The Sequoia Park Zoo

            One of Humboldt County’s crown jewels is the Sequoia Park Zoo. Founded in 1907, it is the oldest zoo in California and the smallest accredited zoo in the nation.

            In 1894, the land that became Sequoia Park (first called Forest Park) came from the Glatts, a couple determined to preserve some of our magnificent redwoods within Eureka. The early extension of the city’s trolley line to what was then the southern fringe of Eureka helped make the zoo and park easily reached attractions for family outings.

            In its early years, the zoo was largely open land with fenced paddocks for native animals such as deer and elk. Gradually more exotic animals were introduced, much to the delight of Humboldt’s somewhat isolated public.

            Over the years this has included bears, lions (one named Leo, naturally) buffalo, various primates and flamboyant birds, and even a tiger. A camel was flown here from Oregon apparently causing the pilot considerable trouble.

            Some zoo denizens had been injured in the wild and came here as rescues, some were retired from circuses, and some were wild animal “pets” who proved too much for their owners.

One of the zoo’s most celebrated figures was Bill the Chimp. He had become too rambunctious for the Polack Bros. traveling circus and was offered for sale to the city. A fund drive among county school children raised $350, and in July 1957 he was welcomed to the zoo with bands, speeches and the mayor of Eureka presenting him with a key to the city – a key shaped cookie. During his 50 years at the zoo, Bill was a favorite with visitors, and his finger paintings were hot sellers at the gift shop.

            Six years later another chimp, Ziggy, moved into an adjacent cage. The two boy chimps apparently never got along, although both liked painting and smoking an occasional cigarette. One visitor did get arrested for slipping Ziggy a joint.

            Today, the zoo, its gift shop, café and programs continue to be Humboldt favorites. The red pandas (including one notorious escape artist) are big hits, as are the cavorting otters and noisy flamingoes. And the barn yard petting zoo is a great place for kids.

            Now the zoo has exciting new things, including a canopy walk among the adjacent redwoods. And here I’d like to put in a plug for the return of the prairie dogs, a favorite of many. But who knows, for over a century, there’s always been something new at the zoo.