Monkey Island: Difference between revisions

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'''Monkey Island''' was the first animal exhibit constructed for the [[Birmingham Zoo]] at [[Lane Park]]. It opened on [[April 2]], [[1955]] and was the brainchild of Mayor [[Jimmy Morgan]].
'''Monkey Island''' was the first animal exhibit constructed for the [[Birmingham Zoo]] at [[Lane Park]]. It opened on [[April 2]], [[1955]] and was the brainchild of Mayor [[Jimmy Morgan]].


Labor to construct the exhibit was donated by local unions and materials, such as slag for concrete aggregate, were donated by industries. The exhibit was built to resemble an island with rocky outcrops and was surrounded by a shallow pool of water. The interior of the structure is a heated room covered in glazed tiles that could be hosed down every evening. A tunnel connects the room to a building north of the exhibit.
Labor to construct the exhibit was donated by local unions and materials, such as slag for concrete aggregate, were donated by industries. The exhibit was built in a pit and made to resemble an island with rocky outcrops and was surrounded by a shallow pool of water. The interior of the structure is a heated room covered in glazed tiles that could be hosed down every evening. A tunnel connects the room to a building north of the exhibit.


In later years the exhibit was reconfigured as a habitat for alligators and snapping turtles, and later for waterfowl.  On [[September 25]]-[[September 26|26]], [[2009]], the zoo held a special event as they began dismantling the exhibit and gave visitors an opportunity to receive a piece of the rocks that made the outcrops.
In [[1999]], the spider monkeys inhabiting the exhibit were moved to the zoo's primate building.  The exhibit was subsequently reconfigured as a habitat for alligators and snapping turtles until [[2002]], at which time the alligators and turtles were moved out and a duck exhibit moved in.  The ducks were moved to the zoo's general pond in [[2009]], just prior to demolition of the exhibit.  On [[September 25]]-[[September 26|26]], [[2009]], the zoo held a special event as they dismantled the exhibit and gave visitors an opportunity to purchase a piece of the rocks that made the outcrops.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 13:28, 24 September 2009

Postcard view of Monkey Island

Monkey Island was the first animal exhibit constructed for the Birmingham Zoo at Lane Park. It opened on April 2, 1955 and was the brainchild of Mayor Jimmy Morgan.

Labor to construct the exhibit was donated by local unions and materials, such as slag for concrete aggregate, were donated by industries. The exhibit was built in a pit and made to resemble an island with rocky outcrops and was surrounded by a shallow pool of water. The interior of the structure is a heated room covered in glazed tiles that could be hosed down every evening. A tunnel connects the room to a building north of the exhibit.

In 1999, the spider monkeys inhabiting the exhibit were moved to the zoo's primate building. The exhibit was subsequently reconfigured as a habitat for alligators and snapping turtles until 2002, at which time the alligators and turtles were moved out and a duck exhibit moved in. The ducks were moved to the zoo's general pond in 2009, just prior to demolition of the exhibit. On September 25-26, 2009, the zoo held a special event as they dismantled the exhibit and gave visitors an opportunity to purchase a piece of the rocks that made the outcrops.

References

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