Pampas and Penguins: the New Santa Ana Zoo

Officials hope to transform the Santa Ana Zoo into a diverse collection of South American habitats filled with native animals. Visitors would walk through a rain forest inhabited by monkeys or view penguins along a seashore. Core exhibits would be phased in over the next 10 years, then a long-range plan would expand on the themes established.

1. Desert Shoreline in Patagonia

Magellanic penguins would be the stars of this spotlight on the southern Patagonia region of South America, which is largely desert and stretches from the Andes to the Atlantic. An interpretive center would offer underwater viewing.

2. Prairies, Scrublands and Chaparral

A giant anteater is one of the large animals that would be displayed in this focus on the prairie-like pampas, the partly forested scrublands and chaparral areas of South America. A walk-through aviary would hold birds.

3. Lowland Rain Forest

Primates, bears, toucans and spotted cats--including ocelots--would all inhabit the first portion of what would become a miniature rain forest. Long-range plans include a distinctive, walk-through glass enclosure housing butterflies and hummingbirds, and a river-flooded rain forest region where manatees play.

Opening Day

According to a 10-year plan, new exhibits will be built in phases in unused areas of the zoo, then expanded following a long-term plan. The first new zoo exhibit, “Amazon’s Edge,” should open by spring 1993.

Domestic Versus Wild

The planned “South American Village” would allow children to compare wild animals with their domesticated cousins.

Source: Santa Ana Zoo Master Development Plan