Here are some other obscure facts/fancies about Hogle Zoo:
Flavor burst ice cream cones are hands down the biggest concession seller, with approximately 80,000 sold each year.
Coca Cola is the top selling drink (regular, not diet.)
Plush toys are the most popular souvenirs. The most popular animal varies from year to year, but generally elephant, tiger and giraffe plush are among the favorites. Zoo jewelry is also popular.
The zoo's carousel offers about 320,000 rides each year.
What is one of the strangest questions zoo patrons ask? "We get quite a few different questions from folks, but people often ask if they can 'rent' animals and such for their house parties," said Holly Braithwaite, Zoo spokeswoman. "We do not do this, and encourage folks to come to the Zoo to enjoy the animals here on grounds."
Typically May and June are the months with the most visitors, depending on the weather. January logs the fewest.
Hogel Zoo was home for 24 years to one of the most rare animals in the world — Shasta, a "liger" whose father was an African lion and mother a tiger. She was born at the zoo May 14, 1948, and exhibited until near her death in 1972.
The Primate Building, built in 1966, originally held gorillas and orangutans. The two original gorillas, Dan and Elaine, arrived in 1967. They were named for Dan Valentine, popular Salt Lake newspaper columnist, and his wife. The Valentines were instrumental in raising the funds to obtain the gorillas. Elaine is still living at the Toledo Zoo.
In 1959 Kali, the Zoo's popular Asian elephant, received one vote for city mayor.
More than 19,000 volunteer hours help Hogle Zoo operate. There are 180 trained and active volunteers, with the oldest volunteer 88 and the youngest 14, The longest-tenured volunteer has served 32 years.
In a Deseret News article from 1965, primates were voted the favorite of all animals at the zoo. They are still among the favorites here and across the county 40 years later.
Hogle Zoo still offers free admission days a few times a year with its "Wild Wednesdays" program. The next free day will be Nov. 25. Three more free days will follow on the last Wednesday of the months, December through February.
— Lynn Arave