zoo home park home zoo newsletters videos live cams zoo postcards About the San Diego Zoo Financial Report Press Information Board of Trustees Contact Us The San Diego Zoo is a not-for-profit organization that operates the San Diego Zoo , the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park , and San Diego Zoo's Institute for Conservation Research . The Zoo was founded on October 2, 1916, by Harry M . Wegeforth , M.D . It currently has a 12-member Board of Trustees headed by Berit Durler Douglas G . Myers is the Zoo's executive . director The San Diego Zoo is the largest zoological membership association in the world , with more than 250,000 member households and 130,000 child memberships , representing more than a half million people . Members enjoy free admission to the Zoo and the Wild Animal Park , a subscription to the monthly magazine ZOONOOZ and other benefits . Both Zoo and Park are open every day of the . year Mission Statement The San Diego Zoo is a conservation , education , and recreation organization dedicated to the reproduction , protection , and exhibition of animals , plants , and their . habitats San Diego Zoo The 100-acre 40-hectare Zoo is home to over 4,000 rare and endangered