A South Coast zoo has announced plans for an event to honor the life and legacy of its very first director. The Santa Barbara Zoo will hold a community celebration for Ted McToldridge on April 29th, at 4 p.m.
He died last month, at the age of 92.
McToldridge was the zoo’s very first employee, hired in 1964. In the early days, he built some of the zoo’s facilities, maintained the zoo grounds, and even helped care for the animals.
McToldridge oversaw the zoo’s growth for years. He led it for more than 30 years before retiring in 1997.
The 30-acre zoo now has more than 500 animals, and is internationally known for its work in animal conservation programs.
