Sedgwick County Zoo was established by the volunteer efforts of civic-minded citizens who formed the Sedgwick County Zoological Society in 1963, many years before the Zoo would take shape. They lobbied the Sedgwick County commissioners and through a petition succeeded in getting a bond referendum on the ballot. After it passed in 1966, the real work began. A visionary director, Ronald L. Blakely, presented a master plan that was approved in 1969 and construction began in earnest. When the American and Asian farms opened as the only exhibits in 1971, families were pleased, but they had little idea of the great things that were in store.
