The Bronx Zoo Trivia Quiz

Answer: New York Zoological Society

The two founders of the NY Zoological Society who gave the most time and energy were Andrew H. Green (known as Father of Greater New York City) and Henry Fairfield Osborn (Columbia University Professor and Curator of Museum of Natural History in NYC). President Teddy Roosevelt was also involved with getting the zoo started. Mr. Osborn's son Fairfield later became head of the society. Fairfield also wrote on conservation, and helped create the Jackson Hole Wildlife Park in Wyoming, which is now part of Grand Teton National Park.

In the 1950s, the society sponsored many wildlife surveys in Africa and Asia, including the seminal study of mountain gorillas by preeminent field biologist George Schaller.

William Conway headed the society from 1962 until 1992 when the name changed to the current Wildlife Conservation Society. Having been a field biologist in Patagonia, he promoted breeding of endangered species and zoo exhibits which could teach visitors more about natural habitats.

Answer: William Hornaday

Mr. Hornaday was director of the Bronx Zoo for thirty years and during this time he did a direct mail service of wildlife conditions from all around the United States. He then publicized his findings, which noted the decline of birds and mammals, in the organizations yearly report.

In 1897, he sent field researcher Andrew Stone to Alaska to survey wildlife conditions and fought for new laws protecting wildlife.

In 1905, he began work to reintroduce the bison to the wild and in 1907, he sent fifteen bison from the Bronx Zoo to a preserve in Wichita, Kansas. Hornaday first became interested in the plight of the bison when as head taxidermist for the Smithsonian Institute he was sent to collect some remaining live bison. This was so that the taxidermists who were preparing bison for displays would have accurate models to go by.

William Beebe was the first curator of birds at the Bronx Zoo. He created and ran the society's Department of Tropical Research until he retired in 1948. In the Bathysphere Mr. Beebe was the first to see the ocean floor a half mile down off of Bermuda.

Archie Carr III has worked with the WCS and was a driving force to establish the Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary in the Central American country of Belize. Mr. Carr and his former protégé, now colleague, A.R. Rabinowitz have been in contact with the Belizean government due to the importance of this area for the survival of jaguars. Much of the hands on work in Belize was done by Mr. Rabinowitz, who had been sent there at the request of Carr to do a study.

Archie Carr Jr. was also an eminent zoologist who worked in Belize to set up habitats for monitor sea turtles. Archie Carr Jr. also taught a community ecology course at the University of Florida, which many students went out of their way to take.

Answer: November 8th, 1899

The land where the zoo now sits was set aside in 1880s by New York state. Some of the set aside land became the neighboring Bronx Botanical Garden and the two attractions are currently separated by Pelham Parkway. Some of the funds for construction and yearly upkeep for the zoo came from New York City, but the majority of money for the zoo came from private donors.

Answer: 22

The designers of the original buildings were the firm of Heins & Laforge, and the buildings were done in the Beaux Arts Pavilion style. The buildings were based around what is now Astor Court. The Bronx Zoo had twenty-two exhibits and eight-hundred and forty-three animals on opening day which included twenty acres for bison to roam. On opening day some of the other attractions included the Elephant House, Cat House and Monkey House.

Many of the older buildings have animal sculptures carved into them including the Reptile house (1899), Main Bird House (1901), Monkey House (1901), south side of the Elephant House (now known as Zoo Center 1907-1908), Zebra House (1911), and Lion House (1902-1903).

The original entrance to the parking lot near Astor Court, originally named Baird Court, is through the bronze Rainey Memorial Gate, which was sculpted by Paul Manship with numerous animals adorning it. The gate was added in 1934.

The (William) Rockefeller Fountain, crafted in 1872 by Biagio Catella, can be found in the Astor Court parking lot and was given to the zoo in 1910. The fountain was given landmark status by New York City in 1968

To be able to park in this area you have to get there very early. But it is easy to view this area, which is not a long walk from the bison and sea lion attractions.

Answer: Snow Leopard

As of 2006, there were over four thousand animals, including a rescued snow leopard cub named Leo, who was found in Pakistan after his mother died in a landslide and sister soon after. Leo will be used for mating then returned to wild. Approximately two million visitors come to the Bronx Zoo each year.

Answer: 265

The exhibits are in natural settings, with large spaces for roaming, and some having non-flowing streams. There are many large indoor exhibits on the grounds which include Madagascar, The World of Birds, World of Darkness and JungleWorld. Large separated outdoor exhibits include The Congo, Tiger Mountain and monorail.

Answer: Wildlife Conservation Society

The WCS mandate is advance wildlife, promote the study of zoology, and create a first class zoological park.

As of 2008 Dr. William Sanderson is the current President and Chief Executive Officer for the WCS.

The WCS not only oversees the Bronx Zoo but also the, Central Park Zoo (since 1988), Queens Zoo (Since 1993), Prospect Park Zoo (since 1992) and New York Aquarium (since 1902). Prospect Park Zoo is in Brooklyn. The Queens Zoo is in Queens and the Central Park Zoo is located in Manhattan. The New York Aquarium was originally located in the Battery Park section of Manhattan but is now located in Coney Island, Brooklyn.

Answer: Madagascar

Madagascar opened in June of 2008. It had a variety of animals found in Madagascar, including Nile crocodiles, many species of lemurs, fossas and Madagascar hissing cockroaches. The exhibit is all indoors and is housed in the original Lion House. Lion heads can still be seen carved into the stone of the building. The house was also renovated to include eco-friendly restrooms.

Answer: Tiger Mountain

There are two separated viewing areas within Tiger Mountain, one of which contains a pool that is up against the glass for visitors to look through. The other area is more wooded. Due to the size of the exhibit and cover provided you can't always see any tigers from the viewing stations.

As you leave the viewing stations on your way back to the main path, you go through various displays, educational materials and videos. All of which tell of the current situation for the tigers, their natural habitat and dangers they face from hunters.

Answer: Wild Asia

The monorail is also known as the Bengali Express.

Different animals you can see during this ride are elephants, rhinos, various species of deer, gaur, red pandas and tigers. All of the animals seen on this ride are found on the Asian continent.

All during the ride a guide gives information about the animals in the areas the monorail is approaching, and where the animals might be seen, if at all in the large areas. Information is also given about the layout of the areas, such as wooden blinds near the tiger area that are also found in areas of India where tigers live. One can also learn the importance of mud wallows to rhinos.

Answer: Yes

There are two areas where visitors can board the shuttle; they are near Wild Asia and next to the Southern Boulevard entrance, which is also the one for parking lot C. Stops along the way also include the Congo and bison exhibits. The bison exhibit stop is near both parking lot B and the Astor Court parking lot.

Answer: Wild Asia

First opened in 1973 the Skyfari tram takes visitors from one side of the Bronx Zoo to the other at a height of over 100 feet above the park. Through the windows of the gondolas those visitors riding the Skyfari get a bird's eye view of the exhibits below as they cross the park.

In July of 2008, a mechanical failure, combined with winds caused dozens of people to be trapped for up to five hours in the Skyfari gondolas above the zoo. The cause of the failure was under investigation and the Skyfari reopened three weeks later. This was the first malfunction of the Skyfari in the thirty-five years of use.

Answer: Yes

You can also purchase a funnel cake in this area, located near the brown bears. Soft served ice cream is also sold there and the two make a less then healthy but extremely good combination. There are concession stands, carts, gift shops and eating areas found all around the park.

The main gift shop is centrally located near the largest eating area which is the Crane Café. The Crane Café has indoor and outdoor eating areas which overlook a pond with a wooden bridge.

Answer: Fordham University

The WCS in co-operation with nearby Fordham University has established a thirty-six credit Master of Science degree program. The degree will focus on conservation and life science education. A state teacher certification in biology for high schools can be worked on with these courses.

Courses will be held at both the University and Bronx Zoo, with field experience being taught at the zoo by scientists and educators.

Answer: You could have done all of these

You could have done all of these things at the Bronx Zoo during the "Holiday Lights" festival. There were over 500,000 lights which were used every year for over one-hundred fifty lighted sculptures. Starting from the entrance from parking lot B off of the Bronx River Parkway visitors followed a path filled with lighted sculptures, many of them were various animals found at the zoo, and some included motion. The lighted sculptures around the Butterfly Garden were based around popular children's themes each year which have included one based on "Narnia".

A more in depth quiz on this holiday extravaganza is planned for the future.

While researching this quiz I learned a disheartening fact. In an effort to be greener the zoo had chosen to do away with the nighttime "Holiday Lights" and do different styled daytime holiday events.