1970 to 1979

1970: March 26: The City of Cleveland transferred ownership of the Zoo to Cleveland Metroparks. In late September, the original zoo building (the deer house)—located in Wade Park—was moved from the University Circle area and reconstructed at the north end of the Zoo's waterfowl lake.

1971: Wade Memorial Hall, was dedicated on May 28. The moated bear grottoes' second phase was completed in June, with the Kodiak and Polar Bear displays located on the site of the old bear dens. Construction began on a new building to house an animal care unit for animal medical and surgical care, a maintenance garage for zoo vehicles, maintenance shops, a commissary for animal food storage, and winter quarters for animals.

1972: The Stecher Animal Care Center and service building was dedicated on September 29.

1973: The Zoo’s first successful king penguin hatching and survival occurred in August. A volunteer group was organized at the Zoo in the summer, consisting of twenty-five members.

1974: The elephant ride opened, and elephant races were held, with much publicity.

1975: The Zoo issued its first set of zoo local postage stamps, commemorating the heroism of “Balto”, the lead dog of the famous team that delivered diptheria antitoxin to Nome, Alaska, in February, 1925. On June 23, construction began on a new primate and cat building, located next to the administration-education complex. On October 28, through an agreement with the Cleveland Zoological Society (CZS), Cleveland Metroparks assumed complete operating responsibilities for the Zoo. CZS became a supportive agency for the Zoo.

1977: Birth of two giraffes. A young male pygmy hippopotamus, named Wolee, was acquired from Liberia.

1978: The long-awaited new primate and cat building was dedicated on June 23.