History
Zoo Atlanta, one of the earliest zoos in the United States, has experienced several transformative phases, from its founding in 1889 to modern-day acclaim. Known initially as Grant Park Zoo, it has faced cycles of decline and resurgence, each period marked by ambitious rebuilding efforts that ultimately propelled it back to the forefront of American zoos. Key milestones, such as the arrival of the zoo's first gorilla and later, its acquisition of giant pandas, have brought renewed public interest and prestige, yet the journey has been fraught with significant challenges.
The Beginnings in Grant Park (1889-1930s)
Zoo Atlanta’s story began early 1889, when a traveling circus, unable to continue due to financial troubles, was abandoned in Atlanta in March. After the circus owner encountered legal issues, he departed for Chicago, leaving the circus assets - including three lions, a gazelle, two monkeys, a hyena, a jaguar, and a black bear - stranded in Atlanta’s railroad yard. Local businessman George V. Gress stepped in, purchasing the collection and donating it to the city. The city quickly moved the animals to Grant Park, establishing what became known as the Grant Park Zoo in April that year. It was one of the first zoos in the United States, initially designed as a "menagerie" or place to observe exotic curiosities in cages, a popular Victorian-era pastime.
Community involvement was part of the Zoo’s life from the onset, with private citizens donating animals and Atlanta newspapers heralding new arrivals and spearheading fund drives. The largest of these resulted in the introduction of Clio, the Zoo’s first elephant, in 1890. However, over the years, the zoo faced wavering support from city leaders who occasionally questioned its funding. An article from the Atlanta Constitution in 1898 praised the improved conditions under the guidance of H.D. Austin, the park’s new superintendent, noting the zoo’s enhanced cleanliness and appeal. The piece celebrated Grant Park as a valued public resort, helping to bolster public support and ensuring its survival. However, for the next eight decades, the zoo often hovered near financial peril. At one point, a city commissioner even suggested killing and stuffing the animals for display in city council chambers, reflecting a dark period in the zoo’s funding struggles. Despite this, private donors frequently stepped in to support the zoo, donating both animals and money to keep it operational. Yet, until major reforms in the 1980s, many animals lived in cramped, outdated cages - a problem that would be exacerbated by the growth of the zoo’s collection.
Expansion and Overcrowding: The Candler Donation (1930s-1940s)
In the 1930s, Asa Candler Jr., a Coca-Cola heir with a large private animal collection, found himself with too many animals to house on his estate on the corner of Briarcliff and University roads in Atlanta’s Druid Hills neighborhood. He negotiated a deal to donate his collection to the zoo. Although this nearly doubled the zoo’s animal population, insufficient funds prevented the construction of proper enclosures. Overcrowding became a severe issue as animals were packed too closely together, leading to increased injuries and illnesses. Despite these challenges, Candler’s donation boosted the zoo’s prominence, marking it as one of the few zoos in the country with such a diverse collection. Unfortunately, this expansion also brought a period of decline as funding failed to keep pace with the zoo’s needs.
The Arrival of Willie B. and Mid-Century Improvements (1950s-1970s)
In 1959, a young gorilla named Willie B. arrived, named after then-Mayor William B. Hartsfield. Willie B. quickly became the zoo’s most beloved resident and would later symbolize its rebirth (read more). The 1960s saw some modernization efforts, largely thanks to the new director, John Roth, the zoo’s first professional zoo director, who aimed to bring innovative zoological practices to Atlanta. He collaborated with Emory University’s Yerkes National Primate Research Center to bring in rare primates, including great apes, and sought to use the zoo for conservation and educational purposes rather than solely for entertainment. However, the zoo still faced continual financial challenges, and Roth resigned in 1970 amid growing issues with the outdated facilities.
The Crisis of 1984 and the Maple Era
By the early 1980s, the zoo’s conditions had deteriorated so drastically that Parade magazine listed Zoo Atlanta among the ten worst zoos in the United States. The Humane Society of the United States condemned its lack of medical care, overcrowded enclosures, and general neglect. Some animals were in such poor condition that an emergency investigation led to the zoo losing its accreditation from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). Outrage spread through the city, and there were calls for the zoo’s closure. In response, Mayor Andrew Young assembled a crisis team and appointed Dr. Terry Maple, a professor at Georgia Tech, as interim director.
Dr. Maple, initially volunteering for the summer, quickly became a transformative figure. Within days, he set ambitious goals to overhaul the zoo, focusing on animal welfare and creating a better visitor experience. He worked with Mayor Young to secure a $50 million grant, which funded a comprehensive modernization of the zoo. Maple outlined a five-step improvement plan that included creating larger, naturalistic enclosures, reducing animal populations to provide more space, and investing in landscaping to make the zoo more inviting. 
His vision included the now-iconic Ford African Rain Forest exhibit, modeled after his team’s research trip to Africa funded by the Ford Motor Company, which added new enclosures for animals like lions, elephants, and giraffes. These improvements sparked a surge in attendance and attracted further corporate sponsorships, allowing Maple to continue expanding the zoo’s facilities and conservation efforts. The Ford African Rain Forest opened in 1988, gave the now 30-year-old Willie B. his first foray outdoors since infancy. The Ford complex also created lush habitats for a collection of gorillas loaned by Emory University’s Yerkes National Primate Research Center. Willie B.’s social life captured the public eye, and Atlantans were thrilled when the former bachelor’s first offspring, Kudzoo, was born in 1994. The silverback would sire four more offspring – Olympia, Sukari, Willie B., Jr., and Lulu – over the next five years.
Several new additions opened in 1989, the Zoo’s centennial year: Masai Mara, featuring a recreation of the African savanna; Mzima Springs, with elephants foraging near an authentic watering hole; and new naturalistic habitats for black rhinos, drills and Sumatran tigers. The Zoo that had once disgraced the city was now a point of pride, even receiving awards at the local, state and national levels.
Panda-Mania and Modern Achievements (1990s-present)
The success of Maple’s efforts led to Zoo Atlanta re-emerging as a top zoo in the country. A highlight came in 1999, when the zoo became one of only four U.S. zoos to host giant pandas, Lun Lun and Yang Yang, on loan from China. The arrival of the pandas was a major attraction, drawing visitors from across the nation and solidifying Zoo Atlanta’s reputation as a world-class zoo. In 2006, their offspring, Mei Lan, became the first panda cub born in the United States in seven years, sparking what became known as “Panda-Mania” in Atlanta. This success was a testament to the zoo’s revitalization efforts and its focus on conservation and species preservation. Mei Lan would later be followed by a younger brother and five sisters, which all returned to China and live at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China.
Unfortunately, Willie B. passed away in 2000 at the age of 41. The gorilla who had become the symbol of the Zoo’s resurgence was memorialized by a crowd of over 5,000 people, and remembered by media throughout the U.S., including Time magazine.
Today, Zoo Atlanta stands as a conservation leader and an educational institution, hosting over half a million visitors annually. Under the guidance of recent directors like Dennis W. Kelly and Raymond B. King, it has continued to grow, with exhibits such as the award-winning Scaly Slimy Spectacular and Trader’s Alley enhancing its appeal. Zoo Atlanta’s journey, from near collapse to international recognition, reflects the dedication of its staff, the generosity of the Atlanta community, and a shared commitment to animal welfare, conservation, and public engagement. Through every challenge, the zoo has emerged stronger, proving its resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.
Now more than 125 years removed from its historical origins, Zoo Atlanta has evolved from a quaint picnic stop where people visited wild animals to a conservation organization seeking to engage the public in the lives of its animal ambassadors and the preservation of their counterparts in the wild. The long journey from Victorian curiosity to the modern up-to-standard institution it is now has not been without its challenges, but the mission, animals, programmes and people of Zoo Atlanta will ensure that history will continue to be made.
(Source: Zoo Atlanta website, accessed in September 2013 and October 2024; Animal attractions by Elizabeth Hanson, 2002; Zoo Atlanta by Francis Desiderio, in New Georgia Encyclopedia, originally published 6 Oct 2006, last edited 4 Apr 2019; Zoo Atlanta by Brian Boggs, in The History of Our Streets, 2016)
Visit(s)
03.06.2013
Zoo Atlanta is one of the 10 oldest zoos in continuous operation in the United States. It is best known for its leadership in the movement to provide naturalistic habitats for zoo animals. Moreover, Zoo Atlanta is one of the most innovative and broad-reaching educational institutions in the state of Georgia. Over 260,000 school children participate in educational programs each year, according to the AZA website.
Although many zoos go for a different kind of first impression nowadays, Zoo Atlanta still has got the not-so-inevitable-anymore flamingos on the left hand side after the entrance. They even call it Flamingo Plaza. Whatever you think of it, the sight of these pink birds with their long neck and strange beak immediately makes you aware where you are - the Zoo. But the amazingly luscious vegetation and the fresh smell of a recent rain shower is the best invitation to explore this Zoo.
Going left is the most logical choice to start your tour around the Zoo, unless your thirst or hunger takes you to the 'Grand Patio' at the opposite site of the grounds, or your children must see the Kid Zone and petting zoo first.
African Plains
Zoo Atlanta has exhibited a total of 13 elephants since 1895. Until 1984 the Zoo had Asian elephants, but since 1986 they only had African elephants on display. All three of them have been sourced from the wild, Namibia (Etosha National Park) and Zimbabwe, but it is said they had otherwise been culled. One of them died in 2008 at 26 years of age due to acute pneumonia. They never had a big herd of elephants in Atlanta, and the size of the enclosure doesn't allow a large number of animals, but only two of these very social animals is not the best advertisement for an AZA accredited zoo I would say. Nevertheless, it's a nice and diverse exhibit with large dark boulders, a deep pool at the visitors' side and lots of enrichment. The red soil had coloured the single elephant I saw out in the field red as well, which made the animal almost disappear against the backdrop.
After the slight disappointment regarding the size of the elephant herd I passed the wonderful red muddy environment for the warthog on my way to the savannah area. This mixed species exhibit with its undulating landscape, rocks and sandy substrate, comprised giraffe, ostrich, lesser kudu, zebra and black rhino, though the latter separated from the other species. The female black rhinoceros was pregnant at time of visit and gave birth to Zoo Atlanta's first black rhino calf a few months later, on August 17. Although the environmental enrichment and educational value are up-to-standard in this mixed species exhibit, the number of individuals of the hoofed species that normally live in herds or social groups in the wild is disappointingly low. Another species that occurs in savannah-like area, the Kori bustard - Africa's largest flying bird, is kept close to the hoofed species in an open top enclosure with wire mesh fences all around. The bird is probably not pinioned, because it needs a lot of open space to be able to take off. And its enclosure does not provide a large open space due to all the trees and other vegetation.
Another separate enclosure that belong to the African Plains area is the bongo enclosure that is situated uphill and therefore a bit sloping. It is a grassy hill with a large dry moat at the viewing area and shade provided by two trees and vegetation at the perimeter. The bongo were still in their off-exhibit area, but they share the enclosure with yellow-backed duiker.
Across the footpath from the savannah area a reasonably sized pit-like enclosure for African lions is located. With a high level platform of boulders in the centre the king of the jungle is not too much exposed to the inquisitive visitors. There are two bar-less viewing points and one glass viewing window opposite the enclosure's pool.
The African Rain Forest
Following the trail you enter the area where African primate species are on display with the western lowland gorilla as an absolute highlight. A total of 19 specimens are dispersed over four different magnificent exhibits. These lovely enclosures with an undulating grassy landscape contain huge trees protected by electrical wire at the foot, and have deep dry moats to separate the enclosures from each other and from the visitors.
Besides a bachelor troop in habitat 2, one of the enclosures (habitat 3) comprises a family troop of ten with Taz as their silverback leader. It is a troop with several youngsters, and one gorilla baby born 14 March that year (2013). While I watch a young gorilla climbing a tree, it is mistaken for the newborn baby by some of the visitors. It surprises me how little people know about gorilla biology, and do not take the effort to read the available information at the panels around the enclosures. If they would have done that they should know that a newborn baby gorilla less than three months old is not able to climb trees. This is a blunt generalisation, I know, and there are plenty of people including children who learn about wildlife and biodiversity during a zoo visit. Unfortunately, the children of this particular family went home with a strange idea about the speed gorillas grow up. While this is exactly the situation to teach children about evolution and how closely we are related to the great apes, which shows for instance in similarities in biology. This is especially needed in this country full of people still denying evolution.
Across from the gorilla habitats, the Living Tree House comprises birds and lemurs. It is a walk-through aviary with a high level boardwalk where you can encounter free flying birds, while on one side ring-tailed lemurs and black-and-white lemurs are housed in a fenced off area. In their about 20 m high enclosure with many environmental enrichment features such as wooden climbing facilities, the lemurs are quite exposed but nevertheless very relaxed. They are used to having public in the immediate vicinity because Zoo Atlanta has lemur feeding encounters as an attraction. They have giraffe feeding as well. The aviary has got a mix of bird species from Asia, Africa and South America.
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At the exit of the tree house there's a viewing platform with windows, a lookout on the enclosure with drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus) and Wolf's guenon (Cercopithecus wolfi). This is the only point from where you can have a good view at this enclosure with the drills living mainly on ground level and the guenons in the trees. These species seems to do very well in this setup, with the drill being semiterrestrial, foraging mainly on the ground, and climbing the trees to sleep at night, and the guenon being mainly arboreal. It is a great exhibit with shrubs, palm trees and two very large trees that allow the guenon to venture high in these trees.
The Wolf's guenon and drill enclosure is followed by an enclosure with Peter's Angola colobus monkey (Colobus angolensis palliatus) and Schmidt's red-tailed guenon (Cercopithecus ascanius schmidti). Like at the other mixed species primate exhibits the visitor viewing area is from a walkway halfway up the enclosure's height. The monkeys have naturalistic looking climbing enrichment (rubber lianas) at their disposal.
Asian Forest
The third and last area focussed on a specific geographical region is the Asian forest. The first enclosure is the one for Malayan sun bear. The two specimens just received their frozen fruit-flavoured popsicle as food enrichment. The exhibit has several viewing areas on different levels, like many enclosures, due to the hilly area of Grant Park where the Zoo is situated. There's a small pool and the bears have access to a high level platform, a climbing rack, but there are no trees to climb. As part of the Zoo's educational effort there's an example of the size of the cages in which people keep Asian black bear on a large scale to produce bear bile, for instance in China. Though this effort should be applauded and more zoos should have such information on a permanent basis, I think more is needed to raise awareness about these bile farms and make people do something about it. For instance footage of an actual bile farm could make the difference, but I understand that many zoos will be reluctant to do so, because most of their visitors still come to be entertained and have fun.
Another impressive naturalistic exhibit is the one for the orangutans. They keep Bornean as well as Sumatran orangutan in two separate enclosures (called habitat 1 and 2). The enclosures have 'Hagenbeck style' (bar-less) viewing with a dry moat at the viewing area. As environmental enrichment the enclosures have wooden frames with hammocks and a roof, like little forest houses.
Zoo Atlanta is dedicated to get their message across about the necessity of nature conservation and the important role zoos must play to gain knowledge by studying animals in captivity. For instance at the orangutan enclosure there's an audio lecture about what is ongoing at Zoo Atlanta orangutan research on these species' behaviour. Considering the educational value of the Zoo's signage (information panels) it must be said that these panels, though small, are informative. But the source of the endangered status of the species is not mentioned (I suppose this will be the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species).
A species rare to many zoo collections is the Komodo dragon. At Zoo Atlanta they do not only have it on display in a wealth of green with palm trees, grass and bushes, they also had a 'Wild Encounter' experience for an additional charge - Feed a Komodo dragon. Something I've never seen anywhere else yet. Recent information (April, 2015) on the Zoo's website does not mention Komodo dragon experiences anymore, but only giant panda, Aldabra tortoise, lemur, giraffe and African elephant encounters.
Following the footpath downhill there's another opportunity to see the sun bears, and a bit further down you can view the Sumatran tiger in the adjacent enclosure. On the other side of the footpath they keep Tanuki or raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides). According to the signage this is currently not an endangered species, but they are used by humans for their fur and bones. Their bones are used in traditional Asian medicine. The raccoon dog are now farmed commercially for their fur, so fewer are taken from the wild. I would have expected some additional information on the animal welfare issues here, and a standpoint on the matter. But no, and now it seems as if the Zoo promotes commercial farming of yet another species, because it stops the sourcing from the wild.
From the raccoon dogs it is not far to one of the main attractions of Zoo Atlanta, the giant pandas. The Zoo keeps giant pandas since 1999 and has produced three offspring, and just two months after my visit another two panda cubs are born. All offspring are the product of artificial insemination. The two multilevel moated outdoor enclosures with a few high level resting platforms are empty. It is too hot outside, so, the pandas are in the indoor facilities, which are air-conditioned. Both young giant pandas have an enclosure for themselves, while the parents are kept off exhibit at time of visit. Although the 4-year-old Xi Lan and 2-year-old Po were still on site during my visit, they were being prepared for a move to China later in 2013.
Complex Carnivore
The main grouping of the Zoo's animal collection is based on geographical origin, but in the 'Complex Carnivore' area they brought together several carnivore species from around the globe. There's the bush dog from South America, the fossa from Madagascar, the binturong and Sumatran tiger from Asia and most interestingly it comprises various carnivorous plants! All animals are kept in naturalistic exhibits with lots of vegetation, but I would like to see more space for the fossa and binturong. The latter, together with the tigers, belong to the Asian Forest area as well.
The exhibit for the three Sumatran tigers, formerly housed clouded leopards. Uphill it borders the sun bear enclosure, where the walls still show the blocks used for building them. But it does not distract from the interior that is designed with a naturalistic look resembling Sumatran rainforest, including a small stream and a pond that borders a viewing window.
Another atypical grouping of species for Zoo Atlanta, in this case by taxonomic Class, can be found in the reptile house, the World of Reptiles. It has a large collection of reptiles (snakes mostly) on display, but all in rather common old-fashioned exhibits.
Making my way to the exit, I can't resist having a look at the Kid Zone that besides entertainment comprises some regular enclosures as well, for instance for the cassowary and the golden-lion tamarin. But compared to all other exhibits this tamarin enclosure is a disgrace. The indoor enclosure is completely bare with no vegetation whatsoever, and the only outside area they have at their disposal is a cage of 2m by 0.5 m (height 0.5 m).
Despite this last impression, I think Zoo Atlanta has done a great job, coming back from a very bad situation in the 1980s. It's luscious vegetation creates a pleasant atmosphere, next to the naturalistic habitats they created. Most of the enclosures are situated on the original undulating grounds of Grant Park, which adds to the 'nature experience' during the visit. The same can be said from the water they use in the pools and ponds. This is the first zoo I visit in the U.S., as far as I can recall, which does not have crystal clear water in the exhibits, but natural water. Last but not least, the Zoo's management must be congratulated with their clear decision on the number of species they have on display. A low number that matches the size of the Zoo and therefore allow them to provide sufficient space to almost all of their species.
Gallery
Video
Gorilla youngsters playtime at Atlanta Zoo
Zoo Atlanta exhibits the U.S.' largest western lowland gorilla collection, in three different enclosures. They have a good breeding track record, and here you see two of the offspring having fun together.
Malayan sun bear doesn't tolerate the sun at Atlanta Zoo
Watch how the bear is out of breath due to just a little effort under the hot sun, though tropical forests are its native habitat. That must be the reason the sun bear became nocturnal.
Radiated tortoise interaction at Atlanta Zoo
There is something going on here at the radiated tortoises exhibit, but I'm not sure what. Is it foreplay or is it bullying? Anyway there's one tortoise exercising control over the other.
Radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) is a species in the family Testudinidae native to Madagascar.
More info
The Legendary Willie B.
The Legendary Gorilla - Willie B.
Willie B., a Western lowland gorilla born in late 1958 in West Africa’s Cameroon, became one of Atlanta’s most beloved figures. Originally named “Lumumba” after the Congolese independence leader, Patrice Lumumba, he was brought to Atlanta’s Grant Park Zoo on 6 May 1961 by animal dealer Dr. Deets Pickett to replace another gorilla, also named Willie B., who had died that same year. Willie B. was named after Atlanta’s then-mayor, William B. Hartsfield, who had even humorously nominated the first Willie B. for a Congressional seat in 1960.
For almost three decades, Willie B. lived a solitary life confined within a small, tiled cage. His companions were few - a tire swing, a television that was famously stolen just before the 1979 NFL playoffs, and his caretaker. His isolation mirrored the state of the zoo itself, which by the early 1980s was in a state of crisis. Public outcry followed the deaths of several animals, and the zoo’s accreditation was revoked in 1984. This prompted Atlanta’s mayor, Andrew Young, to initiate a major transformation of the zoo.
The city appointed Dr. Terry Maple, a conservation biologist, to lead this transformation. Under Maple’s leadership, the zoo was revamped into Zoo Atlanta, a nonprofit organization. Central to its renovations was the creation of the Ford African Rain Forest, a gorilla habitat designed to mimic Willie B.’s natural environment more closely. This new space allowed Willie B., for the first time, to experience the outdoors and interact with other gorillas.
On 13 May 1988, after nearly 30 years in captivity, Willie B. ventured outdoors. Around 25,000 people gathered to witness this momentous event. Willie B. adapted well to his new environment and became a central figure in the Ford African Rain Forest habitat. He later mated with a female gorilla named Choomba, fathering five offspring - Kudzoo, Olympia, Sukari, Lulu, and Kidogo (also known as Willie B. Jr.). Read more on historical milestones in Willie B.'s life in this document.
As a symbol of Atlanta’s progress and resilience, Willie B. lived through numerous pivotal events in the city’s history, from the Civil Rights Movement to the 1996 Olympics. He became not only a local icon but also a beacon of the zoo’s revitalization and a reminder of the importance of conservation. He has taught all the people a lot about gorillas. His dignity, humour and fascination for people have shown us first-hand that gorillas are wonderful, intelligent creatures. Willie B. has helped us understand that we must all support the protection of his wild relatives and their homeland.
Willie B.’s life ended on 2 February 2000, when he died of pneumonia-related heart failure at age 41. His passing was deeply mourned by the community, with over 5,000 people attending his memorial at the zoo. Willie B.’s legacy was immortalized with a life-sized bronze statue at Zoo Atlanta, containing 80% of his cremated remains. The remaining portion was scattered in Africa, connecting him once more to his birthplace. Further to this His legacy lives on in what is now an internationally-recognized gorilla programme and in his children and grandchildren. A memorial to Willie B. stands outside the Ford African Rain Forest and is the Zoo’s most visited photo opportunity.
( Source: Atlanta History Center, Gone But Not Forgotten: Willie B., by Tiffany Harte, 2 May 2022; website Circus Historical Society, Circus History Library, publication Back Yard, Volume V, Issue #85, February 15, 2000; Willie B. is dead, by Richard Reynolds, 2 February 2000; website Zoo Atlanta, accessed October 2024; information panel at Atlanta Zoo, statue of Willy B.)
Zoo details
Some additional information, such as contact details and involvement in breeding programmes.
Location
Directions
directions to Zoo Atlanta
Zoo Atlanta is located in historic Grant Park, minutes from downtown Atlanta and about 1.5 km from Turner Field - home of the Atlanta Braves baseball team.
Address:
800 Cherokee Avenue
GA 30315
Atlanta
Georgia
United States of America
public transport
Bus Route #32 delivers service to and from the Five Points MARTA station via Zoo Atlanta (route map here). Find a trip planner here or download MARTA's On the Go App for scheduling information, real-time bus and rail information, service alerts and connecting bus route(s) information.
by bicycle
Atlanta is famed for its hilly topography which can make cycling difficult. Nevertheless, many parts of the city are relatively flat, especially in downtown Atlanta. Atlanta has historically been a 'car' city, and drivers are not very accustomed to cyclists yet. Together with the lack of dedicated bike lanes cycling is still an adventure in Atlanta. Which is a shame, because the mild climate and the city's compact urban area is an invitation to travel by bicycle.
Although things are improving and for instance in 2010 an additional 22 km of bike lanes have been built, Atlanta's cycling infrastructure has a long way to go. But PATH, a non-profit organisation founded in 1991, has already built more than 150 km of bike trails throughout Atlanta.
So, if you still dare to try your luck I would suggest you rent a bike here, pick your route, and stay fit while pedalling to Cherokee Avenue in Grant Park.
by car
From Interstate 20
Take Exit 59A (Boulevard) and proceed south 800 m (0.5 mile). Park in the lots on Boulevard.
From Interstate 75 or 85
take Exit 246 (Fulton Street) and drive east on Fulton Street. Turn right at Capitol Avenue. Follow Capitol to first light, turn left on Georgia Avenue. Georgia Avenue ends at the Cherokee Avenue lot.
Parking is FREE.
Zoo map
Download the zoo map here.
