Attractions that opened while Lee Simmons was zoo director:
1970: Owen Sea Lion Pavilion
1977: Cat Complex
1981: Giraffe Complex
1983: Aviary
1987: Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Pavilion
1989: Durham’s Bear Canyon
1992: Lied Jungle, world’s largest indoor rain forest
1995: Walter and Suzanne Scott Aquarium
1997: Lozier IMAX Theater
1998: Garden of the Senses. Also, Simmons Safari Park near Ashland, Neb.
1999: Sue’s Wildlife Carousel
2001: Cheetah Valley
2002: Desert Dome
2003: Kingdoms of the Night
2004: Hubbard Gorilla Valley
2008: Berniece Grewcock Butterfly and Insect Pavilion
2009: Skyfari aerial tram
Attendance milestones
Increased from about 270,000 in 1970 to an expected 1.4 million visitors for 2009.
Exceeded 1 million every year since the Lied Jungle opened in 1992.
Record of 1,602,831 visitors set in 1995, year the Scott Aquarium opened.
SOURCE: Henry Doorly Zoo
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