The old zoo was established in 1903 as part of the project landscape architectCarlos Thays, who was also commissioned the design of the then West Park. Construction began the following year, during the government of Emilio Civit. The initial location of the project was to address the current school-home Eva Perón. There he built a building that would be used as a cage for lions. Ponds and roads were also built later. The first animals arrived on May 18, 1903 donated by the city of Buenos Aires. The group included a zebu, 6 dogs, 6 guinea pigs, and many rabbits. New animals came in 1905 while construction work continued. This time, joined a lion, a bear, two monkeys, a chimpanzee, two parrots, and a blue jay. In 1939 he commissioned architect Daniel Ramos Correa relocation of the zoo. He devised an ambitious project to place it on the northeast slope of Cerro de la Gloria. Taking inspiration from various zoos around the world, the architect designed semi open enclosures that simulate natural habitats and enough space for animals, without bars or cages, just with different levels and building stone walls of the curvature of the hill. This never became fully effective, as during the construction itself included certain dangerous animals cages. The zoo was officially opened in 1941, covering and including of paths and roads. Mendoza Zoological Park received a great deal of attention from animal lovers, activists and ordinary people around the world when the zoo's only polar bear 'Arturo' – known as the world's saddest polar bear – dies on July, 2016, despite many attempts to free and relocate the bear to Canada. The zoo declined. On November 3 of 2016 the zoo lost a now famous court case regarding chimpanzee Cecilia. The zoo was condemned for confining the animal to an unsuitable cage. Judge María Alejandra Mauricio granted Cecilia the status of 'legal person'. Since this was the first time an animal was granted this status, it caught the attention of biologist, philosopher, politicians and judges worldwide. Cecelia was send to a shelter for great apes. The Zoo is now closed in 2019
