The Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago Inc. (ZSTT Inc.) was founded on 23rd April, 1947. In 1952, by Ordinance No. 12 of 1952 dated 5th April 1952, the Society was constituted as a body corporate. It thus became a legal entity with all the rights and privileges of a body corporate. On the 8th November 1952, the zoological gardens opened its gates to the public, under the name Emperor Valley Zoo. It was so named after the Emperor butterfly (Morpho peleides insularis) which lived in great quantities in the valley at that time.
