Nashville Zoo Nashville Zoo News

Nashville Zoo has been among the MOST successful fund raisers for new exhibits of any zoo. Do not confuse these funds with what was lost at the gate over the past 18 months. This has been in the works for a very long time.

Nashville Zoo has grown in leaps and bounds over the years. I visited once (2010), but since then the facility has added Flamingo Lagoon (late 2010), the Wilderness Express miniature train (2011), Kangaroo Kickabout (2013), Cassowarries (2014), a brand-new Entry Village and zip line (2016), Spider Monkey: Treetop Passage (2017), Expedition Peru: Trek of the Andean Bear (2018) and Tiger Crossroads and a Veterinary Center (2019). Wow!

Even with all the additions, the zoo's website states that "we recommend setting aside between 2 and 3 hours for your visit". With young children, I think that the Jungle Gym playground alone is a 2-3 hour visit! :) However, for a zoo nerd, the zoo is still only a half-day establishment and so obviously it is hugely exciting that a 40-acre African Safari section will be added over the next decade. On a side note, I know that when @Tim Brown was there 5 years ago, the zoo had numerous Giant Anteaters, Okapis and Banded Palm Civets all behind the scenes. It would be neat to see those species incorporated into on-show exhibits in the future.
 
The zoo still has some of the covers bts afaik. They sent some animals to Brights Zoo where they are already on-exhibit.

~Thylo
 
The zoo still has some of the covers bts afaik. They sent some animals to Brights Zoo where they are already on-exhibit.

~Thylo

Damn autocorrect :p Too late to edit but this is obviously supposed to say civet.

EDIT: I've also been informed that they are actually not on-exhibit at Bright's :oops:

~Thylo
 
Damn autocorrect :p Too late to edit but this is obviously supposed to say civet.

EDIT: I've also been informed that they are actually not on-exhibit at Bright's :oops:

~Thylo

I didn't think they were on exhibit yet so I was confused. Though I bet Dave would love to get some of those Okapi.
 
I didn't think they were on exhibit yet so I was confused. Though I bet Dave would love to get some of those Okapi.

They have an exhibit with a sign, but they aren't let out during the day. The animals are pretty strictly nocturnal and they've been unable to "trick" them like zoos manage to do with some species using lights. They are always kept shut inside during the day, there's no chance of them being out.
 
After the discussion about elephants at Nashville, I decide to go an email the zoo myself and see whats going on. Here is the response I got.

"We would certainly welcome the opportunity to bring elephants back to Nashville Zoo. However, the ability to acquire African elephants has become increasingly difficult in the past several years. There are not many herds available in North America and Africa has imposed new restrictions on relocating herds in managed wildlife areas. We will continue to look for opportunities in hopes that we can acquire a herd in the coming years."

So basically, exactly what @ThylacineAlive theorized. The zoo wants elephants, but the issue of finding available animals is the big obstacle in the way.
 
Nashville was a part of the permit sponsored by the Pittsburgh Zoo a few years ago along with Maryland, Kansas City, Sedgwick County, and Natural Bridge Zoo to import as many 40 individuals split between the six facilities. That permit was rescinded after the AZA facilities dropped out. The goal at the time was to resubmit with only AZA members, but that permit has not been submitted yet, if one has been even started.
 
Nashville was a part of the permit sponsored by the Pittsburgh Zoo a few years ago along with Maryland, Kansas City, Sedgwick County, and Natural Bridge Zoo to import as many 40 individuals split between the six facilities. That permit was rescinded after the AZA facilities dropped out. The goal at the time was to resubmit with only AZA members, but that permit has not been submitted yet, if one has been even started.
It would be good if they had the nerves to do it now. I am sure that countries like Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe would welcome a wild - zoo captive-breeding purposes animal transfer / trade under CITES.
 
First look and more details on the new African expansion adding 40 acres to the park across five phases of construction. Species included in this development would highlight some of the key species like vultures, cranes (plans show Blue Cranes), flamingos, hippo, hyenas, cheetah, giraffe, mandrills and lions among many others.

A 12-minute boat ride, walking path, restaurant and lodge will also be included in the development. It will approximately take 5-10 years to fully complete. Phase one will start later this year and will be open around spring 2023. This first phase will see exhibits for DeBrazza's Monkeys, Black-and-white Colobus, leopards (photo in news report shows a cheetah though), Rock Hyraxes and Klipspringers.

Full article and news report that shows some of the designs: Nashville Zoo's Africa Safari: First look at new expansion

In the picture of the savanna exhibit, it looks like there are secretary birds. Can they go in with giraffes and antelope?
 
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