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Kuchi, Western lowland gorilla, with twins Kazi and Kali at Zoo Atlanta. Photo by Tim on

Top 10 Fascinating Facts About Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta was opened in 1889. Its located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.

A businessman George V. Gress bought a penniless travelling circus and donated the animals to the city of Atlanta. City leaders opted to house the collection in Grant Park, which remains the zoo’s present location.

Original residents of the zoo included a black bear, a raccoon, a jaguar, a hyena, a gazelle, a Mexican hog, lionesses, monkeys, and camels.

The zoo’s collection expanded in the 1930s with the personal donation of a private menagerie owned by Asa G. Candler

Let’s learn more about the Zoo Atlanta

1. The Zoo Features African Savanna

The Zoo Atlanta’s African Savanna was opened in 2019. It was opened as part of the Zoo’s Grand New View modification.

 It houses wildlife native to the grasslands and desert of Africa. There are various animals in this region such as African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, warthogs, and meerkats.

The Zoo’s former elephant habitat was redesigned to house southern white rhinos. The rhino habitat is home to male Mumbles which arrived in 2020 and female Kiazi which arrived in 2021.

2. The World’s First Leed Gold-Certified Amphibian and Reptile Complex

Alligator Snapping Turtle at Zoo Atlanta. Photo by Angela Grider on

Zoo Atlanta is home to the Amphibians and Reptiles complex. It was opened in 2015. The Amphibian and Reptile experience was the world’s first leed Gold-certified amphibian and reptile complex.

The complex replaced the Zoo’s former World of Reptiles. It’s a home of more than 200 animals representing more than 70 pieces.

There are extraordinary reproductive successes which comprise Arakan forest turtles. This is a critically menaced species harvested nearly to extinction for food and traditional medicine.

Examples of reptile species at Zoo Atlanta include prehensile-tailed skink, green anaconda, reticulated python, Burmese star tortoise, pancake tortoise and a Mexican box turtle.

Amphibians species include strawberry poison-dart frog, red-eyed tree frog, Panamanian golden frog, black-legged poison frog, evergreen toad, lemur leaf frog, white-spotted glass frog, dyeing poison dart frog and Titicaca water frog.

3. Zoo Atlanta is One of the Institutions in the United States hosting Giant Pandas

Zoo Atlanta is one of three institutions in the United States currently housing giant pandas. The giant pandas reside in the Zoo’s Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Giant Panda Conservation Center.

The pair’s first cub, male Mei Lan, was born on September 6, 2006. A second cub, male Xi Lan, was born on August 30, 2008. Female Po was born on November 3, 2010. Po’s name was announced by actor Jack Black in 2011; Po was named after Black’s character in the DreamWorks film Kung Fu Panda.

4. Zoo Atlanta Opened the Ford African Rain Forest

A couple of giraffes pose together at Zoo Atlanta. Photo by Bob Owen on

Twenty-four western lowland gorillas have been born at the zoo since the opening of The Ford African Rain Forest in 1988. Kali and Kazi, a rare set of twins, were born at Zoo Atlanta on October 31, 2005.

Zoo Atlanta also remains home to the progeny of its best-known gorilla, Willie. Other famous gorillas who have lived at Zoo Atlanta include Ivan, who inhabited the Zoo from 1994 to 2012, and Ozzie, who lived at the Zoo from 1988 to 2022.

The Living Treehouse is an extension of The Ford African Rain Forest completed in 2004. The presentation houses an aviary of African birds, as well as black-and-white ruffed lemurs and ring-tailed lemurs, with adjoining habitats for Angolan colobus monkeys, training, Schmidt’s guenons, and Wolf’s guenons. In 2017, Zoo Atlanta introduced two crowned lemurs.

5. Zoo Atlanta is Home to more than 50 Species of Aviaries

Zoo Atlanta is home to more than 50 species. Some examples of the species include Bali Orkin, white-headed buffalo weaver, superb starling, Orkin Children’s zoo pheasant, king vulture and hooded vulture.

6. Explore the Orkin Children’s Zoo

A child pets a Gulf Coast Native sheep at Zoo Atlanta. Photo by Mallory Simon on

Zoo Atlanta’s Outback Station petting zoo is a cottage for Saanen goats, Oberhasli goats, Boer goats, Southdown babydoll sheep, Gulf Coast sheep, Nigerian dwarf goats, and two kunekune pigs.

7. Inside the Zoo Atlanta there is The Asian Forest

The Asian Forest houses massive otters, sun bears, a Komodo dragon, Sumatran tigers, and a red panda, as well as Bornean orangutans and Sumatran orangutans.

The Orangutan Learning Tree Project was launched at Zoo Atlanta in 2007. It manipulates in-habitat touch screen technology.

The technology allows orangutans to engage in computer mysteries, games and problem-solving exercises. Moreover, guests observe their activities on a linked monitor.

8. Corridor to Change focuses on Species Impact

Clouded Leopard takes a drink at the Atlanta Zoo. Photo by Henri Photography on

Corridor to Change is focused on species moved by the international wildlife trade. The complex is home to Malayan sun bears and Sumatran tigers.

 An adjacent area, Complex Carnivores, houses species such as clouded leopards and binturong.

9. The Savanna Hall was for Decades the former Home of the Atlanta Cyclorama Painting

It was built in 1921, the Savanna Hall was the former home of the Atlanta Cyclorama painting “The Battle of Atlanta.” The painting now resides at the Atlanta History Center. Savanna Hall opened as a special events destination in 2019.

Zoo Atlanta was awarded stewardship of the hierarchy by Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed in 2014. Upon restoring the building, Zoo Atlanta engaged in many efforts to retain nods to the structure’s history.

Zoo Atlanta preserved its original granite exterior, original terra cotta walls, and actual pole system used to hang the tremendous painting. These are noticeable in what is now the Michael and Thalia Carlos Ballroom.

10. Zoo Atlanta Features a Conservation and Research Programs

Eye on you- Kelly at Zoo Atlanta. Photo by beachkat1 on

Zoo Atlanta’s mission statement is “We save wildlife and their habitats through conservation, research, education, and engaging experiences. Our efforts connect people to animals and inspire conservation action.”

Species influenced by conservation support from Zoo Atlanta have included but are not limited to giant pandas, African elephants, golden lion tamarins, western lowland gorillas, Panamanian golden frogs, red pandas, clouded leopards, giant otters, Bornean orangutans, African vulture species such as hooded vultures and lappet-faced vultures.

Additionally, native reptile species such as eastern indigo snakes and diamondback terrapins. In 2018, Zoo Atlanta was named a Top 10 Research Zoo for its contributions to peer-reviewed scientific research.