Memphis Zoo Memphis Zoo News 2025

Milwaukee Man said:
$20 million was given to the Zoo thanks to the state governor’s new budget plan. It’ll go towards the upcoming African expansion, which will include an African elephant breeding facility, new homes for giraffes and rhinos, and more.

State commits $20M for Memphis Zoo expansion
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That is a good start for getting the African expansion project on the road! I am excited and quite eager to see them plans for African elephant (a breeding facility to that....!!!!!) and new much bigger digs for both large mammals like giraffe and rhinos (I assume the total area at 14 acres will also include new accomodation for other African hoofstock .... Memphis is in need of some modern digs for these too and hopefully a few nice hoofstock additions...!).

If someone sees the plans and or outlay for the new accomodations, themed area and total outlay ... (if part of some design download (by commissioned architects or builders) or the new Masterplan, I (and probably quite a few other Zoochat local readers and posters would love to see them plans et cetera!)!!!!!
 
On March 19th, the zoo announced that (1.1) Harlequin sheep named Beast Boy and Starfire were born on March 17th which are now on exhibit. On March 26th, the zoo announced that another (0.1) Harlequin sheep named Raven was born which is now on exhibit

7.1K views · 445 reactions | Springing into action to save the world... It’s Beast Boy and Starfire! Born on St. Patrick’s Day, these curious lambs are already out exploring. Starfire has a solid pattern on her back, while Beast Boy has spots! Stop by Once Upon A Farm and say hi! #memphiszoo #lamb #babyanimals #cute #cuteanimals #love #lambs | Memphis Zoo
5.1K views · 1.2K reactions | When there’s trouble, you know who to call... Raven! We’ve got ANOTHER lamb ready to save the world. Joining the super team of Beast Boy and Starfire, Raven is easy to identify with her all-black pattern and adorable dimples! Join our lambs and the rest of our farm friends this Saturday for Farm Fest, included with your admission! Our lambs will be outside weather permitting. #memphiszoo #raven #lamb #baby #babyanimals #love #teentitans #animals | Memphis Zoo

On March 30th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) eastern bongo named Marvin from the Houston Zoo in Texas which is now on exhibit.

3.2K views · 451 reactions | Sparring is how our bongo boys like to play—while also practicing their technique and getting stronger. You may have noticed we now have three handsome fellas on the Veldt—please join us in welcoming Marvin to the herd! Marvin, who came from the Houston Zoo, has settled in great with Birch and Frankie. His Keepers say he’s super sweet, and he’s a good sparring partner. Here’s how to tell them apart: Birch is the biggest, Marvin is next, and Frankie is the smallest, with a lighter coat and has horns that are still growing! #memphiszoo #bongo #sparring #theboys #animals #cute | Memphis Zoo
 
How did the Memphis Zoo pass AZA accreditation again? Did they make several renovations/policy changes? The zoo had 12 USDA citations in 2024, several of which included deceased animals due to human error/enclosure failure.
 
On April 20th, the zoo announced they will transfer a (1.0) generic giraffe named Fitz to another unspecified facility in the near future.

29K views · 1.6K reactions | Fitz had to tell his bestie Finn over at Highpoint Haven all about the exciting things happening lately! In addition to celebrating his first birthday, Fitz wanted everyone to know he’ll soon be leaving Memphis Zoo to meet some new friends. While it’s bittersweet, this move is part of a bigger mission to support the continued success of breeding and conservation efforts for reticulated giraffes. Born on April 2, 2024, “Fitz” is the tenth calf of giraffe “Niklas” and the fourth calf of “Wendy”. He quickly became a fan favorite, developing a big personality and a fanbase on social media, especially with the help of his keepers! Watching him grow up on the African Veldt has been so fun! As male giraffes mature, they begin to compete within the herd for attention from the females, so as part of the AZA’s Species Survival Plan (SSP), it’s time for Fitz to move on. The SSP is a collaborative program through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums that helps pair animals to support successful breeding. His next chapter will help ensure a healthy future for his species. Be sure to visit the Veldt and say goodbye to Fitz before he embarks on his exciting new adventure! #memphiszoo #fitzthegiraffe #giraffe #love #animals #giraffes | Memphis Zoo

On April 22nd, it was reported that the zoo is seeking $3M in operational support from local government after a dip of 20% in attendance led to deficits.

https://wreg.com/news/local/memphis...ropped-after-2022-crimes-leading-to-deficits/
 
Memphis Zoo has presented their master plan to the Memphis City Council. This can be found in a presentation starting at 26 minutes into the city council meeting.

The images are not the clearest but I have summarized the information I caught from it below:
  • The zoos three main projects in the next few years are a new stingray exhibit, African Veldt, and Oceans to Forest.
  • The Stingray exhibit will be permanent and themed to a mangrove forest. It is slated to feature three tanks, one touch tank for small sharks and rays, as well as 2 tanks for other mangrove dwelling species. The zoo is planning to use live mangrove trees as well, which should be a unique experience. This will likely open in the next year.
  • The African Veldt redevelopment has been mentioned before but we got more detail today and an overview. The species list as of now is African elephant, giraffe, rhinoceros, hyena, okapi, meerkat, and hoofstock (unknown species). The development will include new barns for elephant and giraffe in this 14 acre complex, which will also feature a new restaurant. This exhibit is slated to begin construction in approximately a year and will cost $75 million, with most of these funds having been raised already through a mix of state and private funding.
  • Oceans to Forest will be the last of the projects completed with fundraising ongoing for the next several years. This will be a hybrid aquarium-rainforest house and from my estimation should be close to an acre in size. The species list was not mentioned but it appears to have 2 large ocean tanks for coral reefs and sharks, and a series of 4 walkthrough animal zones for a mix of species from rainforests and cloud forests. It will also include some outdoor exhibits.
  • Long-term it does seem the zoo has 2 additional major projects planned, a renovated children's zoo and a new South American area in the NW corner of the zoo (Andean bear, tapir, jaguar, penguin, monkeys...).

 
nczoofan said:
Memphis Zoo has presented their master plan to the Memphis City Council. This can be found in a presentation starting at 26 minutes into the city council meeting.

The images are not the clearest but I have summarized the information I caught from it below:
  • The zoos three main projects in the next few years are a new stingray exhibit, African Veldt, and Oceans to Forest.
  • The Stingray exhibit will be permanent and themed to a mangrove forest. It is slated to feature three tanks, one touch tank for small sharks and rays, as well as 2 tanks for other mangrove dwelling species. The zoo is planning to use live mangrove trees as well, which should be a unique experience. This will likely open in the next year.
  • The African Veldt redevelopment has been mentioned before but we got more detail today and an overview. The species list as of now is African elephant, giraffe, rhinoceros, hyena, okapi, meerkat, and hoofstock (unknown species). The development will include new barns for elephant and giraffe in this 14 acre complex, which will also feature a new restaurant. This exhibit is slated to begin construction in approximately a year and will cost $75 million, with most of these funds having been raised already through a mix of state and private funding.
  • Oceans to Forest will be the last of the projects completed with fundraising ongoing for the next several years. This will be a hybrid aquarium-rainforest house and from my estimation should be close to an acre in size. The species list was not mentioned but it appears to have 2 large ocean tanks for coral reefs and sharks, and a series of 4 walkthrough animal zones for a mix of species from rainforests and cloud forests. It will also include some outdoor exhibits.
  • Long-term it does seem the zoo has 2 additional major projects planned, a renovated children's zoo and a new South American area in the NW corner of the zoo (Andean bear, tapir, jaguar, penguin, monkeys...).

Click to expand...

Surprised by the inclusion of okapi, does that mean they'll move out of Zambezi river camp and into African Veldt? I feel like zebras would have been a more fitting species, but oh well. Glad to see iconic species like elephants, rhinos, and giraffe staying, and glad to see a major aza zoo showing interest in hyenas.
 
nczoofan said:
Memphis Zoo has presented their master plan to the Memphis City Council. This can be found in a presentation starting at 26 minutes into the city council meeting.

The images are not the clearest but I have summarized the information I caught from it below:
  • The zoos three main projects in the next few years are a new stingray exhibit, African Veldt, and Oceans to Forest.
  • The Stingray exhibit will be permanent and themed to a mangrove forest. It is slated to feature three tanks, one touch tank for small sharks and rays, as well as 2 tanks for other mangrove dwelling species. The zoo is planning to use live mangrove trees as well, which should be a unique experience. This will likely open in the next year.
  • The African Veldt redevelopment has been mentioned before but we got more detail today and an overview. The species list as of now is African elephant, giraffe, rhinoceros, hyena, okapi, meerkat, and hoofstock (unknown species). The development will include new barns for elephant and giraffe in this 14 acre complex, which will also feature a new restaurant. This exhibit is slated to begin construction in approximately a year and will cost $75 million, with most of these funds having been raised already through a mix of state and private funding.
  • Oceans to Forest will be the last of the projects completed with fundraising ongoing for the next several years. This will be a hybrid aquarium-rainforest house and from my estimation should be close to an acre in size. The species list was not mentioned but it appears to have 2 large ocean tanks for coral reefs and sharks, and a series of 4 walkthrough animal zones for a mix of species from rainforests and cloud forests. It will also include some outdoor exhibits.
  • Long-term it does seem the zoo has 2 additional major projects planned, a renovated children's zoo and a new South American area in the NW corner of the zoo (Andean bear, tapir, jaguar, penguin, monkeys...).

Click to expand...
The images in question - interesting that they're planning to switch from African penguins to Humboldt or Magellanic penguins, but a new South American section in the same vein as Teton Trek, Northwest Passage, China or Zambezi River Hippo Camp sounds intriguing!
 

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The Memphis Zoo acquired ownership of two California sea lions, 0.1 Pearl and 1.0 Xander, from the Oklahoma City Zoo on March 24th, 2025. The pair, both rescued in 2003 by the Pacific Marine Mammal Center and long-time residents of the OKC Zoo, were transferred to Memphis on December 12th, 2022.
 
Did Memphis Zoo send some patas monkeys to another zoo? Do they still have some patas monkeys?
 
Piece of April 2025 News Not Mentioned:

On April 26th, the zoo announced they opened a new dual zipline attraction called Predator Vs. Predator to the public.

Memphis Zoo

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On June 11th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) Caspian horse named Thunder passed away in April at age 28 due to a sharp decline in health caused by Cushing's disease and laminitis.

Caring Through Their Golden Years: Saying Goodbye to Senior Animals

On June 11th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) aardvark named Boss Hog passed away at age 28, a (1.0) alligator snapping turtle named Gumbo passed away at around age 100, and a (1.0) Komodo dragon named Jeff passed away at age 28 in March due to a sharp decline in health.

Caring Through Their Golden Years: Saying Goodbye to Senior Animals
 
On June 14th, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (0.1) southern ground hornbill to Cameron Park Zoo in Texas.

Cameron Park Zoo

On June 30th, the zoo announced they will transfer (0.1) Sumatran tiger Suci to another unspecified facility in the upcoming days.

30K views · 789 reactions | Memphis Zoo announces that Sumatran tiger "Suci" will now be moving to another zoological facility. This important step supports the continued... | By Memphis Zoo | Facebook

* Worth noting in September 2024, the zoo transferred 2 common raccoons to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Washington.
 
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