I had a business trip to Jackson that enabled me to stop by here for a while on a Tuesday afternoon. Jackson is a zoo that is truly struggling in all facets of the word. After closing in September 2019 they lost their USDA license and did not open again until August 2020.
They are ZAA and USDA accredited, but they voluntarily gave up their AZA accreditation in 2016, which frankly is shocking that the AZA allowed them to be accredited up to that point given that they had some truly terrible cages at that point.
This place needs help. I am not sure what can be done, but they really need to work on aligning with local businesses, perhaps a out of state zoo partnership, and local resources that can assist with general maintenance and upkeep. Visitor paths are falling apart, animal signage is loose and in some places laying on the ground, the bird walk aviaries are in bad condition, parts of the zoo are chained closed, and there are far to many vacant exhibits. I have some ideas on how to remedy some of these issues, but that is outside the scope of this thread.
Driving into the zoo is a challenge....the roads are full of holes and the surrounding area is really not a good part of town. To be honest I did not feel safe leaving my bags in the car, but I also did not really have a choice.
Entry:
The entry is nicely designed and parking is easy along the park and in front of the zoo. Entry on Tuesdays is $2, other days it is $8. $2 is fair for the zoo.....$8 would feel a little expensive. $5 would be a good medium price. Oh, and cash only. They do not accept credit cards - make sure you bring cash as there is also not an ATM locally. When I was there only a few other cars were parked and I think there was 5 or 6 other people in the zoo....
Asian Gardens:
Immediately after entering you have the giraffe yard on your right, which is now empty as the lone giraffe died in December 2022. Beside that is another empty exhibit that has been empty since at least 2012 according to old photos here. Next in line is the former orangutan grotto, which saw the apes removed in 2017 and replaced with an Asiatic black bear. It's an OK grotto for a bear, it would have been abysmal for orangutans, so at least that is an improvement.
Empty giraffe yard:
Empty exhibit:
Asiatic Black bear exhibit:
Next after the bear is a rather nice exhibit for Sumatran tiger, which is a surprise at a non-AZA zoo, but seeing as they were AZA until 2016 I can see why. This is one of the newer habitats, and it shows. On balance it is better than some AZA tiger enclosures, I am particularly thinking ZooTampa for comparison.
Opposite the tigers are two cages for gibbons and fishing cats. Both are OK, but not great. But I don't really have any complaints. I think the gibbons are in what was at one time the Amur leopard enclosure. A recent news report stated the fishing cat exhibit was empty, but I saw one, so that is still inhabited.
Gibbon:
Fishing cat:
Flamingo, Upper and Lower Ponds:
That rounds out "Asian Garden" and takes us to the Flamingo pond, which is now vacant. It previously held American flamingo, nene, and crested screamer. The screamers were moved to the "Lower Pond", but I don't know about the nene.....the flamingo were killed in a "predation event" last year. Even though it is vacant, the pond is nicely done and the surrounding yard is green. The "Upper Pond" has black necked swan and is kind of hidden. "Lower Pond" has black necked swan, crested screamer, and supposedly other water birds, but none were to be seen. All three ponds are very pleasant and nicely designed spaces.
Wilderness Mississippi:
Next to Asian Garden and the pond is Wilderness Mississippi, what is supposedly the premier and newest area of the zoo. I say supposedly as both the main "Water Creatures" and "Backyard Creatures" buildings were chained shut. I cannot say if they still hold the otter, beaver, and snakes in those buildings. I can say the only viewable inhabitants are American alligators and cougars, both are in modern and nice looking enclosures. There is also another vacant habitat that I believe held American black bear most recently. Supposedly they have a rescued black bear, but I did not see it anywhere.
Cougars:
Chained shut "Water Creatures" building:
Bird Walk:
Behind Wilderness Mississippi is the Bird Walk area which holds red-ruffed lemur and various birds. Sadly, this area is the most dilapidated part of the zoo. The walk ways are in such disrepair that parts are taped off with caution tape and you cannot get close enough to the aviaries that are occupied to look into the dark interiors. The enclosures themselves seem to be held together with mostly hope and prayers. The Birds of Australia sign was on the ground leaning against the exhibit, which was caution taped off due to the wood walkway coming apart.
One exhibit had all the screen removed and was being used for storage, several others were empty. The blue and gold macaw and black hornbill were encased in plastic, but you could still see the macaw, but not the hornbill. I kind of doubt they were in there.
The kookaburra enclosure was OK, apparently it held prarie dogs at one time. The red-ruffed lemur was adequate if basic.
Birds of Oceania:
Birds of Australia:
Bird Walk:
African Savanna:
Leaving the sad Bird Walk takes you to the African Savanna, also one of the newer parts of the zoo. There are two main savanna yards and one large yard for southern white rhino. The rhino yard was previously for elephants, so it is spacious and fine. The other savanna yards have plenty of space for the few inhabitants. Zebra and klipspringer in one and sabal antelope and ostrich in the other. Unfortunately both are surrounded by large black fences, making viewing and pictures difficult.
Zebra yard:
White rhino:
African Forest:
The last main area is the African Forest, which is probably the most complete and nice area of the zoo at this point. No exhibit was empty and all were adequate to nice. The first inhabitant is a pygmy hippo in a massive yard with a natural pool. The amount of land space given them is pretty incredible compared to many zoos. Across from the hippo are common chimpanzee on their own island, which was decently designed. Again, comparing it to ZooTampa's former chimp habitat this is better.
Following the chimps are two large cages for colobus/guenon and diana monkey as well as another cage for colobus. All three monkey exhibits were nicely designed and while not large were spacious enough. Between the monkeys is a very large yard for red river hogs.
Hippo pond:
Chimp island:
Colobus/Guenon:
Diana Monkey:
Leaving the African Forest takes you to the last yard....an empty enclosure that most recently held red wolf.
Empty (former red wolf):
In conclusion, this zoo is in a sad state. It desperately needs basic maintenance for both the animals and the visitor areas. The concessions, gift shop, and main buildings are all closed. I am glad that I went, but something really must be done here. The highlights are African Forest and the Sumatran tigers, most everything else is closed or disappointing or empty. There are at least 7 major exhibits that are empty as well as quite a few smaller exhibits.
They are ZAA and USDA accredited, but they voluntarily gave up their AZA accreditation in 2016, which frankly is shocking that the AZA allowed them to be accredited up to that point given that they had some truly terrible cages at that point.
This place needs help. I am not sure what can be done, but they really need to work on aligning with local businesses, perhaps a out of state zoo partnership, and local resources that can assist with general maintenance and upkeep. Visitor paths are falling apart, animal signage is loose and in some places laying on the ground, the bird walk aviaries are in bad condition, parts of the zoo are chained closed, and there are far to many vacant exhibits. I have some ideas on how to remedy some of these issues, but that is outside the scope of this thread.
Driving into the zoo is a challenge....the roads are full of holes and the surrounding area is really not a good part of town. To be honest I did not feel safe leaving my bags in the car, but I also did not really have a choice.
Entry:
The entry is nicely designed and parking is easy along the park and in front of the zoo. Entry on Tuesdays is $2, other days it is $8. $2 is fair for the zoo.....$8 would feel a little expensive. $5 would be a good medium price. Oh, and cash only. They do not accept credit cards - make sure you bring cash as there is also not an ATM locally. When I was there only a few other cars were parked and I think there was 5 or 6 other people in the zoo....
Asian Gardens:
Immediately after entering you have the giraffe yard on your right, which is now empty as the lone giraffe died in December 2022. Beside that is another empty exhibit that has been empty since at least 2012 according to old photos here. Next in line is the former orangutan grotto, which saw the apes removed in 2017 and replaced with an Asiatic black bear. It's an OK grotto for a bear, it would have been abysmal for orangutans, so at least that is an improvement.
Empty giraffe yard:
Empty exhibit:
Asiatic Black bear exhibit:
Next after the bear is a rather nice exhibit for Sumatran tiger, which is a surprise at a non-AZA zoo, but seeing as they were AZA until 2016 I can see why. This is one of the newer habitats, and it shows. On balance it is better than some AZA tiger enclosures, I am particularly thinking ZooTampa for comparison.
Opposite the tigers are two cages for gibbons and fishing cats. Both are OK, but not great. But I don't really have any complaints. I think the gibbons are in what was at one time the Amur leopard enclosure. A recent news report stated the fishing cat exhibit was empty, but I saw one, so that is still inhabited.
Gibbon:
Fishing cat:
Flamingo, Upper and Lower Ponds:
That rounds out "Asian Garden" and takes us to the Flamingo pond, which is now vacant. It previously held American flamingo, nene, and crested screamer. The screamers were moved to the "Lower Pond", but I don't know about the nene.....the flamingo were killed in a "predation event" last year. Even though it is vacant, the pond is nicely done and the surrounding yard is green. The "Upper Pond" has black necked swan and is kind of hidden. "Lower Pond" has black necked swan, crested screamer, and supposedly other water birds, but none were to be seen. All three ponds are very pleasant and nicely designed spaces.
Wilderness Mississippi:
Next to Asian Garden and the pond is Wilderness Mississippi, what is supposedly the premier and newest area of the zoo. I say supposedly as both the main "Water Creatures" and "Backyard Creatures" buildings were chained shut. I cannot say if they still hold the otter, beaver, and snakes in those buildings. I can say the only viewable inhabitants are American alligators and cougars, both are in modern and nice looking enclosures. There is also another vacant habitat that I believe held American black bear most recently. Supposedly they have a rescued black bear, but I did not see it anywhere.
Cougars:
Chained shut "Water Creatures" building:
Bird Walk:
Behind Wilderness Mississippi is the Bird Walk area which holds red-ruffed lemur and various birds. Sadly, this area is the most dilapidated part of the zoo. The walk ways are in such disrepair that parts are taped off with caution tape and you cannot get close enough to the aviaries that are occupied to look into the dark interiors. The enclosures themselves seem to be held together with mostly hope and prayers. The Birds of Australia sign was on the ground leaning against the exhibit, which was caution taped off due to the wood walkway coming apart.
One exhibit had all the screen removed and was being used for storage, several others were empty. The blue and gold macaw and black hornbill were encased in plastic, but you could still see the macaw, but not the hornbill. I kind of doubt they were in there.
The kookaburra enclosure was OK, apparently it held prarie dogs at one time. The red-ruffed lemur was adequate if basic.
Birds of Oceania:
Birds of Australia:
Bird Walk:
African Savanna:
Leaving the sad Bird Walk takes you to the African Savanna, also one of the newer parts of the zoo. There are two main savanna yards and one large yard for southern white rhino. The rhino yard was previously for elephants, so it is spacious and fine. The other savanna yards have plenty of space for the few inhabitants. Zebra and klipspringer in one and sabal antelope and ostrich in the other. Unfortunately both are surrounded by large black fences, making viewing and pictures difficult.
Zebra yard:
White rhino:
African Forest:
The last main area is the African Forest, which is probably the most complete and nice area of the zoo at this point. No exhibit was empty and all were adequate to nice. The first inhabitant is a pygmy hippo in a massive yard with a natural pool. The amount of land space given them is pretty incredible compared to many zoos. Across from the hippo are common chimpanzee on their own island, which was decently designed. Again, comparing it to ZooTampa's former chimp habitat this is better.
Following the chimps are two large cages for colobus/guenon and diana monkey as well as another cage for colobus. All three monkey exhibits were nicely designed and while not large were spacious enough. Between the monkeys is a very large yard for red river hogs.
Hippo pond:
Chimp island:
Colobus/Guenon:
Diana Monkey:
Leaving the African Forest takes you to the last yard....an empty enclosure that most recently held red wolf.
Empty (former red wolf):
In conclusion, this zoo is in a sad state. It desperately needs basic maintenance for both the animals and the visitor areas. The concessions, gift shop, and main buildings are all closed. I am glad that I went, but something really must be done here. The highlights are African Forest and the Sumatran tigers, most everything else is closed or disappointing or empty. There are at least 7 major exhibits that are empty as well as quite a few smaller exhibits.
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With fixing vs starting fresh, it can often be cheaper to start anew instead of having to dismantle/get rid of problems. They could likely do well with a much smaller footprint and some easier species. The chimps, especially, really need to find a new home, since they require so much attention. 