America’s largest polar bear habitat, opens in October.
2001 – Madeleine Berman Academy for Humane Education is established.
2002 – Detroit Zoo receives the 2002 AZA National Exhibit Award for Amphibiville.
2004 – Ruth Roby Glancy Animal Health Complex is completed.
2005 – Ford Education Center opens.
2006 – Detroit Zoological Society assumes daily operations and financial management of Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo.
2006 – Australian Outback Adventure opens.
2008 – Detroit Zoo celebrates 80th anniversary.