In 1904, the city received 50 acres (20 ha) of land from William and Anna Vilas under the conditions that it be used "for the uses and purposes of a public park and pleasure ground".[4] The park was named in honor of the Vilases' son, Henry, who died in 1899 at the age of 27 from complications related to diabetes. The family stipulated that the park always be admission-free. [citation needed]
By 1911, 28 acres (11 ha) of the park were partitioned into an animal exhibit, marking the creation of the zoo. The Madison Zoological and Aquarium Society was founded in 1914,[5] and in 1926 became the Henry Vilas Park Zoological Society, which continues today. In 1964, the society was incorporated as a non-profit corporation.
For the hundredth anniversary of the zoo, the society operated a Zoo Century campaign to support a $27 million redevelopment of the zoo over the next 10 years. Plans call for a new Arctic Passage exhibit and a redesigned Children's Zoo.[6] The Arctic Passage, which includes a major expansion that includes a new restaurant, and new enclosures for seals and returning grizzly and polar bears opened May 23, 2015.[7]
The zoo hosts an annual Zoo Run Run with a 5K-10K run/walk. The race starts and finishes in the zoo, and uses portions of the adjacent University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum.
The Henry Vilas Zoo is one of ten remaining free zoos in North America.[8][9] As an accredited AZA (Association of Zoos & Aquariums) zoo, their mission is to conserve and protect the wonders of the natural living world.
Controversy
In 2022, after the two only black zookeepers at the Zoo resigned in part due to perceived poor management, racism, and retaliation from management,[10] Dane County started an investigation into the practices of the zoo. The county found that the zoo created a toxic work environment, a lack of employees of color, inadequate welfare for animals, and management favoritism toward certain employees.[11]
The county then authorized an independent investigation.[12] This investigation found no evidence of a hostile work environment nor discrimination, but some evidence of isolated past issues with animal treatment.[13]
Notable incidents
In 2015, a woman was kicked in the face by a giraffe after climbing into the enclosure[14]
Animals and exhibits
The zoo houses amphibians, birds, fish, insects, mammals, and reptiles from several continents.[15][16]
Harmon, the zoo's Rhinoceros
Arctic Passage
Opened in 2015, the Arctic Passage features large, natural habitats for polar bears, grizzly bears and harbour seals. The polar bear and harbour seal exhibits have underwater viewing and there is a stream for the grizzly bears. The exhibit includes several sustainability features like solar panels, rainwater harvesting and an underground storage unit that saves over 2 million gallons of water.[17][18]
George Fait North American Prairie
The George Fait North American Prairie is a large yard home to the zoo's American bison. This area was also once home to prairie dogs, but then bad weather killed all of them.[19]
Wisconsin Heritage Trail
The Wisconsin Heritage Trail opened in 2016 and highlights Wisconsin's rich mining history. It has enclosures for American badgers and rescued sandhill cranes.
The zoo houses African lions and Amur tigers in enclosures simulating their natural habitats in the wild with features like heated rocks to keep them warm during winter.[20] Nearby is an enclosure for Indian crested porcupines.
