JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
The Chattanooga Zoo, located near the heart of Gig City on North Holtzclaw Avenue, is a well-known and beloved attraction filled with numerous animals and activities for guests of all ages to experience.
First opened in 1937, over many decades the Chattanooga Zoo grew into a widely known attraction throughout the greater Chattanooga area. The zoo hosts seven different exhibits housing a vast and diverse assortment of animal species, ranging from chimpanzees and giraffes, to reptiles, red pandas, as well as warthogs and meerkats. Jake Cash, Director of Marketing and Communications, explained the zoo’s mission is to help bring education and awareness of different animal species and the environments in which they inhabit to the community. He noted by doing so would bring a more personal and collaborative connection between man and animal.
He explained how one of the steps that the zoo also strives for is general affordability for memberships and ticket prices. He noted how memberships can allow guests to enjoy the zoo’s various attractions, while also providing discounts and perks for different exclusive events, gift shop items, and food products.
“There’s technically nine options, where you can either go individual, dual, or family. And within that you can be standard, silver, or gold. So it’s very customizable based on your needs,” explained Cash.
Darde Long, CEO and President of the zoo, explained the facility stands out from others throughout the state for its smaller and more confined size, making it a more walkable and intimate destination for visitors of all ages to enjoy. The zoo is also one of the first zoos in the nation to build an indoor exhibit dedicated to red pandas, while also being only one out of six zoos that houses pied tamarins. Pied tamarins are a species of endangered primates who inhabit the Amazon Rainforest in South America.
Long has been part of the zoo for 40 years, starting out in 1985 as a zookeeper until over time working her way up into her current position today. One major task she has accomplished for the zoo was making it recognized under the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), recognition that not many zoos across the nation are accredited for. To become recognized, a zoo is required to meet a certain amount of excellence in terms of animal care and conservation, as well as provide high standards of public education.
“Even though we’re not the San Diego Zoo, everything we do on a smaller scale has to be at that same level of excellence,” explained Long.
To this day, the Chattanooga Zoo continues to flourish as a major destination within the Chattanooga area, as well as a major partner of various programs dedicated to the conservation and protection of wildlife species. All administrative members of the zoo look ahead to expand its education program and animal care hospital, as well as continuing its work into remaining a go-to destination for visitors of all ages to experience year round.