The Sequoia Park Zoo is a zoo located in Eureka, California, operated by the City of Eureka. The zoo is part of a larger park complex including 60acres of mature second-growth coast redwood forest, Eureka's largest public playground, and a duck pond, in addition to meticulously kept formal and natural gardens. The gardens include many varieties of rhododendron. The zoo's mission is "to inspire wonder, understanding and respect for the natural world by providing fun, rewarding, educational experiences that encourage meaningful connections between animals, humans, and our environment". The zoo is open to the public daily, except in winter when it is closed on Mondays. The zoo houses about 200 vertebrates and hundreds of invertebrates, representing about 54 different species on 7acres.HistorySequoia Park Zoo was founded in 1907 and is the oldest zoo in California. The zoo is located on the land of the native tribe of the Wiyot people, who are a federally recognized tribe in California with over 600 members. The city of Eureka, where the zoo is located, is a city in Humboldt Bay, where the Wiyot tribe has lived for thousands of years. Since 1907, the zoo has housed an array of animals including baboons, African lions, camels, chimpanzees, tigers, polar bears, bison and other large hoof-stock, exotic birds, and small mammals. The zoo achieved accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in 1995. Since accreditation the zoo has prioritized conservation, including Species Survival Plan breeding programs and education programs. After 100 years of free entry, the zoo started charging admission in the summer of 2008. The zoo is partially supported by a foundation which operates a gift shop, cafe and zoo facility for rentals in addition to fundraising and community outreach.
