Abandoned L.A. Zoo

[@itrthho]

The first zoo, called the Griffith Park Zoo, opened in 1912 and was located about two miles (3.2 km) south of the current zoo site until it was closed in August 1966. Remnants of the original zoo remain. The site of the current zoo was formerly the location of Rodger Young Village, which was itself built on the land which had been used for the Griffith Park Aerodrome. The zoo opened in its present location in November 1966

[@robertf4540]

Crazy! I remember going there as a kid. Love your old videos! Safe travels!

[@nunnaurbiznez8815]

Harambe didn't kill the toddler, he actually was playing as he would with a young gorilla. According to behaviorists, killing Harambe was not necessary because he could have been distracted with food or a favorite toy while a brave person got the kid out. If the mother had been watching her kid it would never have happened.

[@AbleHammer]

Totally agree. I didn’t think Harambe killed the infant. Was about to look it up

[@kencraig7308]

Hi wonderhussy. Back in the early 80s we would ride our enduros up that path at night and go up to the youth camp up on top of the hill and drink suds. Guess they still allow you in there, it was a lot more primitive back when we hung out there. Thanks for the memories ✌️

[@zantigar]

You are a genius! That last line was a howl and a half, the perfect capper for a rather depressing tour. You have such a lively mind, you suddenly woke me up and I was laughing off the chair!.

[@larrystevenson1048]

The old zoo opened in 1912 and closed in 1966. Those old enclosures for the animals are no longer used. They try to provide more natural habitats now.

[@lexistapleton6691]

I'm not able to explore like I used to but thankfully it kind of feels like it watching your vids. I luv the outdoors.

[@MrZ4X5C6V7]

There is a ZOO somewhere , where the people ride thru the Zoo in a large bus and the wild animals run free around and outside the bus. It works well, except for the large monkeys and other primates because the animals crawl on top of the bus and can hang on some of the windows,especially the windshield wipers...

[@j.k.goatsworth5440]

Hello Sara, i love your videos!And wow, here you are in my home town! The old zoo has been sanitized and "made safe" just like most of the cool abandoned sites around the area. was a very different place back in the 70's and 80"s. Very creepy, and very wild and over grown. The bear cages were fun, the gates still worked, and they filmed some scenes from the Police Academy movies there. Glad you got to see it, but you would have loved it 30 years ago! Keep up the good work! :)

[@kencraig7308]

Ya it was definitely more primitive back in the 80s for sure. Lots of memories of that area ✌️

[@tedgegi155]

Like that last sentence you uttered. He'd want the zoo to have a giant, beautiful wall built around the enclosure he'd reside in.

[@TroySwezey]

Back in my neighborhood. Spent many hours there. Glad you were able to make it there for a tour.

[@spjunkies]

Loved that ending, I'd pay good money for that also 😁😄

[@wandasays5438]

I'm a little late to the wonder hussy party, and I love your channel! Please remember that this is a discontinued zoo. The LA Zoo moved to a new and better place in 1966 and opened in November 1967. The animal habitats are much better these days. The Gorilla that was put down happened at the Cincinnati Zoo, not Cleveland. The child was not harmed. I only wish the parent paid more attention as well as the video photographer.

[@squashedeyeball]

I *really* love your videos Wonder Hussy :) These abandoned places and sites have a mysterious, slightly blurry atmosphere to them... I feel like going to an adventure in a different dimension. And needless to say (I guess), is that you are like, the coolest girl in the world. Oh, and I love your earnings :)

[@HerocratesHelloagainfromruralN]

Hello again from rural New Hampshire. There's a wonderful sanctuary in Bridgeport Texas, CARE Rescue. See BigCatDerek on KZbin. They provide enrichment, good quality food, dedicated people and a space . These animals can never be released. They had no where else to go. They just took in 2 beautiful cougars from the Dallas zoo. Peace and be safe

[@NipponThunderBolt]

your closing narative is a reference to an old twilight zone episode starring rodney mcdowell when a human became the animal on display 'in his native habitat' on another distant planet...the irony is the aliens were not monster-like creatures observing man behind caged bars but they were human too...

[@RalphGuest]

I like your ethos of wanting to take trash out that you find. Don’t get me started on people who toss trash out willy-nilly. It’s my policy to take four plastic grocery bags in with me and pick up as much as I can comfortably pack out, which is about four bags at the most. Because as I always say… If not me, who? If not now, when?

[@Retromicky82]

was like this in my local zoo in the 80s . glad it changed

[@chrishancock3424]

Funny shit there ! We used to party there all the time back in the day . Not much left now days , but fun to go look around

[@larslarsman]

With all the nature videos out there to see how all the wild animals really live, zoo's, to me, are a relic of the past.

[@RalphGuest]

Goes back to what you were saying about the endangered turtles, who’s to say who life is more important in the scheme of things

[@richardstonehouse7842]

why can't politics be taboo? I subscribed because you have so many good videos and never left a negative comment, although could have. have become so depressed from headline news lately and your channel helps cheer me up. please keep up the good work. and leave politics out.

[@RedRider1600]

Cheer up old man, I think she is a closet Trump supporter . . . lol kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3napWCKjrqmorc Update: I just read her blog on her website wonderhussy.com. She is a self proclaimed Liberal.

[@sunset986S]

Wonder Hussy...ever wondered if there's a planet out there where the people are kept in cages and the animals walk by looking in?

[@wayne0425]

It was good to see the animals view, and sad. Great video, Thanks

[@imgettinby]

certainly there must be a map available somewhere to tell you what was where. seems like a fairly common bit of curiosity people must have.

[@sherrydee7880]

Have you gone to the new Los Angeles Zoo? The old zoo was left in order to teach the public how NOT to house animals. It was basically for the school children. I grew up there & the LAUSD ( los angeles unified school district) once had a fantastic arts program. We went on a field trip every week. Now the kids are lucky if they get a field trip once a semester, if ever at all! I hope you went to the Observatory. BTW, there was a massive fire on the hillside back in the early 1960's & a lot of stuff was rebuilt in other safer areas of the park. That "trash" you mentioned is picked up once a week & it's better if you don't mess with it. The locals could easily think you are trying to take over their turf. That's why we learn to just walk over or around stuff like that in a public place. It's a strange form or respect. It could save your life.

[@bobbyhill1005]

Hey Sarah go there at night and explore. That park is haunted. I grew up a few miles from there. Lots of weird things happening at that park. Dont go alone!

[@tombob9294]

La zoo closed but yet 1000 people are there , the world is a fun place to be

[@tammycornejo9155]

Non existant? How sad for the children who will NEVER be able to see any one of these creatures ever again.

[@janelles9312]

Loved your description of the events of the day 😂

[@edwardmclaughlin6126]

John huston quote, "a tree is a tree, a rock is a rock, shoot it in Griffith Park." No need for location shooting with Griffith Park in your backyard.

[@johndynia6592]

Too cool, I enjoyed this a lot. Zoos have come a long way since this one was closed but I still have mixed feeling about them. The sad thing is that some animals might go extinct if it wasn't for zoos. But enjoyed the whole thing, especially the ending!

[@vonzigle]

I was one of the kids who came to this zoo in the 1950’s... Needless to say, the facility was in better shape in those days so the animals didn’t look as miserable as one might imagine. I remember the San Diego Zoo being a better place, but don’t know if it is still open...

[@drkwolfhere]

I so agree with the end statements. Sure enjoying binge watching your video's. Guess i need a life..hahaha.

[@jeanniec8408]

I enjoy your videos and places you explore. I grew up in LA and went to the zoo a lot with family and friends. The last trip was in 1989, and they had nice large areas for the larger animals. Those smaller cages were probably smaller animals and some birds. Safe travels and love your sense of humor.

[@DiscoverWithPajerico]

You right, a safe life is no life.

[@marcusmassey6769]

Your videos are fabulous. Such a nice Lady.

[@allenatkins2263]

Did they move the zoo? Where is it now?

[@jbaron1998]

I love all your videos.

[@AbleHammer]

I grew up with Cholos and Chicanos in Oxnard. I was also bussed. Hey it’s life and an experience. Never heard of furries. 😆. I have fond memories of the LA Zoo as a kid. 70s. I Had no idea about that older zoo. They should tear it down. But to be fair the newer version of the zoo wasn’t that great now that I’ve seen more zoos around the country. San Diego Zoo is much nicer for animals.

[@kencraig7308]

Like around El Rio ?

[@Buck1954]

So now the 2 leg animals hang out there. Bears love water too. I have to admit, that zoo was depressing. Most modern zoos have a lot of outdoor space for animals that need it.

[@RaoulThomas007]

I thought this was going to be about the bar scene in west LA and the beach cities... “Yikes, I wonder what lived down there... and how many bodies are down there now.” 3:45

[@Paul-o5o]

What do you think abou Kt the last line

[@bobh.6375]

I had no idea the LA ZOO had closed down. Thanks for the video. I'm enjoying your adventures. XO Bob

[@gregorystevens875]

It hasn't closed down, just moved to better quarters for the animals. Still not the greatest, but better than this old section.

[@DONNAMNAJERA28]

BOB The Mower the LA Zoo is different that the Griffith Park zoo.

[@lauriel5543]

Most zoo animals now were born in captivity and would never survive in the wild. Most zoos treat there animals very well.

[@BishopKing.308]

Hahaha i would love to hang out with you, you are always in such a great mood. I love the stories you make up. Love ur videos. Peace out.

[@danielyoung6630]

dear sweet thing touching all the bases WONDERHUSSY!!!!

[@MarbleDemo]

One padlock and the venture could be turned 180... Tough shit.

[@desertdumitran]

I think instead of zoos we should only have wildlife rescues. AnimalWonders of Montana is a cool channel about an animal rescue and it sounds like it benefits the animals. They also educate by taking some of them around to schools to teach kids.

[@abbeykroeter]

Though in my youth zoos had areas that depressed me, I did see some areas with animals that looked pretty comfortable. Mostly this was the thought when I knew that the reason we even HAD animals captive was because were they used to live is being taken over by more humans. That's why I find it sickening (and this is not about your comments Ms. Wonder; though younger than I am I can tell you have seen some of the worst type of zoo exhibits when they were still open) when it becomes "hip" to bandwagon about how awful the idea of zoos is, and awful they are for the animals. Meanwhile, that person whining about the terrible zoos is part of the species that made it possible, and in many cases necessary, to have zoos because humans keep spreading with their delusion of "progress". "Oh, gee... it's terrible that there's only a small number of (fill in the blank) still on the earth-- poor animals. So majestic and awesome but threatened or endangered? I have an idea! I'll get my family and go to the zoo!! But first, let's pack a lunch and use other products at home that required resources from the land, and power for our activities that require MORE space, water to turn turbines of dams that ruined a river for MORE resources, and drive with our car and use the highway that were all built with more resources and acreage to get where we want to go, running over animals along the way (or driving where the animals USED to live...) ...and then get to the zoo and complain that it's depressing and the animals have a shitty place to live!!!!" Well CONGRATULATIONS! Our species caused the whole situation numb nuts! So while I agree with you Ms. Wonder Hussy, that by now (and this is happening by the way) animals need much better zoos or areas to live if we're going to keep them, I absolutely hate the trend over the last 20 years of people from all walks suddenly being very concerned with pointing fingers at zoos for having animals cooped up. It's another way to feel good about themselves by pointing a finger to whatever anybody else is doing "wrong". If it weren't for the zoos, and yes, even the old, crappy, unnatural ones like the old one above, we'd have a lot less awareness and a LOT less animals leftover to even know there's a problem out there where humans just keep on building more stuff and letting endless supplies and chemicals go into rivers, the ground, etc... We can do it all cleaner. Let's complain about the real problems and tell humans to clean up more and figure out ways to have our comfortable lives while leaving some natural settings for animals. The zoos aren't the original threat. Our first behaviors, trying to conquer nature for our ever cushier life styles, are the original problem. Even more important are our aquariums, as the oceans are keeping us alive but most people don't know it. It's not like aquariums keep taking millions of fish from the ocean every day... but SOMEBODY is. That's right... humans with their products. Our precious oils and other things that we consume, eat, or trash when our contraptions spill or malfunction. The rest of our products are changing the very chemistries of the ocean. No, the aquariums are NOT the problem. Look up just how much we rely on the oceans for countless things... yet the hip and new-age finger-pointers want to complain about aquariums too. Guess what? Someday when we've figured out we should have been much more careful with the ocean environments for the last 300 years, we'll be pounding on the doors of aquariums to see the LAST beautiful fish, funky echinoderm, brilliant octopus, or magnificent shark! But most only can think of the trendy thing to do-- complain the animals are in tanks or displays right now. Do any of those wanna-bes understand what it takes to keep these animals healthy? Well it's a good thing SOMEBODY knows how to do it! There's not enough left in the jungles, savannas, or oceans! Trust me, today's zoo keepers and aquarium staff members have been AHEAD of the game for a while now, yet they have to endure the moaning from people that aren't even honest fans of animals in the first place, and certainly haven't done much to keep natural environments healthy enough for animals to stay in the wild. They rather be a consumer and a critic. So tell those whiners the next time they see old junk and ruined parts of the world with human waste all over it, don't call it "neato" while complaining that the animals have to live in managed areas. It's the worst kind of hindsight I've ever witnessed. Hey, I love the old places Wonder Hussy visits to see some mysterious forgotten old activity of humans; I get that too. That's what i'm doing here checking it out again. What's done is done--- it's still very interesting and can also teach us something. But it makes no sense for people to see no problem with what we were doing trashing so many areas that now takes generations to support animals again (FULL of toxins, synthetics, crap and concrete), yet complain about zoos. Makes no sense. And no, to those out there who want to rush to his defense... Trump doesn't give a shit about leaving animals a comfortable place or natural, clean environment. He's about conquering and taking trophies of any kind, for no meaning. Just collecting stuff and feeling accomplished. Bravo! The type of human that has ruined the world. Keep on spreading your crap, genius! When your great grandkids wonder why the earth is so fake, and they can't see a live, fantastic animal like a rhinoceros that thrilled their young minds on a nature show or with pictures... we can tell those kids "well, there are none left. Here Timmy, have a TOY rhinoceros!". Great. Real great world to live in. Just more humans and stuff.

[@kingofthecatnap7923]

abbeykroeter, wow. thank you abbey! here's to you.

[@bobh.6375]

thanks for the info. it's been a long long time since I have been in that area.

[@lanuhacres20]

It is really sad that animals have to be caged

[@nancysmith2295]

I thought the gorilla painting looked like it was from the original 'Planet of the Apes'. I'm getting old.

[@Paulo__Perez]

Hey Wonder Hussy! The last time I actually remember going to a zoo was when I was a kid in the 70s, after that I really didn't visit or care for zoos. But what can we do, the zoos are there!!! & the animals in these zoos will not survive in the Wild! maybe 95% of zoo animals are born & raised in a zoo & all they know is that way of life. Having meat brought to them,, always near & around human beings! Imagine taking a Lion born & raised in a zoo & release him in the wilds of Africa, the zoo lion has no chance at all! I'll even say a Wild Beta Lioness could even fight & kill a Alpha Zoo Lion! Unless there are very dedicated people who own vast lands & spend their lives in the rehabilitation & reintergration of zoo animals into wild animals, then these ex-prisoners can raise their survival odds to 50/50! Just like the Grey Wolf program in Northern Montana, Idaho, Wyoming & The State of Alaska! Yes that last statement was Ballsy, just as Long as the Cage next to him housed the Clinton Dingo's

[@abbeykroeter]

It's a direct result fro everything else does to nature by humans, that we actually NEED zoos and other wildlife sanctuaries improved on the zoo idea to heave some of the species around anymore. I find it sickening that (and this is not a comment about your thinking, but it's related and was wondering how you saw it...) it's so damned "hip" to jump on the bandwagon and condemn zoos today. Like you I was depressed about zoos, but only some of the displays. Many of them has animals that looked pretty comfortable. Even so, if we could read their minds (and we can't-- something g to remember), the animals may be able to tell us they are more content at the zoo, just like some people prefer cities over the country. After all, we're not originally from where we mostly live these days. But yeah, ultimately we wouldn't have the need or idea for zoos if it weren't for humans spreading to everywhere animals used to have a place to live. And believe me, though the Clintons may not be the best choice for neighbors, it's people with mentality like Trump's that thought very little about the welfare of animals while they continued with what they see as "progress". It'a all about the deal, and of course then animals get a raw one.

[@bettykuykendall2083]

AWESOME BLOSSOM⚘👽 I'm surprised that homeless people haven't moved in.😎

[@MountainFisher]

Extremely evil and violent people HAVE to be kept in solitary confinement. I'm sorry that too many people do not understand evil and how it must be dealt with.

[@blessedveteran]

Loved the ending!! ... I think a lot of us share that sentiment 😁👍

[@MrGaryRoberton]

Pretty sure that place is supposed to be seriously haunted, Little boy (9 or so) on the old carousel and a crying girl walking the paths at night. Urban legend or? Part of the unexplained........

[@MrLorir100]

ooooweee wonderful video but I screamed at the ending ! Yayyyyy !! On Point nd after a very appropriate video

[@mach179]

I hadn't heard the term "cholas," since the 70's when I attended Pomona High School in Los Angeles County.

[@Wonderhussy]

plenty of cholas in Pomona! Oye!

[@blazed1945]

Plenty everywhere aye😬😬

[@dawnsimons118]

Lol. That's right . ! Wonder Hussy is an old soul .

[@kanuckbrewero6118]

All of LA would improve if it was abandoned. The air is bad, the water is bad.

[@bc4215]

we are business owners and we have been working for all the big casinos on the strip and have access to most of them....great videos !!!!! we just found your videos about 2 hours ago.....we love them.......WE ARE GOING TO GO ON A MISSION TO FLAFSTAFF..maybe we will film it??

[@debbiebenedict3485]

cool video i like how u show everything

[@thapainter11]

Are the cages for rent? I need one

[@justinhunt2145]

Not a fan of Zoos. How would we feel if we were put on display? Reminds me of that Twilight Zone episode of the guy in the house opens the curtains to discover that the windows are barred and he is on display to another world. I find it sick

[@jondoesmith541]

You cost me a potential girlfriend. She asked what I was doing. I said watching Wonder Hussy on youtube. She asked who is that. I said she is a nude model, but she also does a lot of exploration videos. She told me I was having some weird sexual fantasy relationship with you. I was like no, I just like watching exploration vids because I explore old stuff myself. Two weeks later she asked if she pissed me off. I said no but you made it clear we are not compatible . So thank you for sparing me a potential miserable relationship!

[@exbioman]

Be glad it didn't go on for years! Lead you around on a leash when not in your cage. We hope the sex with her was good?

[@kingofthecatnap7923]

Jondoe Smith, thank you for sharing 🍺 ha

[@larryhutton9194]

First loss is always the cheapest.

[@randybeard6040]

Only in California where Many of the Weird Folks Gather to Celebrate their Uniqueness...

[@markshietze4783]

😍😁😇... you remembered Hrumbe ! ❤💜 ... ... and Fiona the Hippo 😁😇😍

[@markshietze4783]

Cincinnati

[@richardsamaniego1592]

Wonderhussy try going to Arcadia at the Arboretum. Fantasy Island was filmed where

[@HouseDrone1]

REMINDS ME OF THAT SONG BY 10 YEARS AFTER I THINK ITS CALLED CHANGE THE WORLD..LOL

[@dougeckert5227]

Why did this zoo close, anyone know?

[@glennjudd2467]

LA ZOO change location ! This one closed in 66 ! So LA zoo is still there !

[@hipo6352]

Did they closed LA ZOO for real ?I wanted to go there ?too bad

[@kencraig7308]

She's exploring the old Griffith park zoo, the LA Zoo is still in operation.

[@sanibel2008]

I hate zoos. With Internet and all the Educational shows on TV I don't see any need for zoos. Anyway....Great video and hope lots see it and get same feeling you expressed

[@Seareay1]

WH, I love watching your videos because of the beauty and history you bring to them. You would be best served to keep political comments to yourself.

[@carolynparral8434]

No do not Wh.....Orange Virus is a PERV and CREEPY......

[@paulchristopherriley7503]

Harumbay! You said Harubay. Joe Fagan taught me that Swahili word for together when I worked with him at North Texas State University. He had been a Jesuit brother bush pilot in Africa now working on his Masters and I an undergraduate pursuing BA in Biology with a concentration in Ecology in 1976. Cool Wonderhussy!

[@warsawpacked418]

I like the graffiti too, even the crude stuff. I always get a kick out of it when archaeologists find some ancient writing and it says something ridiculously vulgar. It's amazing to think that ancient people were so much like us. I love your videos, but I also hate them. Its cool to see so many cool modern ruins but it makes me sad to realize that only a civilization in precipitous decline would produce so many. Oh well, no big deal I guess, all human cultures eventually have the same fate. I will just enjoy getting to see these ruins before I have to pay a tour guide for the privilege.

[@dekcgi7891]

..... Like your smile..... Love your style.....!!

[@ArchureMusic]

I used to live all around there when I was a kid. The elephant grabbed my popcorn

[@kevinbrittain5403]

some great photo shots

[@mikespikedog5293]

Scary looking ! Sounds like there are people in the background. like maybe a party going on.

[@melissarodriguez1122]

love your videos

[@Wonderhussy]

thanks!!!

[@selbyorear5070]

Yikes Wonderhussy, the old LA zoo. We used to take our kids there in the mid 60s. Why did they close it? Thats terrible the condition its in! Your out of place there wonderhussy, get back to the desert! We live you but be safe.

[@gordbaker896]

Well done as always. Ignore the haters. You get into weird places WH.

[@fishbone856]

new sub here! love the videos!

[@paullrichy7718]

great video thanks

[@apocyldoomer]

You should infiltrate the Bohemian Grove, in Monte Rio, Communist California, like Alex Jones did, 40 Foot Concrete Owl, Creamation of Care ceremonies, Etc.

[@Katseye102]

Interesting but really sad . They closed a couple here you know....in Vegas. The one on Rancho and one out in the desert, not sure where it was located, so I guess the only place here to see wild animals is the strip. Hummmm...........not sure it's any better really.

[@todd8781]

Zookeepers don't kidnap bears...FYI

[@randysmith2740]

That is one DAMN SAD PLACE!

[@nicknika490]

Looks just like the San Francisco Zoo layout.

[@kevinstonerock3158]

When zoos were first made they were a way for people who couldn’t afford to travel the world could still experience what they looked like along with a little of their habitat. As the collection grew so did their living conditions deteriorate. It changed from allowing people to experience the wildlife to turning a profit. Keep in mind that there’s a public exhibition side along with the living quarter side where they were in private. They had to clean the spaces safely as well as examine them for medical problems. All while moving them from place to place. Some zoos mostly lined them up in cages for exhibition while others like the Cincinnati zoo tried to place them more in their natural habitat. It’s been a long time since I’ve visited so I can’t speak to its current conditions. As you walk through the tunnels you’re not used to seeing the living quarters side. As for the “furries”, the one good thing is at least they’re willing participants unlike some other situations people can be placed into. I thought you were going to mention putting people in cages to perform. I was thinking about volunteering to perform my forklift ditty since I drove one for many years.🤷🏻‍♂️😉 Fortunately your video didn’t sway the election. With Trump he always attempted to make Americans lives better rather than Biden trying to make life more difficult when he isn’t sleeping in his basement sniffing women’s hair. Remember who started first.😂 Stay safe Sara!😂😉🙏❤️😎

[@billmccabe6188]

Been to LA Zoo many times. Did not know they deserted it.

[@kencraig7308]

This is the old Griffith park zoo, not the LA Zoo.

[@bc4215]

hey we are in vegas.....i have the best under ground vegas mission.....i cant say what it is .....can you send us a message or how can we message privately ......ive been out here since helen canyon days on russle and eastern

[@howardbenoit7474]

don't mind what people say about you--they just hate their own self typical humanity,we're all different,keep doing what make you happy. your're awesome.

[@keithmitchell3715]

oh no look what you went and did 😁 lol you're so funny 😂😂😂

[@deefranklin824]

Cool place!

[@215jami]

In the fifties the fad was Shetland ponies .In the sixties & seventies they became Zoo food for the lions and tigers. They chose ponies because of the meat yield (plump) and no competition in the meat export (France,Iran) . Ca. eventually passed a no equine slaughter law... When you see the animals continually pace or gyrate their necks it's a mental issue of captivity. Look on Craigslist for a Shetland pony, not very many and their not cheap anymore ! The free roams like Lion Country are a lot healthier mentally for the animals ,just saying.

[@oneal36]

Great video. if you get a chance, get up to LA Military Museum, over behind it are old coastal artillery sites that are great for exploring! also, there's a park across the way, with an old small light house (point fermin) and a great biker bar there too.

[@gbh263]

LOL....I use to go to this zoo when I was a kid

[@noonespecial1285]

so cute and fun in the face of horrific past