ABOUT THE MEMPHIS ZOO
The Memphis Zoo, located in Memphis, Tennessee, is home to more than 3,500 animals representing over 500 different species. Created in April 1906, the zoo has been a major tenant of Overton Park for more than 100 years. In 2008, the Memphis Zoo was ranked "#1 Zoo in the U.S." by TripAdvisor.com. Read more reviews of the Zoo by
clicking here.
The zoo is set on 76 acres of Overton Park, of which approximately 55 acres are developed.
The land currently designated to the Memphis Zoo was defined by the Overton Park master plan in 1988.
Since the Zoo began making major renovations in the late 1980s, it has used a master plan to guide the way. To learn more about the Zoo's master plan and it's development,
click here. The land, and all of the buildings and upgrades made to it are property by the
City of Memphis, and managed by the Memphis Zoological Society. To see a list of the society's board and officers,
click here.
Since the early 1990s, the Memphis Zoo has invested over $80 million for renovation and expansion,
making it one of the finest zoological parks in the nation. This would not have been possible if not for the financial assistance
and civic support of local private citizens, corporate sponsors and
legislators.
You can help us, too!
The zoo's
animal inhabitants reside in 19 exhibits in three zones, such as Northwest Passage and China, home to Giant Pandas Ya Ya and Le Le. See the complete list of Zoo exhibitry by visiting our
exhibits page. To learn more about future Zoo projects,
click here.
The Memphis Zoo is an accredited member of the
Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). Giant Pandas Ya Ya and Le Le are trademarks of the Memphis Zoo.
OUR MISSION
The Zoo of tomorrow begins today. Together we are building one of the world's great zoos! Our friendly staff and volunteers are dedicated to providing a naturalistic and enriching sanctuary for our animals and a clean, friendly, entertaining and educational experience for our guests.
The Memphis Zoo is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Since 2004, the Zoo has earned four consecutive four-star ratings by
Charity Navigator, America's premier independent charity evaluator. Please take a moment to visit our pages on
education and
conservation programs at the Memphis Zoo.
ON THE HORIZON
To learn more about future exhibits planned at the Memphis Zoo,
click here. The Zoo is nearing the end of the current master plan and will be working soon to create a new 10-year master plan. Please check back soon to read details about how the process begins. To learn more about the current master plan,
click here.
Key Dates in Zoo Development
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| 1906 - The Memphis Park Commission allocates $1,200 to establish the Memphis Zoo on April 4. Spearheaded by Col. Galloway, $3,628 is used to build 23 simple cages and a row of concrete bear dens in August.
1907 - Galloway Hall*
1909 - Carnivora Building^
1910 - Elephant House^
1916 - Botanical Display Building^
1923 - Round Barn
1936 - Monkey Island*
1959 - Aquarium
1960 - Herpetarium, Pachyderm/Elephant exhibit
1979 - Aquarium major renovations
1990 - Avenue of the Animals/Zoo entrance
1993 - Cat Country, Education Complex, Discovery Center and Elephant’s Trunk Zoo Shop
1994 - Cat House Café
1995 - Animals of the Night, Once Upon A Farm, Primate Canyon.
1996 - Primate Picnic Pavilion
1997 - Nutrition Center, Maintenance complex, Butterflies
1998 - Dragon’s Lair
1998 - Animal Hospital
2002 - CHINA
2004 - Animal Nursery
2006 - Northwest Passage
2007 - Butterflies renovation
2008 - Teton Trek construction begins
- * no longer exists
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^ structure renovated for new use
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