Zoo Atlanta

Atlanta, Georgia: Just outside downtown Atlanta lies a lush oasis home to 1,400 wild animals. Zoo Atlanta features 40 acres of habitat home to over 200 species of animals including the Giant Panda. In fact, the zoo is one of only four places in the United States where you can see the Giant Panda.

Zoo Atlanta was founded in 1889 by George Gress. He purchased a travelling circus and created a zoo with the circus animals at Grant Park. The zoo continued to expand throughout the years, resulting in the world class venue it is today.

The park is broken down into four regions: African Plains, The African Rain Forest, Asian Forest and Kid Zone. The African Plains is the first region you will encounter in the park. Here you will find the elephants, lions, rhinos and a savannah home to giraffes, zebras and Bongos.

Next you will enter into the African Rain Forest. The highlight of region is the gorilla exhibit, home to nation’s largest collection of gorillas. Here twenty gorillas live in a 1.5 acre habitat. Since the exhibit opened in 1988, the park has witness birth to 21 gorillas at the park.

The third region of the park is the Asian Forest. The Asian Forest is home to tigers, orangutan, red pandas, naked mole rats and more. It is also where you will find the World of Reptiles, a collection of over 400 reptiles. But the biggest attraction in the Asian Forest is the Giant Pandas. Zoo Atlanta received Lun Lun and Yang Yang on a loan from China in 1999. The pair have given birth to five offspring, including a pair of twins in 2013. Currently the twins and their parents are the only Giant Pandas residing at Zoo Atlanta, the other three offspring are living at the Chengu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China.

The final region of the park is the Kid Zone. This is home to the children’s petting zoo and also a few kiddie rides.

In addition to the animal exhibits, Zoo Atlanta features several dining options and educating shows. 

Zoo Atlanta is located in southeast Atlanta in Grant Park. It is open year round and admission is $22.99 for adults with discounted rates for children and seniors.

 Click on the photo above to view my Zoo Atlanta photo gallery.

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