ST. CATHERINE''''''''''''''''S ISLAND, Ga., Dec. 29 (UPI) -- The Bronx Zoo will close a 30-year-old animal preserve off the coast of Georgia since the original objectives have now been met.

Zoologists said they learned a lot about herd maintenance and animal breeding since the 1974 debut of the Wildlife Survival Center on 14,000 undeveloped acres of St. Catherine's Island, the New York Times (NYSE:NYT) reported.

"Studies at St. Catherine's Island have helped us break new ground in the care and conservation of important species," said Richard Lattis, general director of living institutions for the Wildlife Conservation Society at the zoo. "The original program goals have been met."

The more than 400 lemurs, hartebeests, zebras, tortoises, gazelles and birds will be moved to other zoos and wildlife areas in the next year, Bronx Zoo officials said. However, other research will continue on the island off the coast of Georgia.