The Memphis Zoo: Connecting people with wildlife
The Memphis Zoo isn’t like any other zoo: the mere fact that the famous lion roar heard at the beginning of classic MGM movies was recorded there should beg a closer look at this facility. Today, the zoo stands as one of the premier tourist spots in the city.
The story of the zoo begins in the early 1900s with a bear named Natch. The black bear was the mascot for the Memphis Turtles baseball team in 1904 and the bear needed a place to live. The Memphis Park Commission allocated in $1,200 in 1906. Today, the zoo has grown to be the most-visited Memphis attraction, with more than 90,000 children attending annual field trips and more than 100,000 visitors during free admission days every year.
The zoo features various exhibitions that expose visitors to animals found across the world. The Northwest Passage portion of the zoo gives a tribute to the animals, First Nation culture and architecture of the Pacific Northwest. Polar bears, sea lions, black bears, bald eagles and ravens are featured in the exhibit. The area includes a large underwater viewing area, allowing guests to view polar bears and sea lions in a very naturalistic environment.
The China exhibit opened in 2002 and rests on three acres of land. The exhibition features a sampling of the culture, animals, architecture, horticulture and Chinese giant pandas. Also featured are Asian small-clawed otters, white-naped cranes, Francois Langurs, waterfowl and pheasants, among others.
The zoo’s conservation programs circle the globe, from cooperative programs in China for giant pandas to local efforts to save the Louisiana pine snake.
Hours from October to February are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Hours during March-September are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. General admission for adults is $15 and for children is $10. Discounted tickets are available for military personnel. Parking is $5. Check out the museum's web site before visiting to learn about a wide variety of zoological activities.
Posted by Leah M. Caudle
