The Los Angeles Zoo - Coursework Example

Lecturer: The Los Angeles Zoo Introduction The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Los Angeles, California. The Zoo has been a favorite spot for children, as well as adults. Founded in the year 1966 on a 133-acre piece of land the City of Los Angeles in California boasts of a well-maintained Zoo and Botanical gardens. The city of Los Angeles owns the zoo, its lands, facilities, and animals. By visiting the Zoo, individuals get an opportunity to sample various products. Families may get a chance to organize private events at the zoo (Los Angeles Zoo). Children, as well as adults get an opportunity to celebrate birthdays at the zoo and those who reside outside the city have a chance to travel and sample what Los Angeles has to offer. The city of Los Angeles has been able for decades to manage zoo’s operation using various diverse strategies. Through its ticketing program, the management team of the zoo has been able to maintain facilities at the Zoo, ensure good animal husbandry practices, ensure the maintenance of its grounds, and financed construction programs. Through the years, it has become evident that the Zoo has been able to run educational programs for children, as well as adults. The zoo through its public information channel has been able to reach out to masses. The management team has done this activity through promotions and in support of various activities. Such activities include supporting capital projects, volunteer projects, as well as instituting donation programs for the Zoo (Los Angeles Zoo). History of the Zoo The Los Angeles Zoo has been in operation for a long time. The Zoo began its operation in the year 1912 under the name Griffith Park Zoo. When one stands at the new zoo, the former Zoo stands approximately 3.2 kilometers to the south. The zoo became active from the period of 1912 to August of 1966 when it was closed. However, from any vantage point in the zoo one can be able to recognize some of the features of the past zoo. One might ask why the former zoo was put on halt. One does not need to ponder on that topic a lot since zoo instructors are able to provide adequate information on it. According to information from the Zoo, the previous premise had to be closed since by 1990s, its infrastructure was deteriorating. It was in the year 1992 that a pipe burst in the Zoo left all animals and plants without water. In response to this eventuality, city officials drafted a plan and provided $300 million to fund Zoo’s programs (Los Angeles Zoo). Despite all of these efforts, the Zoo lost its license in the year 1995 on grounds of its deplorable conditions. However, under new management and with a change in environment, Los Angeles zoo became prominent among children and adults alike. Through the leadership of the mayor of Los Angeles, the zoo has maintained a profitability margin, as well as provides quality services to citizens. The current Zoo’s management team comprise of Tom LaBonge and John lewis. Tom LaBonge a council member has been effective in the management of the zoo operation since june 2003. Tom lewis on the other hand, has been an important figure in the management of the Zoo’s operations. Lewis serves as the Zoo’s General Manager and director. In response to poor performance of the Zoo, the management team initiated a program where an association was formed to supports Los Angeles Zoo programs. The Association with the name GLAZA, came into operation in the year 1963. As a nonprofit organization, GLANZA has been important in assisting the Zoo run various activities. Currently, the organization provides tremendous support to the zoo in terms of organizing fundraising activities, membership, and organization of special events, provision of publications and in organizing volunteering programs (Los Angeles Zoo). GLANZA under the leadership of Connie Morgan on the other hand, provides support to public relations programs, offer support in administration of visitors’ connections and in maintaining public relations. Philosophy of Los Angeles Zoo The philosophy of Los Angeles Zoo laid emphasis on diverse aspects of the organization. Its philosophy relates to policy, animal husbandry practices, membership, and its interaction with the public, conservation efforts and on education (Los Angeles Zoo). In relation to visits made at the park, it is comes out clear children tend to visit the park frequently. Although these children come with their parents, adults seem not to be interested in what the Zoo offers unlike children. Adults would rather enjoy their holidays and weekends drinking or watching their favorite sports. Children at the park are more inquisitive and probe largely. According to the zoo’s policies, it is understood that man has evolved to be the head of all other species. Therefore, it is the responsibility of all humans to preserve the animal Kingdom. Based on this assumption, management teams at Los Angeles zoo ensure that all people respect animal rights and welfare. The Zoo has been able to promote this virtue by way of educating adults, as well as children on animal welfare and conservancy (Los Angeles Zoo). It is also part of Los Angeles’ Zoo philosophy, to ensure that all animals at the zoo enjoy their natural habitat. The organization fulfills this promise by way of creating conditions necessary for several species to thrive. The Breeding policy of late has become part of the Zoo. Through this policy, the Zoo’s management teams have been able to maintain proper breeding techniques that ensure less incidences of animal inbreeding. As part of the plan, the organization with zeal always introduces new bloodlines to ensure that cases of inbreeding are less. This and other practices in relation to breeding have made tremendous influence on the birth rates at the Zoo (Los Angeles Zoo). In other cases, breeding can be a hard task since it is rare to find other animals around the region. In response to this challenge, policy makers at Los Angeles Zoo have made it possible for artificial insemination to take place. Perhaps being the first of its kind, Los Angeles has instituted Artificial Insemination programs on various birds and primates. If such programs become a success then humans will have answered the possibility of endangered species. As part of its philosophy, the Zoo introduced a “No Feeding” policy. This policy ensures that animals in the Zoo do not consume foreign foods or objects (Los Angeles Zoo). For years, this policy has been important in ensuring that the animals maintain a balanced diet as well as remain healthy. Foreign particles and unsuitable foods may result in food poisoning and death to animals. Further as parts of is policy, the Zoo ensures that its environments are antiseptically clean. The organization on the other hand has well equipped hospitals and practitioners who assist in treating as well as carry out surgical procedures on animals. The organization has a quarantine centre important in cases of isolating animals. Additionally as part of its philosophy, Los Angeles Zoo provides educational programs to children, youths, and adults. From these programs, the zoo has been able to encourage conservancy efforts on youths, as well as adults. Children on the other hand, have been seen to have increased their commitment in assisting with various efforts at the Zoo. Another very important policy for the organization relates to its interaction with the public. The Zoo through its website has been able to connect with members of the public through various platforms. Members of the public around the world can connect to the Zoo through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Animals and Plants at the Zoo Amphibians Visitors visiting the Zoo in Los Angeles have an opportunity to view different animals as well as plants. Visitors have a chance to study about Amphibians, invertebrates, birds, mammals, reptiles as well as enjoy the scenery of the botanical garden. Considering Amphibians; these species of animals range from frogs of small sizes to giant salamanders (Los Angeles Zoo). Amphibians in the animal kingdom have the ability to live land and spend time in the water to keep their skins moist and in periods of reproduction. Visitors at Los Angeles have the opportunity to view Somoran, Couch’s spade foot toads, and Golden Poison Dart and Vietnamese Mossy frogs. Birds In relation to birds, the Zoo offers a wide range of birds’ species for bird watchers, enthusiasts, and conservationists (Los Angeles Zoo). As part of its conservancy efforts, visitors are able to sample different species of Eagle bird species. The organization has been able to keep African Crowned Eagle, Bald Eagle, and Harpy Eagle. Other birds species present at the zoo includes the Sarus Crane, Lanner Falcon, African Fish Eagle, Common Barn Owl, the Goffins’s Cocktoo and other species. Invertebrates are animals without a backbone. These creatures are abundant all over the world and its inclusion in the Zoo means that the organization values the importance of invertebrates to the ecosystem. At the zoo, visiting individuals have an opportunity to understand the characteristics of the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach and the Desert Hairy Scorpion on display. Mammals Los Angeles Zoo moreover has different species of mammals on display. Mammals are important in the animal kingdom. This is because some of them are sources of food for humans; others are important in sustaining other animals as well as ensure a balance in the food chain. At the Zoo, individuals are able to view diverse species of such mammals. The Zoo takes credit in conservation of the African Hedgehog, Lion, African wild Dog, Alpine Goat, Asian Elephant, and the Bat- Eared Fox. Other mammal on display at the Zoo includes the Black Duiker, The American Black Bear, the Bongo, Chimpanzees, the Chinese Water Deer, Gorillas, and the Hippopotamus. The list of animals also includes the Sumatran Tiger, the Ocelot, Okapi, Red River Hog and many more. Reptiles Reptiles are unique creatures in the animal kingdom. Unlike other animals, which are warm-blooded, reptiles, are cold blooded. Unlike other species of animals that depend on their mothers for survival, reptiles are independent from the time of birth (Los Angeles Zoo). With more than 6500 species all over the world, reptiles have a place in the ecosystem. If one visits Los Angeles Zoo, they need to be sure that they would see at least one of the reptile species. The Zoo has the following species of reptiles: the Aldabra Toroise, American Alligator, Brabded Rock Rattle snake, Cottonmouth, California Kingsnake. Others include the Gaboon Viper, Fly River Turtle, Elongated Tortoise and the Giant Gecko. Other species of reptiles at the Zoo include the South American Bushmaster, Rosy Boa and the Sidewinder. Plants For lovers of plants and their species, Los Angeles’ zoo botanical garden would be the best place to visit. Visitors have a chance to enjoy flora and fauna at the botanical garden of the Zoo. The botanical garden at the zoo contains diverse species of flowers, trees, and herbal plants. Individual are able to enjoy facilities that include the Red Ape Rain forest (Los Angeles Zoo). This facility is a mesh enclosure depicting the Asian jungle at the zoo. The facility has various opening where guests are able to move through. The Zoo management has been creative enough to make this facility like a horizontal donut where guests pass through groups of bamboo, rubber trees as well as hibiscus plants. Apes in this facility can climb in motion through various artificial poles exhibiting their skills to guests. The botanical garden on the other hand, gives guests a chance to sample from around 15 different collections. With over 800 species of plants, guests have a chance to learn and explore different features of plants on offer. Conservation Efforts Los Angeles conservation efforts not only consist of physical efforts of the organization. The organization has for years, employed diverse methods of conservancy. These efforts transcend ages, policy, and other organizational requirements. Employee at the Zoo have had training on conservation, the organization’s policy promote conservation efforts. The zoo has been able to conserver the environment with the help of volunteers, guests, adults and children (Los Angeles Zoo). This has been done through offering training programs on conservancy to children, adults and the public. The first important aspect to the Conservation efforts of Los Angeles relates to their breeding program. The Zoo has been able to carry out successful breeding programs that have ensured that endangered breeds remain in the Zoo. It is also important to note that various organizations have been on the forefront in assisting the organization meet its conservation needs. These organizations include Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) and Cottlieb Animal Health and Conservancy Center. The purposes of GLAZA around Los Angeles are to nature wildlife as well as promote human interactions. The organization is responsible for providing funds to Zoo and other capital projects. The organization has been effective in its duties through providing support by organizing events, producing publications, as well as coordinating Zoo’s programs. Gottlieb Animal Health and Conservation Center on the other hand, provides support services to Zoos (Los Angeles Zoo). The organization has a restricted area where injured animals are brought for treatment. The facility contains state of the art intensive care system, an observation area, a surgical location and research facilities. The facility has been able to handle multiple cases and it handled over 800 cases in 2007 alone. As an opinion Zoo’s should not exists. Wild animals belong to the wild ‘period’. Zoos offer animals’ small area to maneuver. For example, how does an Elephant survive in an enclosed environment? While it naturally loves to conquer kilometers. A zoo even though assists in conservation it is also a violation of animal rights. Works Cited “Los Angeles Zoo &Botanical Gardens” Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association.2014.www.lazoo.org Read More