Mill Mountain Zoo

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Mill Mountain Zoo
Mill Mountain Zoo
37°14′55.97″N79°56′10.56″W / 37.2488806°N 79.9362667°W / 37.2488806; -79.9362667
Date openedJuly 4, 1952 [1]
Location Roanoke, Virginia, United States
No. of animals85 [1] (3 endangered species) [1]
No. of species35
DirectorNiki Voudren
Website mmzoo.org

Mill Mountain Zoo is a non-profit zoo, located atop Mill Mountain in Roanoke, Virginia, dedicated to fostering connections between people and wildlife to promote conservation and environmental stewardship. The zoo emphasizes educational programs, conservation initiatives, and interactive animal experiences to encourage appreciation for biodiversity.

Contents

Highlighting species native to the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains, such as Red Wolves, Bald Eagles, and Black Bears, the zoo celebrates regional ecosystems while supporting global conservation efforts for animals like Snow Leopards and Red Pandas. As a non-profit, all donations and purchases directly support the zoo's mission to preserve wildlife and ecosystems for future generations.

History

The zoo opened as the Children’s Zoo in 1952. Originally operating with a fairy tale and nursery rhyme theme, the zoo had various structures and attractions that paid homage to popular children’s stories, including the schoolhouse from "Mary Had a Little Lamb", the houses from the "Three Little Pigs", and the shoe from "There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe", which stood at the entrance to the zoo. In its early years, most of the animals on exhibit were native to the area, with a notable exception being a group of prairie dogs that were brought from Texas. [2]

With its location atop Mill Mountain not being conducive to a major expansion, a proposal was developed in 1984 to relocate the zoo to a 400-acre (160 ha) tract adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway to be called the Blue Ridge Zoo. [3] This proposal was later abandoned in favor of the development of Virginia's Explore Park at that location. [3] After the failed relocation proposal, the Blue Ridge Zoological Society voted in 1988 to keep the zoo permanently atop Mill Mountain. [4] As part of this decision, a 10-year master plan, called Zoo 2001, was completed in 1991, with some of its suggestions implemented over the course of the next decade. [4]

The zoo was accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) from 1995 [5] to 2016. Due to the zoo's financial situation at the time, the AZA declined to renew its accreditation, but the organization upheld that the zoo continued to excel in its general operation and animal welfare. [6] Since 2019, Mill Mountain Zoo has retained accreditation through the Zoological Association of America (ZAA). [7] [8]

In June 2021, the zoo completed its largest capital project in three decades and added a black bear, heritage goats, hogs, and other animals. [9]

Recent Additions

Attractions and notable animals

Postcard of Zoo Choo at Mill Mountain Zoo R-82. 'Zoo Choo' at Children's Zoo on Mill Mountain, Roanoke, Va.jpg
Postcard of Zoo Choo at Mill Mountain Zoo

The zoo is host to 85 animals among 35 species, including one critically endangered species, the red wolf, and four on the endangered list, the red panda, wood turtle, golden poison dart frog, and snow leopard. [1]

Red Wolves are protected under SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction). This program supports conservation efforts for this species by maintaining a healthy and viable population of red wolves under human care, growing education and awareness efforts, and aiding in research vital to supporting recovery and management. Captive red wolves are located throughout the country at different SAFE facilities, but they are managed as a single population. Transfers between facilities for breeding to accommodate genetics management objectives to help maintain a healthy and diverse population.

The following are some of the more notable animals and attractions that have been at the zoo:

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Zoo Facts". Mill Mountain Zoo. Archived from the original on 2008-03-16. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
  2. ↑ Harris, Nelson (October 31, 2023). "Let's Do a Zoo!". The Roanoker. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  3. 1 2 Yancey, Dwayne (July 16, 1990). "Ruby making Zoo something to roar about". The Roanoke Times. p. A1.
  4. 1 2 Lu, Kathy (January 17, 2000). "Proposed zoo renovations leave nothing to Occident". The Roanoke Times. p. C1.
  5. ↑ "History". Mill Mountain Zoo. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  6. ↑ Lucas, Rachel (2016-09-24). "Mill Mountain Zoo loses AZA accredidation". WSLS. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  7. ↑ Dashiell, Joe (2019-03-15). "Mill Mountain Zoo earns accreditation". WDBJ7. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  8. ↑ "Accreditation". Zoological Association of America. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  9. ↑ Dashiell, Joe (6 July 2021). "Mill Mountain Zoo has new animals and new leadership". www.wdbj7.com. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
  10. 1 2 Cramer, John (May 5, 2007). "Zoo Choo to take one-way trip". The Roanoke Times. p. B1.
  11. ↑ "History of the Zoo". Mill Mountain Zoo (Official Web Site). Archived from the original on July 7, 2010. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  12. ↑ Shamy, Ed; Yancey, Dwayne (September 16, 1990). "Small crisis on par for Zoo's 38-year course". The Roanoke Times. p. A1.
  13. ↑ Codispoti, Amanda (July 10, 2006). "Oops the monkey found, returned to zoo". The Roanoke Times. p. A1. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013.
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