COVID update: Santa Ana Zoo has updated their hours and services. Go behind the scenes and feed the lemurs! Our colleague Tony Barboza explains: For decades, the family that gave the city the land for its small but popular zoo has kept tabs on the primate population. The Santa Ana Zoo now houses 59 monkeys from 16 species. Powell, 64, of Santa Ana, informed city officials last summer that he had dispatched "independent individuals" to run a head count of the zoo's primates, finding fewer than 50 monkeys at least five times. ", And, his attorney has cautioned, the family will not accept substitutes - "any form of lemurs or apes are not monkeys under any zoological definition.". Animals die unexpectedly and waiting periods for endangered species breeding programs can last years. Illustrates ZOO-MONKEYS (category a) by Tony Barboza (c) 2009, Los Angeles Times. Show Caption of The home site is now an Elks Lodge. Anything less and the city would lose the land. ", Monkeys count for something at Santa Ana Zoo, Two red-handed tamarins peer through their cage. "While we were dipping down below that number," Yamaguchi said, "we knew there were two in the oven.". Temporarily closed. - See 209 traveler reviews, 261 candid photos, and great deals for Santa Ana, CA, at Tripadvisor. But, lately, Santa Ana Zoo has fallen below the monkey line, and a descendant of city pioneer J.E. Designated as the “Home of the 50 Monkeys,” the Santa Ana Zoo is home to more than 260 animals, including giant anteaters, ocelots, several farm favorites and 60 of the most interesting and engaging primates, including the endangered golden lion tamarins. City officials say it's difficult to house the requisite number of monkeys. Then two weeks ago, Monty, 17, a male Capuchin monkey, died, bringing the total to 48. The monkey population was 48 until two golden lion tamarins were born Tuesday. They are part of a collection that includes howler monkeys, spider monkeys and a pygmy marmoset. The land at Prentice Park was donated by Joseph Edward Prentice on the condition that it house at least 50 monkeys … The monkey population was 48 until two golden lion tamarins were born Tuesday. Prentice, who gave 12 acres of land to the zoo and park in the 1940S. The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park in Santa Ana, California, is a 20-acre (8.1 ha) zoo focusing on the animals and plants of Central and South America. "You can't just go to Monkeys R Us or eBay to get monkeys," explains Kent Yamaguchi, interim director at the city zoo. The Santa Ana Zoo hosts more than 270,000 people annually. Santa Ana Zoo, known for its population of monkeys, will reopen with a new schedule – Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last admission at 4 p.m. City officials said they take the agreement seriously, boasting of more than 60 primates, many of which are monkeys. The Santa Ana Zoo is a local treasure located in Santa Ana, CA. Lone wolf's epic Calif. journey has taken yet another turn, The Amazon Lululemon leggings dupe are only $15, The best masks for people who wear glasses. The Santa Ana Zoo is as much a place for relaxing as for visiting the animals. The first roll call showed 50 monkeys, four species in all. Especially about a zoo. The Zoo is open daily from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Sure enough, the mother gave birth to two thumb-size babies Tuesday, bringing the population back to 50. I rode this Peloton competitor for 21 days. That was the unusual request made in 1952 by Joseph Prentice, the founder of the Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park. If not, the letter from his attorney read, "We plan to proceed with our rights under the grant deed to have the property revert back to Mr. Prentice's heirs.". In order for the Zoo to exist, Mr. Prentice required that there be … The zoo opened in 1953 in newly minted Prentice Park, not far from the Civic Center. Anything less and the city would lose the land. The Santa Ana Zoo is supposed to maintain 50 monkeys at all times, to stay true to a contract with J.E. The monkey population was 48 until two golden lion tamarins were born Tuesday. SANTA ANA, CA — The famed "50 monkey" zoo now has its very own Ferris Wheel to add a focal point to the much beloved park. Moved Friday, Jan. 23, 2009. Prentice has threatened to take back the 12 acres if the population isn't stabilized. (MUST CREDIT: Los Angeles Times photo by Christine Cotter.) This is a reference to the original founder's requirement that the zoo had to have at least 50 monkeys onsite at all times. Joseph Prentice donated land for the zoo with the stipulation that the city must keep at least 50 monkeys at all times, the zoo maintains an extensive primate collection with over a dozen species from around the world. Their “Boofari” Express Train, Conservation Carrousel and Fifty Monkey Ferris Wheel rides will be entertaining little ghouls and goblins all night long. The new Ferris Wheel has fifteen gondolas that can be loaded three at a time. Fifty monkeys. The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park is also known as "The Home of the 50 Monkeys". That was the unusual request made in 1952 by Joseph Prentice, the founder of the Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park. An unusual request made by Joseph Prentice, the founder of the Santa Ana Zoo, has made it so that since 1952 the zoo has had 50 monkeys at all times. Moved Friday, Jan. 23, 2009. Zoo Members and children under age 3 are also free. The deal was 50 monkeys. Credit: Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times. 18,447 likes. The Santa Ana Zoo is very proud of their primate collection, and must maintain at least fifty monkeys on the premises at all times... hence the name of the new ride. For decades, the family that gave the city the land for its small but popular zoo has kept tabs on the primate population. Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park: Monkey Zoo - See 209 traveler reviews, 360 candid photos, and great deals for Santa Ana, CA, at Tripadvisor. In November 2008, the zoo lost its oldest monkey, Geni, 35, a silver langur. But lately, the Santa Ana Zoo has fallen below the monkey line, and a descendant of city pioneer J.E. Calif. has lowest US positivity rate: Which states have highest? SANTA ANA, CA – The Santa Ana Zoo, “Home of the 50 Monkeys,” announced that it is open as an outdoor experience from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.Parking is free. 18K likes. Santa Ana Zoo has been known since it opened in 1952 as the “monkey zoo” after the local businessman who donated land for it stipulated the city must maintain at least 50 monkeys… I'm also of the opinion that it's a maxim invented and perpetuated by men. Illustrates ZOO-MONKEYS (category a) by Tony Barboza (c) 2009, Los Angeles Times. The Santa Ana Zoo is home to more than 150 animals, including 50 of the most entertaining and engaging monkeys, and several endangered species including the Golden Lion Tamarins and Black-and-White Ruffed Lemurs. Illustrates ZOO-MONKEYS (category a) by Tony Barboza (c) 2009, Los Angeles Times. Photo: An exotic silver langur at Santa Ana Zoo. For decades, the family that gave the city the land for its small but popular zoo has kept tabs on the primate population. Two red-handed tamarins peer through their cage. It has been said that Joseph ordered that for the zoo to exist, there must be “50 monkeys on the grounds at all times.” This request has been upheld, and even succeeded, in the decades to follow! Prentice - nicknamed the "Monkey Man" because of his fondness for primates - donated a 12-acre piece of property to the city in 1949 to establish a park and zoo. No, it's not the San Diego Zoo, but it's a great value for running the kids around." The Santa Ana Zoo, “Home of the 50 Monkeys,” is holding their 64th wild animal birthday celebration on Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6, on the Zoo grounds in Santa Ana from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. For the moment, Powell said he's satisfied, but intends to keep his eye on the zoo's "Monkey Row. Yet, once again, not about a zoo. For the Santa Ana Zoo, monkeys are a precious commodity -- and lemurs and apes just won't do. "He just wanted the children to enjoy the animals of the world, so we just want to make sure the city is living up to its end of the bargain.". "Populations of living things change, so certain things happen that you may not foresee because they're living, breathing things.". The 50 Monkeys ferris wheel at Santa Ana Zoo in Santa Ana on Thursday, August 13, 2020 hasn’t been used since the zoo closed in March but crews continue to … The zoo opened in 1952 and is owned and operated by the City of Santa Ana. They are part of a collection that includes howler monkeys, spider monkeys and a pygmy marmoset. A monkey cushion: that's one phrase we never expected to write! Activities: TEN Trick-or-Treat Stations throughout the Zoo providing a variety of toys, books, snacks, and candy on the Trick-or-Treat Trail - See 209 traveler reviews, 360 candid photos, and great deals for Santa Ana, CA, at Tripadvisor. Because Mr. Prentice, the property owner, made the city of Santa Ana promise to always keep at least 50 monkeys at the zoo, they are known for their monkeys. "He was an old man; he had no children," said Joseph Powell II, Prentice's great-nephew. Parking is free. Powell asked for proof that the city was living up to the accord. The Santa Ana Zoo, "Home of the 50 Monkeys," announced that it is open as an outdoor experience from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. An Orange County man who stole an endangered ring-tailed lemur from the Santa Ana Zoo actually had his heart set on a monkey when he entered the … A nice place to visit and you're finished in one afternoon. So what's a zoo to do? Santa Ana Zoo, Santa Ana, California. These primates, along with the other animals and activities, make the zoo an ideal family-friendly excursion for animal lovers. Santa Ana Zoo, Santa Ana, California. 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