When this zoo opened in 1972, it was in the forefront of thinking about how to best let animals and people interact, with animals in simulated natural habitats separated from humans by pits or moats. We like to think that this respectful approach has been a factor in the success of the zoo’s breeding programs, which include the first panda born by artificial insemination outside China and the third rhino born by artificial insemination in the world. The zoo is home to about 6,000 animals from 500 different species, and has a tropical marine aquarium.