In 1933, George Chapman, an animal dealer and circus entrepreneur, presented a collection of animals at the Bellevue Pleasure Gardens. That summer season alone, 203,193 tickets were sold at a rate of 4d for adults and 2d for children.
The collection included two zebra, a pair of lions, a tiger, four Russian bears, one hyena, a few pelicans and a baby Asiatic elephant.
Later that year, Belfast Corporation decided to research the idea of having a permanent zoo on the site - inspired, no doubt, by an increase of 850,000 passengers using the Glengormley tramway.
A profit-sharing agreement was struck with the circus entrepreneur, and work began on the construction of a 12-acre site on either side of the Floral staircase.
The project, involving 150 workers, cost an estimated £10,000, with an £8,000 loan from the Ministry of Home Affairs and £2,000 investment by Mr. Chapman. The zoo was opened on March 28, 1934, by Lord Mayor of Belfast, Sir Crawford McCullagh.
Later that year, the Corporation gave the go-ahead for the construction of the Floral Hall and cafe, costing an additional £9,520.
During 1934, the zoo received 287,307 visitors and had a total revenue of £6,194 6s 10d, with expenses of £1,482 13s 8d.
While the zoo was operated by George Chapman, Captain Varley was the superintendent of the zoo and he was backed up by Dick Foster, who was head keeper. George Chapman died on March 15 1935 and the running of the zoo was passed to his sister, Ada who continued to run the zoo until March 12 1940.
During World War II, the Ministry of Public Security ordered the destruction of 33 animals for public safety in case they escaped when the zoo was damaged by air raids.
Only one bomb fell near the Bellevue site during the Belfast Blitz, which destroyed part of the tramline that reached the zoo. However, visitor figures suffered greatly as a result of damage to the tramway, the destruction of the animals, reduced tourist numbers and the black-out.
In 1945, with Bellevue desperately in need of new stock, the host of new arrivals included a Canadian bear and King Penguins.
During the 1960s, the Belfast Corporation Parks and Cemeteries Committee took over management of the zoo, Pleasure Park and the Floral Hall, which became ever more popular as dance fans from a wide area flocked to the venue.
1967 saw the arrival of Tina the elephant, who remains the zoo's longest resident.
During the 1970s, as the once state-of-the-art zoo became cramped and run-down, a debate rumbled about its future. Eventually, Belfast City Council appointed consultants to propose a redevelopment plan for the zoo site, and it was recommended that an area of 40 acres around the Floral Hall be developed.
Work got under way in 1978 and during excavations, evidence that Neolithic Man lived in the Hazelwood area was found. A dugout canoe was dredged from the lake and is now in the Ulster Museum.
Between 1985 and 1989, a number of major developments were completed. This included the enclosures for penguins, sea lions and polar bears in 1985, the zoo farm and lion enclosure in 1986, the elephant and giraffe house in 1988 and the walk through aviary in 1989.
Although the old zoo closed in 1989, it still remains in partial use to day for storage and as a holding area for quarantined animals.
In July 1991, the ape house was opened by Dr Jane Goodall, world renowned zoologist, and in the same year, the zoo's first ever gorilla arrived.
The Friends of the Zoo organisation was formed in 1998. This is a community group of volunteers who perform a variety of tasks to help the zoo, including fundraising, assisting with special events, repairing animal enclosures and giving talks to the public.
More recent developments have included the opening of the Moloch Gibbon enclosure in 2006 and the launch of the Rainforest House last year.
Looking back on the zoo's 75-year history, manager Mark Challis spoke this week of its ontribution to the social, economic and cultural development of the local area.
He said: "Despite a decline in visitors during the '60s and '70s, our visitor numbers have reached almost 300,000, equalling the 1930s record when the zoo first opened. Our development is set to continue when we officially open our new visitors centre in April."
Visitors to the zoo this week can enjoy a special birthday trail around the site or take part in the old zoo tour on Saturday (March 28).