It all started in 1896 when Denver Mayor Thomas S. McMurray received an orphaned black bear named Billy Brian as a gift. Soon realizing that Billy was too much for one man to handle, Mayor McMurray donated the bear as the first animal of the Denver Zoo. Today, the Zoo contains 3,500 different animals and 650 different species. This expansive collection includes exotic and endangered animals that are in some cases unique to only a few Zoos in the country, such as the Siberian Tiger and the Red Panda. Spanning over 80 acres, the Denver Zoo provides plenty of entertainment for all ages through activities like wildlife shows and animal feedings.