The Henson Robinson Zoo is a private nonprofit

zoo A zoo (short for zoological garden; also called an animal park or menagerie) is a facility where animals are kept within enclosures for public exhibition and often bred for conservation purposes. The term ''zoological garden'' refers to zoology, ...

owned and operated by the Springfield Park District. The zoo was built in 1968–1970 on the eastern shore of

Lake Springfield Lake Springfield is a reservoir in the southeast of the capital city of Springfield, Illinois. It is above sea level. The lake was formed by building Spaulding Dam across Sugar Creek, a tributary of the Sangamon River. It is the largest munic ...

to serve the population of

Central Illinois Central Illinois is a region of the U.S. state of Illinois that consists of the entire central third of the state, divided from north to south. Also known as the ''Heart of Illinois'', it is characterized by small towns and mid-sized cities. Agri ...

, and opened in 1970. As of 2018, the zoo housed more than 300 animal specimens representing more than 80

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

. The zoo charges an admission fee. Two Toed Sloth at Henson Robinson Zoo

History

The Springfield Park District's Henson Robinson Zoo began as an advocacy act by contractor Henson C. Robinson of Springfield. In 1967, the Springfield City Council set aside and donated a tract of land to the Springfield Park District. Construction of the zoo began in 1968 and on August 29, 1970, the Henson Robinson Zoo was officially opened on land owned by the Park District. Over the years, the zoo has grown and expanded with the addition of several new animals as well as exhibits. The zoo is now home to animal native to Australia, Africa, Asia and North and South America. Over 80 species of native and exotic animals are housed amongst their naturalistic exhibits. Red Wolf at Henson Robinson Zoo

Current status

Since 2019, staff began rewriting the zoo's master plan. The new plan will maintain the zoo's membership in and compliance with the American Species Survival Plan, the endangered-species-oriented operating plan that governs most U.S. professional zoos. The Survival Plan urges zoos to concentrate on the creation and maintenance of socially healthy groups of geographically separated animals so that they can breed and perpetuate their genetic heritage without inbreeding. Red Tailed Hawk at Henson Robinson Zoo

Education

The Zoo's 501-c-3 arm, the Springfield Zoological Society, concentrates on juvenile outreach, with a particular emphasis on

social media Social media are interactive technologies that facilitate the Content creation, creation, information exchange, sharing and news aggregator, aggregation of Content (media), content (such as ideas, interests, and other forms of expression) amongs ...

and school-group activities and visits. The Zoo conducts frequent consultations with Springfield's School District #186 in the teaching of conservation and biology through hands-on animal experiences. African penguin at Henson Robinson Zoo

Events

* Dr. Dolittle Day This annual spring event has an emphasis on the diverse specializations required in

veterinary care Veterinary medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, management, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, disorder, and injury in non-human animals. The scope of veterinary medicine is wide, covering all animal species, both ...

. Temporary veterinary clinics provide education on everything from surgery to preventive care to radiology on site while keeper chats, farrier demonstrations, and animal encounters provide more interaction. North American River Otter at Henson Robinson Zoo

North American River Otter at Henson Robinson Zoo

* Fur Feather Fin Fall Fling As the Zoo's ‘last blast of the season,’ the late-September Fling is focused on educating visitors on the changes animals make to prepare for cold weather. Wallaroo at Henson Robinson Zoo

* Winterland Holiday Zoo Lights The Zoo is transformed for the holiday season with lights, food vendors, visits with Santa Claus, and photo booths. Henson Robinson Zoo Playground

Notes

External links

* * {{authority control Buildings and structures in Springfield, Illinois Tourist attractions in Springfield, Illinois Zoos established in 1970 Zoos in Illinois 1970 establishments in Illinois