Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium - History

History

The zoo originally began in 1894 as Riverview Park Zoo. Four years later it had over 120 animals. In 1952, the Omaha Zoological Society was created with aims to improve the zoo. In 1963, Margaret Hitchcock Doorly donated $750,000 dollars. In doing so, she stipulated that the zoo be renamed in memory of her late husband, Henry Doorly, chairman of the World Publishing Company. Union Pacific helped the zoo lay down 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of track in 1968 with the inaugural run of the Omaha Zoo Railroad made on July 22, 1968.

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium has two rides that circumnavigate the zoo and a carousel. Opened in 2009, Skyfari, an aerial tram takes visitors from the Butterfly and Insect Pavilion to Elephants and Rhinos.

The zoo is adjacent to Rosenblatt Stadium. Since 2011, the Zoo is developing the land at former Rosenblatt Stadium to become the new parking area and visitor center.