Memphis Zoo
Welcome to the Memphis Zoo!
About Us
In 2008, the Memphis Zoo was ranked America’s No.1 zoo by TripAdvisor.com. In 2009, the Memphis Zoo was rated the "top zoo in the country" in a national survey by Morey Associates.
The Memphis Zoo has completed more than $90 million in remodel and expansions, since the early 1990s. The Zoo's animal inhabitants consist of Once Upon A Farm, Cat Country, Primate Canyon, Animals of the Night, Northwest Passage and CHINA.
In April 2003, the Memphis Zoo became one of four zoos in the United States to exhibit giant pandas. Giant pandas "Ya Ya" and "Le Le" live in the Zoo’s exhibit, CHINA – a brand new, three-acre facility that features animals that are native to China.
The Memphis Zoo is home to the world’s longest living hippopotamus, “Adonis," who died in 1965 at the age of 54. The male hippo sired approximately 25 offspring in his lifetime, giving the Zoo the title of “hippo capital of the world.”
Upcoming Events
Chelsea Clinton will be at Memphis Zoo on April 23rd for an evening conversation to talk about her new children's book. Clinton's new book "Don't Let them Disappear: Twelve Endangered Species Across the Globe,” which shows readers endangered animals and shares what makes them special and what threatens them. The book talks about rhinos, tigers, whales, pandas and other endangered animals, giving helpful tips on what we can do to help prevent these animals from becoming extinct.
Memphis Zoo Events 2019
- LEGO Brick Sculpture Exhibit Opens
Friday, February 1, 2019 - Seasonal Exhibits Open (Stingrays, Camel Rides, and Giraffe Feeding)
Saturday, March 2, 2019 - James Beard Dinner
Thursday, March 7, 2019 - Roar and Pour
Friday, April 26, 2019 - Zoom Through The Zoo
Thursday, May 23, 2019 - Zoo Brew
Friday, May 24, 2019 - Members Night
Sunday, May 26, 2019
Saturday, July 27, 2019
Sunday, September 1, 2019 - Eye Spy Day
Saturday, June 1, 2019 - Dream Night
Sunday, June 2, 2019 - Zoo Rendezvous
Saturday, September 7, 2019 - Harvest Fest
Saturday and Sunday, September 21 & 22, 2019 - Senior Safari
Wednesday, October 2, 2019 - Winter Hours Begin
Monday, October 14, 2019 - Shelby Ready
Saturday, October 19, 2019 - LeBonheur Zoo Boo
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, October 18-20, 2019
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Thursday October 25-27, 31, 2019 - Seasonal Exhibits Close
Sunday, October 31, 2019 - SunTrust Zoo Light
Select Nights, beginning Friday, November 22, 2019 - Ice Rink
Opens Daily, beginning Saturday, November 23, 2019
Animal Exhibits
African veldt
The Memphis Zoo African Veldt is home to african elephants, bongos, giraffes, grant's gazelle, ostrich, scimitar-horned oryx, southwestern white rhinos, and zebras.
Animals of the Night
Animals of the Night Located at the Memphis Zoo is one of the nation's few nocturnal exhibits, featuring bats, porcupines, aardvarks, and other day sleepers.
Aquarium
The Memphis Zoo indoor aquarium is home to both fresh and saltwater fish, as well as other sea wildlife.
Cat Country
The Memphis Zoo Cat Country exhibit is home to amur leopard, african lions, cheetah, cougar, snow leopard, red pandas, and tigers.
Pelican Pool
The Memphis Zoo Pelican Pool is home to 9 American white pelicans.
China
The Memphis Zoo China exhibit is home to francois langurs, giant pandas, golden pheasant, pere david's deer, sulawesi crested black macaques, and white-naped cranes.
Dragon's Lair
Memphis Zoo's Dragon Liar is home to 3 Giant komodo dragons.
Herpatarium
The Memphis Zoo Herpetarium or also known as the "Snake House", the herpetarium also houses alligators, lizards, and frogs.
Northwest Passage
The Northwest Passage at the Memphis Zoo has an underwater viewing building, a sea lion observation bubble, and also features polar bears and bald eagles.
Once Upon a Farm
Once Upon a Farm located at Memphis Zoo is an indoor and outdoor exhibit featuring farm animals such as horses, cows, donkeys, and prairie dogs.
Penguin Rock
The Memphis Zoo is home to 27 African black-footed penguins.
Primate Canyon
The Primate Canyon exhibit is home gorillas, orangutans, and monkeys.
Round Barn
The Memphis Zoo round barn exhibit is home to klipspringer, red river hog, and warthogs.
Teton Trek
The Memphis Zoo Teton Trek features elk, grizzly bears, timber wolves, and trumpeter swans. The exhibit also features a lodge, a 20-ft waterfall, a 30-ft geyser, and a fishing pond for the Grizzlies.
The Budgie House
The Memphis Zoo houses Budgies. Budgies, also known as parakeets, are native to Australia
Tropical Bird House
The Memphis Zoo Tropical Bird House features toco toucan, plush crested jay, golden white eyed, red billed hornbill and many more bird species.
Zambezi River Hippo Camp
The newest exhibit at the Memphis Zoo is home to three hippos, Nile crocodiles, patas monkeys, okapi, and a tropical bird area. There are overheard and "underwater" observation areas and an African-themed central pavilion.
Memphis Zoo
Food Options
Cat House Cafe
Memphis Grille, Sabino's and Pranzo’s Pizza are each located inside the Cat House Café The Memphis Grille serves fresh burgers, catfish sandwiches, chicken fritters, all beef King Cotton hot dogs, corn dogs and spicy black bean burger - and different choices of sides. They also serve fresh deli subs that include a combination of meats, cheeses, vegetables and sauces on fresh baked bread. Combo meals and kids’ meals are available too. Sabino’s also serves Very Veggie deli sub, soups, chili, kids’ meals and a choice of fresh salads. Pranzo’s Pizza serves Pizzas made with different toppings to choose from. It has grab and go options and a selection of beverages. (Opened Year Round)
Ray's Grille (Seasonal)
Ray's Grille serves Pulled pork smoked on site BBQ sandwiches, Cheeseburgers, Mississippi Farm Raised Catfish Sandwiches, and Hand dipped Ice cream.
The Outpost (Seasonal)
The Outpost serves Chicago-style hot dogs, as well as regular, chili cheese and BBQ Nachos, Icees and Flavorburst soft-serve ice cream. The Outpost is open year round and located by the Rhino and Zebra exhibits in the African Veldt.
Bamboo Grille (Seasonal)
Bamboo Grille serves waffles and hand battered fried chicken with a variety of styles to choose. Also you can order a basket of Waffle Fries topped with Buffalo Chicken, BBQ, or Bacon.
Carts and Kiosks (Seasonal)
Seasonal kiosks and carts, are located throughout Zoo grounds. They offer items such as ICEEs, popcorn, cold drinks, ice cream and Dippin-Dots.
Donate
Zoo News
- Two New Elephants Welcomed at Memphis Zoo
- One of the World’s Rarest Big Cats Calls Memphis Zoo Home
- Construction for Greensward Parking Solution to Begin Work to expand available parking at Memphis Zoo, creating 415 new spaces, will begin early this summer and continue through the winter season.
- Baby Giraffe Born on Exhibit at Memphis Zoo
- Baby Sea Lions Born Days Apart
- Oldest African elephant in North America calls Memphis Zoo home
- Baby Langur Born at Memphis Zoo
Map and Directions
https://www.speakcdn.com/assets/2510/2016_zoo_visitor_map_inside-421.pdf
Zoo Rules
- Ages 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult age 21 or older.
- NO balloons, glass containers, alcohol, bicycles, roller blades, or skates. Coolers and children's wagons are welcome.
- Memphis Zoo is a smoke-free facility
- No visible underwear or clothing that promotes or displays profanity, violence, drugs or alcohol or criminal activity.
- Pets are not allowed inside the Zoo. Please make arrangements to board your animal before visiting.
- No soliciting
Zoo Babies
https://youtu.be/YTKwiaexNWc
https://youtu.be/zHHaOvm0xLU
A baby Linné’s two-toed sloth was recently born at the Memphis Zoo
“Lua” (loo-ah), a girl, was born on March 17, 2017
The Memphis Zoo currently has three Linné’s two-toed sloths. Marilyn and Sparky, Lua’s parents, both arrived at the Zoo in December 2003. Both adults were wild-caught animals, making Lua a genetically valuable animal.
https://youtu.be/RlMaigdrD18
We are so excited to introduce you to Rowan! Rowan was the winning name after a week-long naming contest held in 2016. The name, which means “little red head,” was one of five names participants could vote on. Over 2000 entries were collected.
Rowan was born on March 19, 2016 around 1pm via Caesarean section.
He weighed 5.4lbs at birth and ate well from a bottle
C-sections are rare with orangutans, and the Memphis Zoo is one of only two institutions that has successfully introduced mother to baby within two weeks of birth.
Daily Schedule
- Reptile Chat 10:00am - 10:30am Location-Herpetarium
- Hippo Chat 10:30am - 10:45am Location-Zambezi
- Panda Keeper Chat 11:00am - 11:30am Location-China
- Sea Lion Show 11:00am - 11:30am Location-Northwest Passage
- Farm Chat 11:30am - 12:15pm Location-Once Upon A Farm
- Wild Encounters (Seasonal - March-October) 11:30am - Noon Location-Wild Encounters Stage
- Grizzly Feeding 1:00pm - 1:45pm Location-Teton Trek
- Primate Keeper Chat 1:00pm - 2:00pm Location-Primate Canyon
- Aquarium Keeper Chat 1:00pm - 2:00pm Location-Aquarium
- Animals of the Night Keeper Chat 1:30pm - 2:00pm Location-Animals of the Night
- Giraffe Keeper Chat 1:30pm - 2:00pm Location-African Veldt
- Sea Lion Training Session (Seasonal - March - October) 1:30pm - 1:45pm Location-Northwest Passage
- Tropical Bird Feeding 2:00pm - 3:00pm Location-Tropical Birdhouse (Center Flight)
- Polar Bear Chat 2:00pm - 2:30pm Location-Northwest Passage Underwater Viewing Room
- Wild Encounters (Seasonal) 2:00pm - 2:30pm Location-Wild Encounters Stage
- Elephant Feeding & Chat 2:00pm - 3:00pm Location-Elephant Exhibit
- Penguin Feeding 3:00pm - 3:30pm Location-Penguin Rock
- Sea Lion Show 3:00pm - 3:30pm Location-Northwest Passage
- Cat Country Chat 3:30pm - 4:00pm Location-Cat Country Entrance
