On April 23, 2005, YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim uploaded the video titled “Me at the zoo” to what was then a brand new and relatively unknown website. The short, casual clip features Karim describing the elephants and their "really, really, really long trunks." It was the first video ever uploaded to YouTube, making the San Diego Zoo the accidental backdrop of a major moment in internet history.
Today, that original upload has amassed over 355 million views and 10 million comments, earning its place as one of the most iconic pieces of online content. Shot by fellow co-founder Yakov Lapitsky, the video marked the beginning of a video-sharing revolution. Within a month, YouTube was already pulling in 300,000 daily views. By the end of 2005, it was averaging 2 million views per day.
The San Diego Zoo, already one of the most visited and celebrated zoological parks in the world, gained additional digital fame thanks to its role in YouTube’s early origins. Since then, the platform has grown to host more than 800 million videos, with over 2 billion logged-in users visiting every month.
Karim's unscripted and unedited clip is credited with sparking a global movement that empowered creators and changed how the world consumes media. As for the Zoo, its moment in the spotlight has been forever etched in internet lore.
From a humble video filmed at a beloved local attraction, YouTube has evolved into a cultural force, shaping everything from politics to pop music, and continuing to give voice to creators around the world. And it all began right here in San Diego.
Originally published on April 23, 2025.
