Virginia Zoological Park facts for kids
Main Entrance
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| Date opened | 1900 |
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| Location | Norfolk, Virginia, United States |
| Land area | 53 acres (21 ha) |
| Coordinates | 36°52′43″N 76°16′39″W / 36.8786°N 76.2774°W |
| No. of animals | 350 |
| No. of species | 115 |
| Memberships | AZA |
The Virginia Zoological Park is a 53-acre (21 ha) zoo located in Norfolk, Virginia, United States. It's a fantastic place to see animals from all over the world! The zoo first opened in 1900. In 1987, it earned a special approval from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which means it meets high standards for animal care and education.
Contents
Discover the Zoo's History
How the Zoo Began
In 1892, the city of Norfolk bought the land that is now Lafayette Park. By 1900, the park started bringing in animals for people to see. Just one year later, in 1901, the zoo had over 200 animals! This included many different mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Changes and New Names
In 1974, the animal area was fenced off from the rest of the city park. It was then called Lafayette Zoological Park. Even with the fence, people living nearby could sometimes see the elephants from their homes! New people in the area, who didn't know there was a zoo, sometimes even called the police when they saw the elephants. Between 1974 and 1980, many of the zoo's older animal homes were updated.
Also in 1974, a group called "Friends of the Zoo" was started. They helped support the zoo's growth. Later, in 1989, this group became the Virginia Zoological Society. It's a non-profit group that helps the zoo a lot.
In 1985, the zoo got a new name again: the Virginia Zoological Park at Norfolk. Most people just call it the Virginia Zoo. Two years later, in 1987, the zoo received its important accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
Growing with New Plans
In 1992, the city and the Virginia Zoological Society made a big plan for the zoo's future. This plan included building a new Education Complex and Visitor Center. It also planned for new animal areas based on different parts of the world, like Africa, North America, Australia, South America, and Asia.
In 1999, the first part of this big plan opened. It included a home for Gelada baboons and an "Xaxaba African village." This was also the 100th anniversary of the Virginia Zoo and Lafayette Park! In 2001, work began on designing the North America exhibit. The next year, in 2002, the "African Okavango Delta" exhibit opened, finishing the first big phase of the plan.
In 2004, a prairie dog habitat opened. The following year, the zoo welcomed a new elephant named Cita. In 2011, a major new exhibit called "Trail of the Tiger" opened. This area features many animals from India and Southeast Asia.
Explore the Exciting Exhibits
Trail of the Tiger
Opened in 2011, the "Trail of the Tiger" exhibit takes you on an adventure through Asia. It almost doubles the number of large animals you can see at the zoo! Here are some of the amazing animals you might spot:
- Malayan tigers
- Oriental small-clawed otters
- Bornean orangutans
- Siamangs
- Northern white-cheeked gibbons
- Malayan tapirs
- Binturongs
- Rhinoceros hornbills
- Fairy-bluebirds
- Azure-winged magpies
- Chestnut-breasted malkoha
This exhibit has a raised walkway that goes over an "Asian forest." There's also a cool cave where you can see the tigers and orangutans up close. Another special spot lets you watch the otters and tigers swimming underwater!
Okavango Delta
This exhibit, which opened in 2002, is named after the real Okavango Delta in Africa. It's home to many animals that live in African grasslands and wetlands.
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Lioness
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Tiger
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Grant's zebra
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