Zoological Society of San Diego
Encyclopedia
The Zoological Society of San Diego is a non-profit organization that operates the San Diego Zoo
, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and the Institute for Conservation Research. It was founded in 1916 under the leadership of Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth
.
The Zoological Society of San Diego claims the largest zoological society membership in the world, with more than 250,000 member households and 130,000 child memberships, representing more than a half million people. Society members enjoy free admission to the Zoo and the Safari Park, a subscription to the monthly magazine ZOONOOZ, and other benefits depending on their level of membership.
As of 2011 the Zoological Society of San Diego, the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research all operate under an umbrella organization called San Diego Zoo Global.
founded the Zoological Society of San Diego, meeting October 2, 1916, and initially following precedents set by the New York Zoological Society
at the Bronx Zoo
.
He gathered several like-minded men, including his brother Paul Wegeforth, several other physicians, Fred Baker, Joseph Thompson, and the naturalist Frank Stephens, who was associated with the San Diego Society of Natural History (later the San Diego Natural History Museum
). They became the founding directors of the Zoological Society of San Diego, with Harry Wegeforth serving as its founding president.
In 2000, the Society received a grant of $7.5m from the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. The grant helped to fund the construction of the Institute for Conservation Research (formerly the Center for the Reproduction of Endangered Species). The center is next to the Paul Harter Veterinary Medical Center which is located at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
In 2004 the Society received its largest ever individual donation, of $10m, from the estate of McDonald's
heiress Joan Kroc.
In 2009 the Zoological Society was named a "Rising Star in the field of Plant & Animal Science" by Thomson Reuters
.
San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, San Diego, California, is one of the most progressive zoos in the world, with over 4,000 animals of more than 800 species...
, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and the Institute for Conservation Research. It was founded in 1916 under the leadership of Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth
Harry M. Wegeforth
Harry Milton Wegeforth was a physician in San Diego who led the effort to create the San Diego Zoo in 1916, and served as president of the board of directors of the Zoological Society of San Diego from its founding until his death in 1941...
.
The Zoological Society of San Diego claims the largest zoological society membership in the world, with more than 250,000 member households and 130,000 child memberships, representing more than a half million people. Society members enjoy free admission to the Zoo and the Safari Park, a subscription to the monthly magazine ZOONOOZ, and other benefits depending on their level of membership.
As of 2011 the Zoological Society of San Diego, the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research all operate under an umbrella organization called San Diego Zoo Global.
History
Dr. Harry M. WegeforthHarry M. Wegeforth
Harry Milton Wegeforth was a physician in San Diego who led the effort to create the San Diego Zoo in 1916, and served as president of the board of directors of the Zoological Society of San Diego from its founding until his death in 1941...
founded the Zoological Society of San Diego, meeting October 2, 1916, and initially following precedents set by the New York Zoological Society
Wildlife Conservation Society
The Wildlife Conservation Society based at the Bronx Zoo was founded in 1895 as the New York Zoological Society and currently manages some of wild places around the world, with over 500 field conservation projects in 60 countries, and 200 scientists on staff...
at the Bronx Zoo
Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo is located in the Bronx borough of New York City, within Bronx Park. It is the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States, comprising of park lands and naturalistic habitats, through which the Bronx River flows....
.
He gathered several like-minded men, including his brother Paul Wegeforth, several other physicians, Fred Baker, Joseph Thompson, and the naturalist Frank Stephens, who was associated with the San Diego Society of Natural History (later the San Diego Natural History Museum
San Diego Natural History Museum
The San Diego Natural History Museum was founded in 1874 as the San Diego Society of Natural History. The present location of the museum in San Diego's Balboa Park was dedicated on January 14, 1933....
). They became the founding directors of the Zoological Society of San Diego, with Harry Wegeforth serving as its founding president.
Funding
The Society receives a four-star or "highly rated" evaluation from the Charity Navigator website, which reports that the Society spends 90.2% of its funds on operating its programs, 7.7% on administrative expenses, and 2.0% on fundraising.In 2000, the Society received a grant of $7.5m from the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. The grant helped to fund the construction of the Institute for Conservation Research (formerly the Center for the Reproduction of Endangered Species). The center is next to the Paul Harter Veterinary Medical Center which is located at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
In 2004 the Society received its largest ever individual donation, of $10m, from the estate of McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
heiress Joan Kroc.
In 2009 the Zoological Society was named a "Rising Star in the field of Plant & Animal Science" by Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters Corporation is a provider of information for the world's businesses and professionals and is created by the Thomson Corporation's purchase of Reuters Group on 17 April 2008. Thomson Reuters is headquartered at 3 Times Square, New York City, USA...
.