Nashville Zoo twenty fifth Anniversary

Nashville Zoo hits 25-year milestone!

Since opening on the Grassmere property in 1997, Nashville Zoo has celebrated super development over the previous 25 years. The Zoo is rated one of many prime sights within the state and has turn out to be a staple for Tennesseans and vacationers. Seen as an worldwide pressure on the planet of conservation, Nashville Zoo participates in analysis efforts around the globe and proper in our yard to save lots of threatened species.

The place it began

The Grassmere property was generously donated to town by the Croft household on the situation that it had for use as a ‘nature research space’. Nashville Zoo and metropolis leaders struck a 40-year deal through which the land can be city-owned however operated by the Zoo’s non-public non-profit group. Quick ahead 25 years, Nashville Zoo is now house to over 3,000 animals representing greater than 350 species, using over 200 people and welcoming over a million company annually. Be taught extra about our historical past. 

Conservation

Over the previous 20 years, conservation has been and continues to be a core piece of Nashville Zoo’s mission. A few of our Zoo’s notable conservation efforts by way of the years embody the profitable births of greater than 35 clouded leopards, changing into the worldwide chief in analysis and care plans for big anteaters and paving the way in which for progressive hellbender breeding practices. Discover out extra about Nashville Zoo conservation. 

Awards & Accolades

Nashville Zoo isn’t any stranger to success in its 25 years of operation. We gained nationwide consideration in 2019 and 2020 when the Zoo obtained Prime Honors in Exhibit Design Award by the Affiliation of Zoos and Aquariums for Expedition Peru: Trek of the Andean Bear and Tiger Crossroads. Successful prime honors in exhibit design two years in a row has taken place solely two different occasions in AZA historical past. The ladies’s Expedition Peru: Trek of the Andean Bear, house to the critically endangered cotton-top tamarins, and Entry Village’s males’s restroom, house to a Boelen’s python, had been named America’s Greatest Restrooms within the nation by Cintas in 2019.

The Zoo’s not too long ago renovated and visitor favourite Jungle Gymnasium playground is the most important community-built playground in the US and was one of many first sights to open on the Zoo again in 1997. 

BIG Plans

Our most up-to-date undertaking, more likely to open within the spring of 2023, is the Zoo’s brand-new Komodo dragon habitat that’s being constructed to deal with two grownup males, three grownup females and youthful dragons. Be taught extra in regards to the habitat.

With simply 90 of 188 acres developed, now we have large plans for the long run. The Zoo’s subsequent growth will use 40-acres of the undeveloped land and transport company into an immersive African Safari that can showcase hippos, lions cheetahs and extra. This undertaking will take an estimated 8 years to finish. Click on right here to learn extra particulars for future plans. 

Thanks to all of our Nashville Zoo company, members, volunteers and workers for an unbelievable 25 years at Grassmere!