The San Diego Zoo

The Zoological Society of San Diego is a not-for-profit organization that operates the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoos Wild Animal Park, and the department of Conservation and Research for Endangered Species (CRES). The Society was founded on October 2, 1916, by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D. The 100-acre (40-hectare) Zoo is home to 4,000 rare and endangered animals representing more than 800 species and subspecies, and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 exotic plants. It is located just north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park. The Zoological Society of San Diego is a conservation, education, and recreation organization dedicated to the reproduction, protection, and exhibition of animals, plants, and their habitats.