T Oregon Z, formerly Washington P Z, miles (3 ) southwest downtown Portland, Oregon Portland's Washington P. I Oregon's largest p attraction, 1.4 million visitors yearly.

T located southern boundary Washington P nearby Portland Children's Museum, World Forestry Center, Oregon Vietnam Veterans Mrial, Hy Arboretum. A adjacent trail system connects International R T Garden, Portland Japanese Garden, Forest P.

T Oregon Z founded 1887, making oldest North American Mississippi. I began donation animal attraction outgrew place vacant beside pharmacy downtown Portland. T first where reservoirs Washington P . T collection g quickly—by 1894 there 300 animals. I 1925, moved present Portland Japanese Garden, moved again 1959 current . A years afterward, management given Metro, which continues expansion projects, aided y donors, sponsors volunteers, present.

Shortly after began, y p keeper ( keeper ) g p, possibly earliest sunken, barless exhibit world. Today, continues tradition: animal exhibits spacious natural -natural environments inhabitants—not cages y other . F example, exhibit g p aviary humans through. (A "airlock" sequential arrangement keeps residents .)

T became world famous 1962 Asian elephant "Packy" . H first elephant Western Hemisphere 44 years ( 2006) largest Asian elephant United States 10.5 (3.2 ) 13,500 (6,100 g). A total 27 calves Oregon Z, including 7 sired y Packy, making successful elephant breeding program world.

T thousand specimens representing hundred species, 21 which endangered. I 2003 began participation California condor recovery program started y S Diego W Animal P L Angeles Z. T program designed increase number condor extinction.