The 1980s brought transformation to the center of the San Diego Zoo with new exhibits and habitats on bird and primate mesa. Being at the heart of things, this major renovation project was dubbed Heart of the Zoo, and it launched in 1981. For the groundbreaking, a large red area was painted on pavement where construction would take place, and a heart-shaped piece was jack-hammered out of the center. It emphasized the “gravity” of the massive endeavor as Zoological Society director Charles Bieler (left) and board of trustees president George Gildred worked to lift the heart to reveal the ground below! They had a little help from a young elephant to dig in the dirt to actually “break the ground.” Heart of the Zoo was a long-range project planned to take place in phases over 10 years, rebuilding or restoring all exhibits between the Flamingo Lagoon and the gorilla grotto. Phase I would build new enclosures for two species of orangutans, new island exhibits for gibbons and siamangs, a climate-controlled exhibit for douc langurs and other Southeast Asian primates, and a new aviary for hornbills and cockatoos.