Zoo Update: 20 Years and Counting

Can you believe it’s been 20 years since Nashville Zoo opened? I remember going to the zoo in the ‘90s. All of the exhibits were so far apart. Even the entrance from Nolensville Road has evolved. It used to be a single road leading to the Zoo entrance. There weren’t any sidewalks along that road, either. The parking lots weren’t as decorative. There were elephants that guests could ride on. I still have my picture!

Me and my mom on an African Elephant at the Zoo

Just as I can recall the old zoo and smile, I know the new upgrades and exhibits are creating a memorable experience for young guests to do the same in the future. I can’t wait until the Nashville Zoo is rated #1 in the nation. (Trust, it’s going to happened!) Until then, it’s important that we recognize the amazing things Nashville Zoo does for the community. Rather it’s keeping Zoo guests informed about conservation efforts, presenting new animals to the public, breeding animals, hosting annual events or constructing new buildings for special observations, Nashville Zoo is one of Nashville’s best attractions. You haven’t seen all of Nashville if you don’t visit Nashville Zoo.

It is now time for a Zoo update!

Coming Soon: Animal Health Clinic

Photo Credit: Urban Threads

Think back to when I posted on Instagram about attending Nashville Zoo’s Animal Health Clinic Groundbreaking Ceremony in May. Unlike most rainy days in Nashville, golden shovels and wine made the ceremony a little less gloomy for attendees. Did I mention they had chocolate covered strawberries and wine? In the words of Bruno Mars, “Don’t believe me just watch” the video below.

At the event, Nashville Zoo staff members recognized and thanked their generous donors for making this animal clinic possible. Nashville Zoo’s Director of Veterinary Services Heather Robertson took the mic to share how the new clinic will aid the Vet team in treating other animals.
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“We’ve been dreaming about it for years now. And now four years later, we’ll be able to bring all animals to us instead of our Vet team going to them, specifically large animals.”

The Animal Health Clinic will occupy more than 20,000 square feet for diagnosis, laboratory, observation, pharmacy, radiology and surgery. Not only that but the Nashville Zoo will utilize the space as a teaching tool for college students to learn about animal health. It will feature a nursery, too. Like everything else at the Zoo, the Zoo never neglects their guests. The clinic will offer Zoo patrons the opportunity to observe surgeries and procedures. How exciting?

With $72 million raised by May 30th, Nashville Zoo broke ground at the site. They are hoping to have it opened in 2018. I’ll keep you posted. Until then, enjoy the new exhibits and events at our phenomenal zoo!

Sponsors, Jim Bartoo has a message for you! ​↴

White Rhinos Are Safe At Our Zoo

Photo Credit: Urban Threads

Did you know southern white rhinos are near threatened while northern white rhinos are critically endangered? Illegal poaching is one of the leading causes to their population status. Unfortunately, people kill rhinos for their horns. Poaching causes innocent rhinos to endure slow, painful deaths in the wild.

Their horns are made of keratin and sulphur-containing amino acids. Because of its complex composition, traditional Chinese medicine finds its uses for it. It is customary for the Chinese culture to use rhino horns to treat fever, food poising, gout, headaches, rheumatism and other disorders. Although these medical practices do not work, we are losing valuable mammals to these practices.

Playing its continuous role in rhino conservation, Nashville Zoo acquired four female southern white rhinos from South Africa. They may be found in the former African Elephant Savannah exhibit. I state “may” because the decision to go outside is completely up to the rhinos. Like humans, rhinos have to take their time when adapting to a new environment. Sometimes they feel like going outside and other times they don’t. According to Nashville Zoo keepers, your best chance at seeing them in their new home is before lunch. Oh but when you do, it is so worth it!

Check out the stills I took during my visit to see these beautiful creatures below.

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Don’t forget about Nashville Zoo’s annual Rockin’ for Rhinos conservation concert in September. Keep a watch on Nashville Zoo for a specific date. 

Celebrate World Rhino Day on September 22 with Nashville Zoo by seeing our four female southern rhinos in their new home.

Go See the Clouded Leopards

The Bamboo Trail just got cooler. Playmates Niran and Kuso have joined the Nashville Zoo’s public scene and ready to show Zoo guests how their friendship helps them learn. Talk about animal enrichment! Simply having a new environment to explore can perform wonders for these cubs. We all know how it was growing up, the more you had to explore with the merrier. But these two cubs have quite the history.

Apparently Niran is the first clouded leopard in the world to be born from artificial insemination (AI). That means this cub was made with frozen or thawed semen. Whoa, did we think this kind of procedure would stop with humans? To make matters better about Niran, it all went down at the Zoo. He is for real Nashville bred! His buddy Kuso is just as cool.

Kuso came from Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard, Kansas and came to Nashville Zoo in May. The Zoo promises to keep these guys together until they are both old enough to interact with females.

Sadly, clouded leopards are subject to poaching in the wild, too. If not that, they lose their habitats to deforestation and encounter pet trade. As humans, we must consider other mammals we share our environment with before doing things that is only beneficial to us. Make Nashville the example. Before allowing developers to do what they want with our native land, think of Niran and Kuso’s story.

We may not have clouded leopards here, but we do have a number of native animals that are losing their habitats to our ongoing development. Money is not everything. Believe it or not, we need various animals and organisms to make our city environmentally stable. Speak for those who can’t speak for themselves!

For actual upcoming September events like the Heritage Music Festival and Sunset Safari, visit Nashville Zoo for details.

This concludes my Zoo update. Check back here for another one in December.

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