The Zoo Lady: How Belle Benchley Built the San Diego Zoo

by Sandra E. Bonura

320 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication October 1, 2026

Reviews

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another outstanding effort by Dr. Sandra Bonura. This time she turns her research onto Belle Benchley who was the force behind the development of the World Famous San Diego Zoo. The author sheds light on this now forgotten lady who was assigned to work on a temporary 2-week position at the zoo, and stayed for almost 30 years. Never received the title of Director, she nonetheless ran all aspects of the zoo during her tenure. She was able to procure many unique animals, and even though she did not have a college degree in zoology (she was a college-educated teacher) she had an amazing ability to bond with the animals. Filled with truly amazing stories of her life and times, this is a book that grows upon you the longer you read it. Her time at the zoo encompassed the Depression, World War 2 and food rationing. Never one to complain, her tireless efforts are captured here by Dr. Bonura, and is a welcome addition to her books on famous and now mostly forgotten Californians!
4.5****