Take a look back at 50 years of Wonderfully Wild history as we celebrate our Golden Anniversary as an acclaimed desert conservancy, environmental advocate, educational institution, wildlife reserve, endangered species champion, nature park, and visitor destination. By following our hearts and vision, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens has evolved into an internationally respected organization which proudly represents the Coachella Valley and its beautiful splendor to the rest of the world. Thank you for joining us on this journey’s past, present, and future.
Founded by a group of forward-thinking leaders including trustees of Palm Springs Desert Museum (now the Palm Springs Art Museum)
Karen Sausman hired as resident naturalist; Became first President/CEO; Served the organization for 40 years
Administration building, gift shop, and theater were dedicated
Kit fox, Twix, arrived and soon became ambassador and logo inspiration
First admission charged: Adults 50¢ Children FREE
Constructed Zoo facilities, bighorn sheep habitat, mammal & reptile building, small animal habitat, and walk-thru aviaries
Foxpaws became the official membership newsletter
Developed Mojave Garden as a replica Mojave Desert landscape
Boy Scouts helped clear the inaugural 3-mile nature trail
Rejuvenated existing oasis garden, labeled plants with names and details
Grew from an interpretive nature trail and preserve to a Zoo and Botanical Garden
Expanded to 1,200 acres; preserved 1,000 acres in their natural state
1980’s
Operated with an annual budget exceeding $1 million and 12 full-time staff members
Incorporated as an independent, non-profit entity
Hosted first annual Concert on the Green presenting Bob Crosby & his Orchestra featuring The Bobcats
Expanded facilities including new education center, community recycling center, veterinary clinic, and greenhouse
Featured live music with Jazzoo Evenings
Expanded conservation, preservation, and aid to endangered species by hosting 5 slender-horned gazelles
Expanded participation in the Species Survival Plan with Arabian oryx, Grevy’s zebra, and bighorn sheep
Became an accredited member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, now known as Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
Hosted Steve Chase Office Opening & Gala Fundraiser
Dr. Jane Goodall attended Celebrity Forum and other zoo events
Held the Zoo’s first annual Earth Day celebration
1990’s
Opened Eagle Canyon, home to mountain lions, Mexican wolves, javelinas, bobcats, badgers, and various birds
Launched seasonal events: Howl-o-Ween, Eggstravaganza, and WildLights (featuring a G-scale model trains display)
Opened the popular Meerkat Café
Celebrated the Zoo’s 25th Anniversary
Welcomed meerkats, addax, cheetah, warthog, cinereous vulture, and Waldraap ibis
Walt Disney animation artists studied and sketched the Zoo's meerkats for 1994 "The Lion King" movie
Premiered daily Wild Wonders shows in newly built amphitheater
Designed the East African Garden, Palms of the World Garden, and The Demonstration Garden
Opened Village WaTuTu including events center and habitats showcasing striped hyenas, weaverbirds, camels, ankole cattle, and Nigerian dwarf goats
Contributed to the Grevy's zebra endangered species population with birth of a new foal
2000’s
Hosted the World Zoo Organization international conference for zoo directors as the first USA host in 25 years
Completed the Madagascar Garden modeled after the richly diverse flora of the African island
Model trains started running as a permanent year-round attraction
Welcomed reticulated giraffes & ostriches
Opened the Tennity Wildlife Hospital & Conservation Center and Gecko Gulch, a one-acre interactive children’s play park and picnic area
Original butterfly & hummingbird pavilion opened
Opened Amazing Amphibians: Frogs On The Edge, an exhibit of frogs, toads and salamanders, dedicated to raising awareness about the endangerment of amphibians
Longtime president & CEO Karen Sausman retired after 40 years of service; Stacey Johnson joined as new President/CEO
Opened the Steve Chase Administration Building, including an exquisite collection of California landscape paintings
Opened the Endangered Species Carousel
Started the seasonal Brew at the Zoo event
Began the annual Mojave Maxine Emergence Contest, engaging K-12 students throughout nine Southern California counties
Debuted Zoorassic Park show promoting education about extinction and conservation
Expanded Pride of the Desert $34 million capital campaign
Celebrated grand opening of new entrance (Crossroads of Conservation, Phase 1)
Accepted into the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), as one of only 9 AZA members
Named lead for AZA’s Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program for the endangered vaquita
Established the Desert Carnivore Conservation Center dedicated to the sustainability of small desert animals
Celebrated the healthy birth of 6 African wild dog puppies
Named to Conde Nast Traveler's list of 10 Best Zoos in the USA
Awarded 2019 Platinum Seal of Transparency by GuideStar for non-profit fiscal responsibility
Awarded USA Today’s 10BEST Readers’ Choice Travel Award for Best Zoo Lights
2020’s
President/CEO Allen Monroe leads the Zoo’s 2020 vision for the future
Australian Adventures to open March 2020 with Bennett’s wallaby, rock wallaby, bettong, Echidna, budgie, emu, blue-tongued skink, bearded dragon and kookaburra
Anticipated opening of habitats for Rhinos and other African species (Crossroads of Conservation, Phase 2)
Expected opening of the Lion Savannah and Special Event Center (Crossroads of Conservation, Phase 3)
