ZooTampa
A nonprofit zoological park and wildlife-conservation institution in Tampa, Florida.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
ZooTampa, formally known as ZooTampa at Lowry Park, is a nonprofit zoological park in Tampa, Florida. Operated by the independent Lowry Park Zoological Society, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the zoo combines public animal exhibits, family attractions, conservation programs, education, and wildlife rescue. Its 63-acre campus is located in Tampa’s Seminole Heights area near the Hillsborough River and receives close to one million visitors in a typical year. The institution developed from a small collection of exotic animals displayed at Plant Park on the University of Tampa campus in downtown Tampa during the 1930s. During the 1950s, local political support led to the creation of a larger zoo at its present location. The facility opened in 1957 as Tampa Fairyland Zoo, a family-oriented attraction that combined animal exhibits with fairy-tale imagery, rides, and other entertainment. It later became known primarily as Lowry Park Zoo or Lowry Park Zoological Garden. By the 1980s, many of the zoo’s animal enclosures had deteriorated and were criticized as overcrowded and unhealthy. After several years of fundraising, the original facility closed in September 1987 for a major reconstruction costing approximately $20 million. The rebuilt zoo opened in stages beginning in March 1988, replacing most of the earlier layout with more modern habitats and geographically themed areas. Subsequent additions included Asian Gardens, Florida Wildlife Center, Primate World, Wallaroo Station, Safari Africa, expanded aviaries, rides, educational venues, and specialized wildlife-care facilities. The zoo’s public identity changed again in 2018, when it adopted the ZooTampa at Lowry Park name and introduced new branding during a broader renovation and expansion program. The rebrand emphasized the institution’s connection to Tampa and its role as a regional conservation and visitor destination rather than simply a traditional municipal zoo. ZooTampa’s conservation work is central to its institutional positioning. It participates in numerous Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan programs involving threatened or endangered animals, including Indian rhinoceroses, orangutans, red wolves, African elephants, Komodo dragons, golden lion tamarins, and other species. It also operates a major Florida manatee hospital. In cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the hospital rescues, treats, rehabilitates, and releases injured, sick, and orphaned manatees. The facility has been described as the only nonprofit hospital dedicated specifically to critical care for wild manatees. Its visitor proposition combines close-up animal viewing with rides and interactive family experiences. Major areas include Asian Gardens, Florida Wildlife Center, Primate World, Wallaroo Station Children’s Zoo, Safari Africa, the Main Aviary, and the Spirits of the Sky raptor presentation. Attractions include animal-themed rides, a children’s train, a family roller coaster, a splash-play area, and the Roaring Springs water ride. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is associated with international and regional zoological and conservation organizations, including the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Florida Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
History
ZooTampa’s institutional history begins with a modest collection of exotic animals displayed at Plant Park on the University of Tampa campus during the 1930s. As Tampa’s population and civic ambitions grew, local leaders sought a larger and more permanent zoological facility. City council member and later mayor Nick Nuccio helped promote the project, and land was selected across from Lowry Park in the Seminole Heights neighborhood. The new facility opened in 1957 as Tampa Fairyland Zoo. Its early identity combined wildlife exhibits with a whimsical children’s environment featuring fairy-tale and nursery-rhyme statues, winding paths, and a prominent rainbow bridge. The attraction gradually expanded its collection and added recreational features, including a small roller coaster, skyride, children’s train, and other rides. It became increasingly associated with the surrounding park and was subsequently known as Lowry Park Zoo and Lowry Park Zoological Garden. By the early 1980s, the zoo’s concrete enclosures and visitor facilities had deteriorated substantially. Animal quarters were criticized as cramped and unhealthy, and the Humane Society characterized the institution as one of the worst zoos in the country. The city, local leaders, and supporters undertook a multiyear fundraising effort to rebuild the attraction. The original zoo closed on September 7, 1987, for a reconstruction reported at approximately $20 million. The first phase of the redesigned facility opened on March 5, 1988. Most of the former Fairyland landscape and older structures were removed, replaced by modern habitats and themed zones. The rebuilt zoo continued to develop through geographic and ecological exhibit areas. Asian Domain, one of the older sections, was renovated and renamed Asian Gardens in 2007. Wallaroo Station, an Australian-themed children’s area, opened in 2002 and received a major renovation before reopening in February 2015. Safari Africa incorporated African animals, a tram experience, and later the Ituri Forest area. Other principal areas developed around Florida wildlife, primates, free-flight birds, and raptors. Rides and splash attractions were added as part of the zoo’s family-oriented operating model. The institution also became increasingly focused on conservation. It established or participated in Species Survival Plan programs for numerous threatened species and developed specialized expertise in Florida wildlife. Its manatee hospital became a central part of the organization’s public mission, treating injured, sick, and orphaned wild manatees for possible return to the wild. The zoo works with federal and state wildlife agencies and has received professional recognition for its regional conservation work. The organization experienced serious governance and animal-management controversy in the 2000s. In 1993, a trainer died after being crushed by an Asian elephant, and the zoo temporarily relocated its elephants. In 2006, a Sumatran tiger escaped through an unlocked gate during renovations and was killed after tranquilization attempts failed. The incident generated public criticism and contributed to the formation of Tampa’s Zoo Advocates. A more extensive controversy followed the 2008 escape of patas monkeys from Safari Wild, a private animal attraction associated with then-director Lex Salisbury. An audit commissioned amid pressure from the city of Tampa identified questionable dealings involving animal transfers, construction projects, boarding payments, personal expenses, bonuses, and the use of zoo personnel. Salisbury resigned in December 2008. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums suspended the memberships of the zoo and collections director Larry Killmar over possible violations of animal-transfer rules and Species Survival Plan procedures. Following internal policy changes, both memberships were reinstated in March 2009. A later settlement required Salisbury to make a payment and return structures, fencing, and equipment built with zoo resources, without an admission of wrongdoing. In March 2018, the organization adopted the ZooTampa at Lowry Park name and launched updated branding. The change accompanied a broad renovation and expansion strategy intended to strengthen the zoo’s Tampa identity, improve visitor facilities, and support continued growth. Today, ZooTampa operates as an accredited nonprofit zoo, combining public education and entertainment with animal welfare, wildlife rescue, conservation breeding, and habitat-protection initiatives.
- 2018
ZooTampa at Lowry Park brand launches
[1]The institution introduced its current name, logo, and signage as part of a long-term renovation and expansion program.
- 2015
Wallaroo Station reopens after renovation
[1]The Australian children’s area reopened on February 27 following its first major renovation since opening.
- 2012
Manatee conservation receives AZA award
[1]The zoo was recognized for its work rescuing and rehabilitating North American manatees.
- 2009
AZA membership reinstated
[1]The zoo and Larry Killmar regained AZA membership after policy and procedural changes.
- 2008
Leadership crisis and AZA suspension
[1]The Safari Wild controversy led to an audit, the resignation of Lex Salisbury, and temporary suspension of AZA memberships.
- 2007
Asian Domain becomes Asian Gardens
[1]The zoo renovated and renamed one of its oldest themed areas.
- 2002
Wallaroo Station opens
[1]The Australian-themed children’s area opened as a major family attraction.
- 1993
Fatal elephant incident
[1]An elephant crushed a trainer, after which the zoo relocated its elephants for approximately a decade.
- 1988
Rebuilt zoo reopens
[1]The first phase of the redesigned Lowry Park Zoo opened on March 5.
- 1987
Major reconstruction begins
[1]The aging zoo closed for a comprehensive redevelopment supported by fundraising and the city of Tampa.
Products and positioning
A family-oriented, conservation-led zoological attraction that connects regional Florida wildlife protection with international species conservation and experiential entertainment.
Themed animal exhibit · 2007
Asian Gardens
A renovated Asian-themed habitat area containing species such as Indian rhinoceroses, Malayan tigers, Komodo dragons, sun bears, Malayan tapirs, babirusa, binturongs, gharials, and lowland anoa. Its Sulawesi aviary and pagoda-influenced design support an immersive geographic presentation.
Regional wildlife exhibit
Florida Wildlife Center
A large Florida-focused exhibit presenting animals associated with the state and neighboring regions, including American alligators, black bears, red wolves, manatees, skunks, and alligator snapping turtles. It also includes aquatic displays, reptiles, amphibians, and educational programming about native wildlife.
Primate exhibit
Primate World
A connected network of primate habitats linked by rocky waterfalls and waterways. The collection includes Bornean orangutans, siamangs, hamadryas baboons, mandrills, ring-tailed lemurs, golden lion tamarins, and black-and-white colobus monkeys.
Children’s zoo · 2002
Wallaroo Station Children’s Zoo
An Australian-themed family area featuring koalas, yellow-footed rock wallabies, emus, Australian singing dogs, cockatoos, and flying foxes. It combines animal encounters with a bat habitat, budgie experience, splash-play zone, children’s train, and family rides.
African wildlife exhibit
Safari Africa
An African-themed area with acacia landscaping, a safari tram, and species including giraffes, zebras, African elephants, southern white rhinoceroses, meerkats, patas monkeys, African penguins, crowned cranes, okapis, pygmy hippos, flamingos, and shoebill storks.
Free-flight aviary
Main Aviary
A planted free-flight aviary containing a diverse collection of birds and waterfowl, including hornbills, toucans, seriemas, ibises, storks, ducks, tanagers, birds-of-paradise, and sloths.
Wildlife presentation
Spirits of the Sky
An educational raptor presentation at the Zooventures Theater featuring birds such as bald eagles, Eurasian eagle-owls, and Andean condors, with emphasis on biology and wildlife protection.
Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation
Florida Manatee Hospital
A specialized nonprofit facility that provides critical care, rehabilitation, and release support for sick, injured, and orphaned wild Florida manatees in cooperation with federal and state wildlife agencies.
Controversies
2008
Safari Wild and governance controversy
An audit examined the zoo’s relationship with Safari Wild and identified questionable animal transfers, spending on private-property improvements, boarding payments, bonuses, travel charges, and use of employees. Director Lex Salisbury resigned under pressure in December 2008. A later settlement required payment and return of zoo-funded property without an admission of wrongdoing.
2006
Sumatran tiger escape
A tiger escaped through an unlocked gate into an area under renovation. The animal was killed after attempts to tranquilize it failed and it advanced toward a veterinarian. The incident triggered criticism of zoo procedures.
1993
Fatal Asian elephant incident
A 24-year-old trainer was crushed and killed by an Asian elephant. The zoo moved both elephants two weeks later and did not return elephants to the facility for approximately ten years.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018ZooTampa rebrand and expansion program
Tampa Bay region · Florida
The institution introduced a new name, logo, and signage to present itself as a Tampa-centered conservation and visitor organization while continuing a large renovation and expansion effort.
Outcome. The ZooTampa at Lowry Park identity became the organization’s public-facing brand.
- 1987Zoo reconstruction fundraising
Tampa · Florida
The zoo and civic supporters conducted a multiyear fundraising effort to replace deteriorated animal facilities and rebuild the institution as a modern zoological park.
Outcome. The original zoo closed in September 1987 and the rebuilt facility began reopening in March 1988.
Brand decisions
2018
Adopt the ZooTampa at Lowry Park brandStrategyBackground
The organization wanted to emphasize its Tampa identity and communicate its continuing renovation and expansion.
Action taken
The former Lowry Park Zoo introduced new naming, logo, and signage.
Aftermath
ZooTampa became the principal public-facing identity while retaining the Lowry Park location reference.
2018
Open Roaring SpringsProduct launchBackground
The zoo continued to expand its family-entertainment offer alongside animal and conservation programming.
Action taken
A three-story shoot-the-chutes attraction opened in June, replacing Gator Falls.
Aftermath
The ride became part of the zoo’s visitor-attraction portfolio.
2015
Renovate Wallaroo StationGeneration changeBackground
The Australian children’s area required modernization after more than a decade of operation.
Action taken
The zoo renovated Wallaroo Station and reopened it on February 27.
Aftermath
The area continued as a combined children’s zoo, animal-encounter, and family-attraction zone.
2008
Reorganize animal-transfer and governance proceduresStrategyBackground
The Safari Wild controversy led to an AZA suspension and scrutiny of animal transfers and internal controls.
Action taken
The zoo changed internal policies and procedures, while leadership changed following Salisbury’s resignation.
Aftermath
The AZA reinstated the zoo and Larry Killmar in March 2009.
2007
Renovate and rename the Asian DomainGeneration changeBackground
The zoo sought to modernize older themed areas and strengthen geographic exhibit interpretation.
Action taken
The Asian Domain was renovated and relaunched as Asian Gardens.
Aftermath
The area became a major presentation of Asian mammals, reptiles, and birds.
1987
Close and comprehensively rebuild the zooStrategyBackground
Animal enclosures and visitor facilities had deteriorated and were widely criticized as inadequate.
Action taken
The zoo closed for a major redevelopment supported by fundraising and the city of Tampa.
Aftermath
A redesigned zoological park opened in phases beginning in March 1988.
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