Santa Barbara Zoo, Oceanfront zoo in Santa Barbara, United States.
Santa Barbara Zoo covers 30 acres (12 ha) near the ocean in Santa Barbara, California, on the site of the former Child Estate. It houses more than 500 animals, including capybara and California condors, in exhibits such as African Plains, Australian Walkabout (opened 2022), Cats of Africa (opened 2003), The Forest's Edge (opened 1996), California Trails and the Crawford Family Penguin House (opened June 2006). A 2 ft narrow-gauge Zoo Train runs on the grounds.
The zoo opened in 1963 on land that was the private estate of the Child family, who donated the property to establish the facility. This gift became the foundation for what developed into an important conservation and education center.
The zoo's name comes from the Child Estate on which it was built. Its best-known resident was Gemina, a Baringo giraffe born at San Diego Zoo Safari Park in 1986 who developed a bend in her neck at age three and lived at the zoo until 2008. She appeared in the TV series Alias and Miracle Workers, and a character in Alias proposed in front of her.
The zoo is open daily and can be explored on foot, with pathways winding through the hilly grounds. Comfortable shoes are recommended since the terrain includes slopes, and visitors should set aside several hours to see the different sections thoroughly.
Gemina, a Baringo giraffe born at San Diego Zoo Safari Park in 1986, developed a bend in her neck at age three and became the zoo's best-known animal until her death in 2008. She appears in the TV series Alias, where a character proposes in front of "a giraffe with a crooked neck."
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