Zoo Atlanta Zoo Atlanta Former Species

J

JVM

Well-Known Member
10+ year member
Did some basic research after my trip into former species at Zoo Atlanta, welcome contributions from other zoochatters.

Carnivore Complex/Asian Forest
- Asian small-clawed otter (left pre-2014)
- Raccoon Dog (passed 2021)
- Bush Dog (passed 2019)
- Fossa (passed 2025)
- Clouded Leopard (passed 2025)
- Rhinoceros Hornbill (left pre-2022)
- Reeves' Muntjac (left pre-2010)
- Giant Panda (left 2024)

The ASCO were in the current giant otter habitat, bush dog were in the current patagonian cavy habitat, muntjac and raccoon dog were at different times in a currently empty habitat. Rhinoceros hornbill were in the current wrinkled hornbill enclosure. The panda exhibit is closed and the clouded leopard habitat is blocked off for now.

Ford African Rainforest
- Bongo (left 2017)
- Sunbittern (reported in 2022)

Sunbittern were in the Living Treehouse. I'm a bit unclear on the Bongo.

Masai Mara/Savanna
- Ellipsen Waterbuck (pre-2012?)
- Lesser Kudu (2012 - 2016)
- Bontebok (arrived 2022)
- Black Rhinoceros (left 2017)
- Yellowbacked Duiker (reported 2017)

Waterbuck, kudu and bontebok were all mixed into the giraffe/ostrich/zebra yard but none of them concurrently with one another. I believe Black Rhinoceros and Yellow-backed Duiker were phased out when renovations to Masai Mara began into the current Savanna area, but could be incorrect.

Orkin Children's Zoo
- Geoffery's Tamarins (reported in 2018)
- American Alligator (left 2012)
- Red Kangaroo (left 2018)
- Bald Eagle (passed 2024)
- Cassowary (passed 2020)

Bald Eagle were in the current Red-tailed hawk enclosure. I am uncertain on the rest but it sounds that the American Alligator were in a pond similar to the current turtle pond, Geoffery's tamarins mixed with golden lion tamarins, and kangaroo may be where the alpaca are now. Cassowary I am less sure.

Unknown
- African Grey Parrot (passed 2022)
- Wattled Crane (reported in 2020)

Slimy Scaly Spectacular
- Reticulated Python
- Green Anaconda (left in 2025)
- King Cobra (left 2019)

This area changes particularly frequently, from what I can tell. The former anaconda enclosure is now home to an elderly Jamaican iguana.


World of Reptiles
- Gharial

It was explicitly mentioned they were one of the species to not move over from the old reptile building when Scaly Slimy Spectacular was constructed.
 
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JVM said:
Did some basic research after my trip into former species at Zoo Atlanta, welcome contributions from other zoochatters.

Carnivore Complex/Asian Forest
- Asian small-clawed otter (left pre-2014)
- Raccoon Dog (passed 2021)
- Bush Dog (passed 2019)
- Fossa (passed 2025)
- Clouded Leopard (passed 2025)
- Rhinoceros Hornbill (left pre-2022)
- Reeves' Muntjac (left pre-2010)
- Giant Panda (left 2024)

The ASCO were in the current giant otter habitat, bush dog were in the current patagonian cavy habitat, muntjac and raccoon dog were at different times in a currently empty habitat. Rhinoceros hornbill were in the current wrinkled hornbill enclosure. The panda exhibit is closed and the clouded leopard habitat is blocked off for now.

Ford African Rainforest
- Bongo (left 2017)
- Sunbittern (reported in 2022)

Sunbittern were in the Living Treehouse. I'm a bit unclear on the Bongo.

Masai Mara/Savanna
- Ellipsen Waterbuck (pre-2012?)
- Lesser Kudu (2012 - 2016)
- Bontebok (arrived 2022)
- Black Rhinoceros (left 2017)
- Yellowbacked Duiker (reported 2017)

Waterbuck, kudu and bontebok were all mixed into the giraffe/ostrich/zebra yard but none of them concurrently with one another. I believe Black Rhinoceros and Yellow-backed Duiker were phased out when renovations to Masai Mara began into the current Savanna area, but could be incorrect.

Orkin Children's Zoo
- Geoffery's Tamarins (reported in 2018)
- American Alligator (left 2012)
- Red Kangaroo (left 2018)
- Bald Eagle (passed 2024)
- Cassowary (passed 2020)

Bald Eagle were in the current Red-tailed hawk enclosure. I am uncertain on the rest but it sounds that the American Alligator were in a pond similar to the current turtle pond, Geoffery's tamarins mixed with golden lion tamarins, and kangaroo may be where the alpaca are now. Cassowary I am less sure.

Unknown
- African Grey Parrot (passed 2022)
- Wattled Crane (reported in 2020)

Slimy Scaly Spectacular
- Reticulated Python
- Green Anaconda (left in 2025)
- King Cobra (left 2019)

This area changes particularly frequently, from what I can tell. The former anaconda enclosure is now home to an elderly Jamaican iguana.


World of Reptiles
- Gharial

It was explicitly mentioned they were one of the species to not move over from the old reptile building when Scaly Slimy Spectacular was constructed.
Click to expand...

Thanks this is an incredible list, such a shame to see so many lost species. Would love to see some of the hoofstock returned and be mixed with their giraffes or zebras, or white rhinos, would love to see all the herps return, and think that the bongo could add another iconic species to complete their african forest. Would also like to see the children's zone converted to a South American (tamarins, sloths, alligators, jaguar, SA birds, etc.) or Australian (kangaroos, cassowary, koalas, birds) themed children's zone area. Would do a good job rounding out the zoo's collection.
 
PSO said:
Chinese Giant Salmander were kept in the reptile house around 2006
Click to expand...
Thank you!

BenFoxster said:
Thanks this is an incredible list, such a shame to see so many lost species. Would love to see some of the hoofstock returned and be mixed with their giraffes or zebras, or white rhinos, would love to see all the herps return, and think that the bongo could add another iconic species to complete their african forest. Would also like to see the children's zone converted to a South American (tamarins, sloths, alligators, jaguar, SA birds, etc.) or Australian (kangaroos, cassowary, koalas, birds) themed children's zone area. Would do a good job rounding out the zoo's collection.
Click to expand...
I definitely hope a hoofstock species could return at some point, it seems like a major hole to be missing out on. Hopefully with the new zebra and ostrich introductions once they settle in a new antelope could be a future addition.

All but koalas and jaguar have been held in the Children's Zoo area in the recent past, so it probably wouldn't require massive infrastructure changes to reconfigure the children's area into Australian and South American zones.
 
The bongo exhibit was located to the left of the entrance path to Slimy Scaly Spectacular, if memory serves.

Some muntjac species was signed at an enclosure near the tiger as of 2016. I didn't actually see a muntjac, though. Another visitor asked me what was supposed to be in the exhibit, I told him it was a small deer, and he jokingly asked if it was so small we couldn't see it.

I think budgerigar need to be added to the list. Their walk-through aviary was removed a few years back, wasn't it?
 
This may be going further back than this thread is intended for, but Heck horses (AKA: Reconstituted Tarpans) were evidently held at Zoo Atlanta from 1969 to at least 1975.
 
Wisp O' Mist said:
This may be going further back than this thread is intended for, but Heck horses (AKA: Reconstituted Tarpans) were evidently held at Zoo Atlanta from 1969 to at least 1975.
Click to expand...
It is a further back than I was reaching, but relevant to the thread and very interesting all the same! I hadn't even realized Heck Horses were displayed in the US.
 
Fully updated list including a few re-listed from above. SSS has seen a lot of change!

Scaly Slimy Spectacular
  • American Alligator (left 2017-18)
  • Reticulated Python (last reported 2023)
  • Green Anaconda (left in 2025)
  • Blood Python (reported 2019)
  • King Cobra (left 2019)
  • Black Mamba (reported 2015)
  • Armenian Viper (reported 2015)
  • Painted Terrapin (reported 2019)
  • Black-Throated Monitor (reported 2018)
  • Merten's Water Monitor (reported 2018)
  • Neotropical Bird Snake (reported 2021)
  • Bog Turtle
  • Matamata
  • Caiman Lizard
  • Pygmy Rattlesnake
  • Meller's chameleon

(All below last reported 2023)
  • Gaboon Viper
  • Papaun Python
  • Eyelash Palm Viper
  • Common Puffing Snake
  • Short-tailed Python
  • Red-Eyed Leaf Frog
  • Plumed Basilisk
  • Common Corn Snake
  • Rock Rattlesnake
  • Speckled Rattlesnake
  • Green-black Poison Dart Frog
  • Pilbara Spiny-tailed Skink
  • Rough Knob-tailed Gecko
  • Smallwood's Giant Anole
  • Mona Coqui
  • Chinese Box Turtle
  • Green Tree Python
  • Louisiana Pine Snake
  • Mexican Green Alligator Lizard
  • Spiny-headed Tree Frog
  • Black Python
  • Northern Caiman Lizard
  • Woma Python
  • Radiated Tortoise
  • Gray Ratsnake
  • Eastern Ratsnake
 
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