The Memphis Zoo is dedicated to conserving our wildlife and learning as much as possible about it to ensure species are around for years to come...
The Memphis Zoo 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. The land currently designated to the Memphis Zoo was defined by the Overton Park master plan in 1988, it is owned by the City of Memphis. The zoo is set on 76 acres, of which approximately 55 acres are developed.
This zoo has made a name for itself as one of only four zoos in the country to have giant pandas. Indeed, Ya Ya and Le Le are local celebrities! Other animals indigenous to China are on display here as well, including Asian small-clawed otters and Pere David deer just to name a few!
Be sure to check out Animals of the Night — one of the few nocturnal animal exhibits in the U.S. At Cat Country, lions, tigers, and other big cats roam through the ruins of Asian temples. (By the way, the lion roar heard at the start of MGM movies was recorded at the Memphis Zoo, although the lion himself died in 1944.)
In 2008, the Memphis Zoo was ranked "#1 Zoo in the U.S." by TripAdvisor. The ranking was based on visitor opinions.
Since the early 1990s, the Memphis Zoo has invested over $77 million for renovation and expansion. The zoo's animal inhabitants reside in three zones with 19 exhibits, such as Teton Trek, Northwest Passage and China, home to giant pandas Ya Ya and Le Le.
The Memphis Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).