New major zoo to be built?

Arizona Docent

Arizona Docent

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
I just found a news item online stating that a brand new, 250 acre zoo may be built in Charlotte, North Carolina. I don't think they have started any construction, but they have a very impressive looking website with a well-drawn map (listed under master plan). It includes a full species list (by geographic region) and I am particularly intrigued by the fact that Asia lists golden cat. There are currently none in the U.S. and I would LOVE to see some again. Ape lovers will like the fact that African Forest includes bonobo and chimpanzee and gorilla.

Here's the link: Charlotte Zoo
 
NO WAY! My cousin lives in Charlotte. Whenever we visit we have to travel for about an hour to the nearest Zoo... Asheborough or Asheville or something like that...
 
From Arizona Docent: I just found a news item online stating that a brand new, 250 acre zoo may be built in Charlotte, North Carolina. I don't think they have started any construction, but they have a very impressive looking website with a well-drawn map (listed under master plan). It includes a full species list (by geographic region) and I am particularly intrigued by the fact that Asia lists golden cat. There are currently none in the U.S. and I would LOVE to see some again. Ape lovers will like the fact that African Forest includes bonobo and chimpanzee and gorilla.

Here's the link: Charlotte Zoo

Thanks for posting this thread. Other than Las Vegas, Charlotte is one of the few major ciities without a zoo. Best of luck to them.
 
The map looks nice but it's all very vague and the website doesn't really say who they are or who is behind the project. Having had a look at that forum discussion too I can see why people are skeptical.
 
My brother is attending a wedding in Charlotte NC and says to me why is there no zoo in Charlotte.So I told him about NC Zoo in Asheboro which no doubt is incredible but is 1.5 from Charlotte.Anyways I stumbled upon this thread while doing some more research for him.Does any one know where this project stands.With only one real zoo in the state of North Carolina,this would be a great thing.

Marty of Team Tapir
 
A google search brought up nothing. However, here is an interesting listing of animal places that are within a 100 mile radius. It includes two natural history museums right inside the city that appear to have some small live animal displays. Also of interest (outside the city) are two I have not heard of: Tiger World and Carolina Raptor Center. The former appears to be a white tiger breeding center, so I am sure it will incur the wrath of any ZooChatters who stumble upon this post. (I personally like white tigers, but I realize I am in the minority here.)

Zoos in Charlotte - Live Animals in Charlotte -
 
That sounds exciting for Charlotte residents. Will Vegas follow suit and build a nice zoo?
 
elefante said:
That sounds exciting for Charlotte residents. Will Vegas follow suit and build a nice zoo?
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Well, Charlotte has not actually done anything yet. There have been ideas for Las Vegas, but nothing has come to fruition. There is a very small and very bad zoo there that almost two decades ago bought a large plot of land to build a proper zoo. Not sure if they still own the property, but having visited the disgraceful zoo they have now, I would not trust anything they are involved with. More recently, a couple was trying to get momentum to build a zoo for Vegas, but nothing came of that as far as I know. Also, Zoo Australia was going to open some kind of major gorilla exhibit. I forget if that was an idea of Steve and Terri or if it was Terri after Steve had died. It was in conjuction with one of the big casinos if I remember correctly. Nothing came of that either.

Both Charlotte and Las Vegas really need proper zoos. I hope someone can get it done.
 
That article talked in circles a lot. What does everyone here think is the likelihood of Charlotte getting a zoo? Granted I'm too far away to probably ever visit it, but it's always nice to hear about other zoos.
 
elefante said:
That article talked in circles a lot. What does everyone here think is the likelihood of Charlotte getting a zoo? Granted I'm too far away to probably ever visit it, but it's always nice to hear about other zoos.
Click to expand...

Charlotte is a major financial center in the USA (Bank of America) and sooner or later the money will be there.

There is another group interested in starting a large, serious nature/animal/plant facility and they are legit.

Sooner or later something interesting will happen, I feel sure.
 
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