Final plan of the Zoological Park approved by Park Board, November 22, 1897. Zoological Society assumed control of grounds, July 1, 1898. First building begun, August 11, 1898. Park formally opened to the public, November 9, 1899. Administration and Service Buildings 2 Large Animal Buildings (all heated) 14 Small Animal Buildings (4 heated) 10 Large Groups of Outdoor Dens, Aviaries and Corrals 13 Animal Storehouses, for winter use 3 Restaurants 2 Public-Comfort Buildings 6 Entrances 7 Area of Park Land and Water 264 acres Area of Water 30 acres Walks and Roads 7.78 miles Fences 10.55 miles
LIVE ANIMALS IN THE COLLECTIONS. January, 1915.
Mammals 204 species, 586 specimens. Birds 811 " 2,753 " Reptiles 164 " 1,014 " Total 1,179 4,353
Attendance of visitors in 1914 2,020,433 Total attendance of visitors from 1899 to Jan., 1915 19,325,590
MADISON GRANT, _Secretary_, 11 Wall Street. PERCY R. PYNE, _Treasurer_, 30 Pine Street.
Executive Committee MADISON GRANT, _Chairman_. PERCY R. PYNE, WATSON B. DICKERMAN, SAMUEL THORNE, WM. PIERSON HAMILTON, WILLIAM WHITE NILES, FRANK K. STURGIS, LISPENARD STEWART, HENRY FAIRFIELD OSBORN, _ex-officio_.
General Officers WILLIAM T. HORNADAY, _Director_ H. J. SHORTER _Assistant Secretary_ R. L. CERERO _Assistant to Treasurer_ DR. GEORGE S. HUNTINGTON _Prosector_ C. GRANT LA FARGE _Architect_ H. DeB. PARSONS _Consulting Engineer_ Officers of the Zoological Park. WILLIAM T. HORNADAY, Sc.D. _Director and General Curator._ H. R. MITCHELL _Chief Clerk and Disbursing Officer_ R. L. DITMARS _Curator of Reptiles, Asst. Curator of Mammals_ C. WILLIAM BEEBE _Curator of Birds_ LEE S. CRANDALL _Assistant Curator of Birds_ W. REID BLAIR, D.V.S. _Veterinarian_ H. W. MERKEL _Chief Forester and Constructor_ ELWIN R. SANBORN _Editor and Photographer_ GEORGE M. BEERBOWER _Civil Engineer_ WILLIAM MITCHELL _Cashier_
[Illustration: ITALIAN GARDEN, BAIRD COURT, The structure on the right is the Large Bird-House, and in the distance, the Lion House.]
Origin.--The New York Zoological Park originated with the New York Zoological Society, a scientific body incorporated in 1895, under a special charter granted by the Legislature of the State of New York. The declared objects of the Society are three in number--"A public Zoological Park; the preservation of our native animals; the promotion of zoology." The Society has enrolled among its various classes over 2,000 members.