Zoo Atlanta
An AZA-accredited zoological park in Atlanta, Georgia, combining animal exhibits with conservation, research, education, and public engagement.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Zoo Atlanta is a nonprofit zoological park in Grant Park, Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1889, it is one of the oldest continuously operating zoos in the United States and remains at the site selected for Atlanta’s original animal collection. The institution is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and presents itself not only as a visitor attraction but also as a conservation, research, education, and animal-welfare organization. The zoo began after businessman George G. Gress acquired the animals of a bankrupt traveling circus and donated them to the City of Atlanta. City officials placed the collection in Grant Park, where the zoo still operates. The first collection included a varied assortment of mammals, including a black bear, raccoon, jaguar, hyena, gazelle, Mexican hog, lions, monkeys, and camels. Its holdings expanded during the 1930s after Asa G. Candler Jr. donated animals from his private menagerie. By the 1950s and 1960s the zoo underwent repeated construction and renovation, but many facilities had deteriorated by the early 1970s. The Atlanta Zoological Society was formed in 1970 by citizens seeking to raise awareness and financial support. After further decline during the 1980s, the zoo was reorganized and privatized in 1985 under the nonprofit Atlanta-Fulton County Zoo, Inc. It adopted the name Zoo Atlanta, and the new management began a long restoration and redevelopment program. Terry Maple led the transformation from 1985 until 2003, with major projects including The Ford African Rain Forest, which opened in 1988. The institution’s modern identity has been shaped by large-scale habitat redevelopment, high-profile breeding programs, and conservation partnerships. Major visitor areas include the African Savanna, the Ford African Rain Forest, Asian Forest, Corridor to Change, Complex Carnivores, the Orkin Children’s Zoo, and Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience. The African Savanna, opened in 2019 as part of the Grand New View transformation, presents African elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, rhinoceroses, ostriches, warthogs, meerkats, and other species in a redesigned landscape. Scaly Slimy Spectacular opened in 2015 and was described as the first LEED Gold-certified amphibian and reptile complex of its kind. Zoo Atlanta was internationally recognized for its giant panda program. From 1999 through 2024 it housed Lun Lun and Yang Yang, pandas on loan from China, and produced several successful births, including the first surviving giant panda twins born in the United States since 1987. The adults and their offspring returned to China in October 2024. The zoo has also been known for its western lowland gorilla program, including animals descended from Willie B., and for conservation work involving amphibians, reptiles, elephants, orangutans, red pandas, clouded leopards, vultures, and other threatened species. Beyond exhibits, Zoo Atlanta participates in Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan programs, supports field conservation, maintains assurance colonies for threatened amphibians, and conducts animal-behavior and welfare research. In 2018 it was recognized as a top research zoo for its peer-reviewed scientific contributions. Its public mission is to save wildlife and habitats through conservation, research, education, and engaging experiences. The zoo also operates Savanna Hall, a restored historic structure in Grant Park that opened as an events venue in 2019.
History
Zoo Atlanta traces its history to 1889, when George G. Gress purchased a bankrupt traveling circus and donated its animals to Atlanta. The city placed the collection in Grant Park, establishing the site that continues to house the zoo. The original animals included a mixture of North American, African, Asian, and South American species, reflecting the broad but relatively unspecialized character of nineteenth-century menageries. The collection grew in the 1930s when Asa G. Candler Jr. donated animals from his private menagerie. During the 1950s and 1960s, the zoo received renovations and new construction, but its facilities were increasingly considered inadequate by the early 1970s. In response, concerned citizens created the Atlanta Zoological Society in 1970 to build public support and raise funds for improvement. The zoo entered a decisive restructuring period in the mid-1980s. In 1985, operations were privatized through the nonprofit Atlanta-Fulton County Zoo, Inc., and the institution adopted the Zoo Atlanta name. Terry Maple assumed management responsibility and directed an extensive restoration program. The redevelopment produced new habitats and visitor facilities, including The Ford African Rain Forest, opened in 1988. The rainforest became particularly associated with Zoo Atlanta’s western lowland gorilla program and later housed generations of gorillas, including descendants of Willie B. A major international chapter began in 1999, when giant pandas Lun Lun and Yang Yang arrived from China. Their births in Atlanta included Mei Lan in 2006, Xi Lan in 2008, Po in 2010, twin females Mei Lun and Mei Huan in 2013, and twin females Ya Lun and Xi Lun in 2016. The program made Zoo Atlanta one of the most prominent panda-holding institutions in the United States. The pandas and their Atlanta-born descendants returned to China in October 2024. Zoo Atlanta continued to expand and modernize its habitats. The Living Treehouse extension of the African Rain Forest was completed in 2004. The Orangutan Learning Tree Project, introduced in 2007, used interactive technology to provide orangutans with problem-solving activities. Scaly Slimy Spectacular opened in 2015, replacing the former World of Reptiles and presenting more than 200 animals from over 70 species. The Grand New View redevelopment culminated in the opening of the African Savanna in 2019. That same year, the restored historic Savanna Hall opened as an events and community venue. Conservation has increasingly become central to the zoo’s operations. Zoo Atlanta participates in AZA Species Survival Plan programs and supports work on endangered mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Its projects include support for Panamanian golden frogs threatened by chytrid fungus, efforts connected with the Asian turtle crisis, and conservation programs for species such as African elephants, gorillas, red pandas, orangutans, giant otters, clouded leopards, and African vultures. Zoo Atlanta was recognized in 2018 for its contribution to peer-reviewed research. Raymond B. King has served as president and CEO since 2010.
- 2024
Panda family returns to China
[1]The two adult pandas and their six Atlanta-born offspring departed for China on October 14.
- 2019
African Savanna and Savanna Hall open
[1]The African Savanna opened as part of the Grand New View transformation, while restored Savanna Hall opened as an events venue.
- 2018
Recognized for research contributions
[1]Zoo Atlanta was identified as a top research zoo for contributions to peer-reviewed scientific research.
- 2015
Scaly Slimy Spectacular opens
[1]The new amphibian and reptile complex replaced the former World of Reptiles and emphasized sustainable design and conservation.
- 2006
First Atlanta-born panda cub
[1]Male cub Mei Lan was born on September 6.
- 2004
Living Treehouse completed
[1]The African Rain Forest received an extension with African birds and lemur and monkey habitats.
- 1999
Giant pandas arrive
[1]Lun Lun and Yang Yang arrived from China and began the zoo’s multi-generation giant panda program.
- 1988
Ford African Rain Forest opens
[1]The habitat became a major component of the zoo’s long-term restoration and its gorilla program.
- 1985
Nonprofit reorganization and renaming
[1]The zoo was privatized through Atlanta-Fulton County Zoo, Inc. and renamed Zoo Atlanta.
- 1970
Atlanta Zoological Society founded
[1]Citizens formed the society to raise funds and public awareness during a period of deteriorating facilities.
Products and positioning
A conservation-centered, family-oriented urban zoo that combines immersive animal habitats with education, research, species management, and public advocacy for wildlife protection.
habitat and visitor experience · 2019
African Savanna
Opened in 2019, the African Savanna is a large habitat area for wildlife associated with African grasslands and deserts. Its residents include African elephants, lions, giraffes, plains zebras, ostriches, warthogs, meerkats, white rhinoceroses, kori bustards, and bontebok. The area is part of Zoo Atlanta’s Grand New View redevelopment and presents multiple species within a landscape intended to support both public interpretation and modern animal care.
habitat and visitor experience · 1988
The Ford African Rain Forest
Opened in 1988, the Ford African Rain Forest is one of Zoo Atlanta’s signature habitats and the center of its western lowland gorilla program. The area has recorded numerous gorilla births and includes the Living Treehouse extension, which features African birds, lemurs, colobus monkeys, drills, and guenons. It is also associated with notable former residents such as Willie B., Ivan, and Ozzie.
habitat and visitor experience · 2015
Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience
This amphibian and reptile complex opened in 2015 and replaced the former World of Reptiles. It houses more than 200 animals representing over 70 species and was described as the first LEED Gold-certified amphibian and reptile complex. The exhibit supports conservation messaging and breeding work involving threatened turtles, lizards, frogs, and other species.
habitat and visitor experience
Asian Forest
Asian Forest presents species including giant otters, Komodo dragons, red pandas, orangutans, and other Asian wildlife. The area supports Zoo Atlanta’s conservation and educational work on threatened Asian mammals and reptiles, including Bornean and Sumatran orangutans.
family experience
Orkin Children’s Zoo
The Orkin Children’s Zoo provides child-focused animal encounters and interpretation. Its Outback Station includes a petting-zoo setting with several domestic goat and sheep breeds and kunekune pigs, offering an accessible introduction to animal behavior and care.
events and venue · 2019
Savanna Hall
Savanna Hall occupies a historic Grant Park structure built in 1921, formerly associated with Atlanta’s Cyclorama painting. Zoo Atlanta received stewardship of the building in 2014 and restored features including its granite facade, terra cotta walls, and original rail system. It opened in 2019 as a special-events destination.
Marketing campaigns
- 2007Orangutan Learning Tree Project
United States
Zoo Atlanta introduced in-habitat touchscreen technology that allowed orangutans to engage with puzzles, games, and problem-solving activities while visitors observed through linked displays.
Outcome. Expanded public education around orangutan cognition and behavior.
- 1970Atlanta Zoological Society fundraising and awareness effort
United States
Citizens organized the Atlanta Zoological Society to generate funding and public support for a zoo whose facilities were increasingly outdated.
Outcome. Contributed to the long-term movement for institutional renewal and later redevelopment.
- Wildlife conservation and species-survival programs
United States · International
Zoo Atlanta supports AZA Species Survival Plan programs and field or assurance-colony initiatives involving threatened mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, including Panamanian golden frogs and species affected by the Asian turtle crisis.
Outcome. Ongoing conservation, breeding, research, and public education work.
Brand decisions
2024
End the Atlanta giant panda loan periodOtherBackground
The loan arrangement for Lun Lun and Yang Yang and their offspring concluded after a 25-year panda program.
Action taken
The two adults and six Atlanta-born offspring were transferred to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China.
Aftermath
Zoo Atlanta ceased to house giant pandas after the October 2024 transfer.
2014
Assume stewardship of the historic Cyclorama buildingStrategyBackground
A historic Grant Park building built in 1921 required a new use after the Atlanta Cyclorama painting moved to the Atlanta History Center.
Action taken
Zoo Atlanta accepted stewardship and undertook restoration while retaining significant historic architectural features.
Aftermath
The building reopened in 2019 as Savanna Hall, an events destination.
1985
Reorganize as a nonprofit and adopt the Zoo Atlanta nameStrategyBackground
The institution had experienced decline and deteriorating facilities during the preceding period.
Action taken
Operations were privatized through Atlanta-Fulton County Zoo, Inc., and the zoo was renamed Zoo Atlanta.
Aftermath
The change began an extended restoration and redevelopment program.
Recent events
Internet of Elephants launches Wildeverse[3]
Reported:
Internet of Elephants launched Wildeverse, an augmented-reality game about animals and conservation, developed with conservation science experts from the Borneo Nature Foundation, Goualougo Triangle Ape Foundation, Zoo Atlanta and Chester Zoo.
Sources3 sources
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