Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens
# 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027
# 323-644-4200
About the Zoo
Nurturing Wildlife and Enriching the Human Experience
LionThe Los Angeles Zoo is owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles. From its opening in 1966 until 1997, the Zoo operated as a division of the City’s Recreation and Parks Department. On July 1, 1997, the Zoo became its own city department, with a clearer and direct voice to the City Council and more direct control over its operations.
The Mayor of the City of Los Angeles is Antonio R. Villaraigosa who began his first term on July 1, 2005. Located within the 4th City Council District, the Zoo is represented by Councilman Tom LaBonge. Since June, 2003, John Lewis has served as General Manager and Zoo Director. Mr. Lewis served as director of the John Ball Zoological Garden in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from 1986 until his appointment to the Los Angeles Zoo. Lewis has also served as president of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Board of Directors from 2001 to 2002.
The City of Los Angeles owns the entire Zoo, its land and facilities, and the animals. Animal care, grounds maintenance, construction, education, public information, and administrative staff are City employees.
The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) was created in 1963 as a private, nonprofit, fundraising organization to support the new Zoo. Today, GLAZA provides support through fundraising, membership, organizing special events and travel programs, producing award-winning publications, coordinating one of the largest zoo volunteer programs in the country, administering the contract for visitor services concessions within the Zoo, and supporting community relations, and public relations. GLAZA President Connie Morgan was appointed by the Board of Trustees in October 2002.
© Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association
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