The National Zoo was established in 1889 out of concern to save wildlife as the American bison neared extinction and other North American animals were threatened. William T. Hornaday, chief taxidermist at the Smithsonian Institution, proposed creating a refuge for America's vanishing animals, and President Cleveland signed a bill establishing the National Zoological Park on March 2, 1889. Its purpose was "for the advancement of science and the instruction and recreation of the people," and those goals continue to guide it as it cares for about 2,000 animals and works to save species from around the world.
