Editing Little Rock Zoo

{{short description|Zoo in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States}}
{{Infobox zoo
|zoo_name=Little Rock Zoo
|logo=LRZoologo.png
|logo_width=245px
|image=MuleriderOnTheRoad LittleRock Zoo 7636 (2) (12293347083).jpg
|image_caption=Little Rock Zoo Entrance
|location=[[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]], [[Arkansas]], United States
|coordinates={{coord|34.7464|-92.3321|type:landmark_region:US-AR|display=inline,title}}
|date_opened=1926
|area={{convert|33|acre|ha}}
|num_animals=725 <ref name="zoo_history"/>
|num_species=200 <ref name="zoo_history"/>
|annual_visitors=307,437<ref>{{cite web |title=Zoo Sees Largest Gate Attendance in 10 Years |date=19 January 2012 |url=https://katv.com/archive/zoo-sees-largest-gate-attendance-in-10-years |publisher=KATV}}</ref>
|members=[[Association of Zoos and Aquariums|AZA]]<ref name="aza_list"/>
|website=http://www.littlerockzoo.com
}}

The '''Little Rock Zoo''' was founded in 1924 and is located in [[Little Rock, Arkansas]], [[United States]]. It is home to more than 400 animals representing over 200 [[species]], and covers an area of {{convert|33|acre|ha}}. The Arkansas Zoological Foundation is a private 501 c (3) organization that raises funds for zoo development.<ref name="zoo_history"/> The Little Rock Zoo is a department of the city of Little Rock. It is the largest zoo in Arkansas, and the only Arkansas zoo accredited by the [[Association of Zoos and Aquariums]] (AZA).<ref name="zoo_history"/>

==History==
[[File:Little Rock municipal zoo, Little Rock, Arkansas.jpg|thumb|left|Little Rock Municipal Zoo, c. 1930-1945]]
The Little Rock Zoo was started in 1924 when then Mayor Brickhouse established a zoo commission to begin work creating a municipal zoo. Over the years it has grown to include 400 animals representing more than 200 species.<ref name="zoo_history"/>

The first buildings at the zoo were made of local stone and built by the [[Works Progress Administration]] (WPA). These buildings were built in the 1930s and were home to primates, reptiles, birds, and big cats. They are still in use, and the cat house was renovated into a restaurant with the feel of an African style lodge.<ref name="zoo_history"/> The big cat exhibit was built in the 1980s along with other exhibits for [[great ape]]s, crocodiles, alligators, sloth bears, and river otters.

Lemur Island opened in the 1990s, and an African Lion Exhibit was also added at this time, as well as the Civitan Pavilion for special events and the Civitan Amphitheater for educational programming.<ref name="zoo_history"/> The zoo acquired a children's farm with an interactive contact yard and train station. In 2001 the board of directors approved a new Zoo Master Plan, which included a new African Veldt Exhibit. The newly restored Over the Jumps [[carousel]], a fully restored antique carousel, made its home at the Little Rock Zoo in the October 2007. An African penguin exhibit, Laura P. Nichols Penguin Pointe, opened on March 5, 2011. The Laura P. Nichols Cheetah Outpost opened on July 7, 2012. The Arkansas Heritage Farm opened on April 2, 2016. The Zoo added the Conservation Learning Center in 2020 and a new Colobus habitat and serval habitat in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hennelly |first1=Conor J. |title=Little Rock Zoo |url=https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/little-rock-zoo-2301/ |publisher=Encyclopedia of Arkansas}}</ref>

==Exhibits==
The Little Rock Zoo is divided into themed areas where the animals can be viewed. Some exhibits are based on the animal's natural environment, while others group similar animals together.

*'''ZOO ENTRANCE'''
The entrance to the zoo includes the "Over-The-Jumps" Carousel, the Animal Shows Amphitheater, and Lorikeet Landing, where visitors can see and feed [[rainbow lorikeet]]s.

*[[File:Baby Orangutan.jpg|thumb|Baby [[orangutan]] with mother in January 2020 at Little Rock Zoo]]'''GREAT APES'''
The Great [[Ape]]s exhibit includes a walkway that allows the visitors to have an eagle's eye view of the ape's enclosures. A [[western lowland gorilla]] family group can be seen on one side of the walkway and the [[chimpanzee]] and the [[Bornean orangutan]] can be seen on the other, both in their own separate enclosures. Outside of this exhibit, various primate islands can be found that are home to the [[ring-tailed lemur]], [[black-and-white ruffed lemur]], [[blue-eyed black lemur]] and [[black-handed spider monkey]].<ref name="zoo_east">{{cite web|url=http://www.littlerockzoo.com/eastzoozone|title=East Zoo Zone|work=littlerockzoo.com|publisher=Little Rock Zoo|access-date=2011-03-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100911183703/http://www.littlerockzoo.com/eastzoozone|archive-date=2010-09-11|url-status=dead}}</ref>

*'''LAURA P. NICHOLS PENGUIN POINTE'''

[[File:Siamang LR Zoo.jpg|thumb|[[Siamang]] singing at Little Rock Zoo]]
Laura P. Nichols Penguin Pointe houses the [[African penguin]] and mimics an African shoreline, specifically [[Boulders Beach]], with viewing of the penguins both above and below the water.<ref name="zoo_east"/>

*'''Primates, Reptiles, Birds, & More'''
The Primates, Reptiles, Birds & More building was built in 1936 and features many exotic animals from around the world, including ones from the primate, reptile, and bird families.<ref name="zoo_south">{{cite web|url=http://www.littlerockzoo.com/southzoozone|title=South Zoo Zone|work=littlerockzoo.com|publisher=Little Rock Zoo}}{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

''Reptile House''

Snakes - [[red spitting cobra]], [[garden tree boa]], [[puff adder]], [[pine snake]], [[eastern copperhead]], [[pygmy rattlesnake]], [[Crotalus lepidus|rock rattlesnake]], [[eastern diamondback rattlesnake]], [[cottonmouth]], [[black rat snake]], [[corn snake]], [[mole snake]], [[Asiatic rock python]], [[green tree python]], [[reticulated python]], [[Burmese python]], [[Mexican burrowing python]], [[eastern indigo snake]], [[milk snake]], [[white-lipped tree viper]], [[Gaboon viper]], [[eyelash viper]], [[Philippine pit viper]], [[eastern kingsnake]] and [[Taylor's cantil]].

''Other Reptiles''

[[American alligator]], [[blue-tongued skink]], [[Madagascar giant day gecko]], [[leopard gecko]], [[tokay gecko]], [[Gila monster]], [[scheltopusik]], [[frilled-neck lizard]], [[Sudan plated lizard]], [[Gekko kuhli|Kuhl's flying gecko]], [[Solomon Islands skink]], [[green iguana]], [[red tegu]], [[plumed basilisk]], [[Collared Lizard]]{{dn|date=September 2024}}, [[common snakeneck turtle]], [[spiny softshell turtle]], [[African spurred tortoise]], [[alligator snapping turtle]], and [[three-toed box turtle]].

''Amphibians''

[[African bullfrog]], [[Chuxiong fire-bellied newt]], [[dyeing poison dart frog]], [[green and black poison dart frog]], [[Oriental fire-bellied toad]], [[tiger salamander]], [[White's tree frog]] and [[yellow-banded poison dart frog]].
[[File:Young Chimpanzee at LR Zoo.jpg|thumb|Young [[chimpanzee]] at LR Zoo]]
''Invertebrates''

[[Asian forest scorpion]], [[Brazilian cockroach]] and [[Chilean rose tarantula]].

''Primate House''

[[Geoffrey's marmoset]], [[Goeldi's monkey]], [[lesser spot-nosed guenon]], [[Mohol bushbaby]], [[pygmy slow loris]], [[southern three-banded armadillo]], [[tufted capuchin]] and [[white-faced saki]].

''Tropical Bird House''

[[Roseate spoonbill]], [[scarlet ibis]], [[black-naped fruit dove]], [[grey peacock-pheasant]], [[red junglefowl]], [[Scheepmaker's crowned pigeon]], [[Nicobar pigeon]], [[mandarin duck]], [[Madagascar teal]], [[marbled teal]], [[ruddy shelduck]] and the [[green aracari]].

*'''Asian Elephants'''
The elephant exhibit is home to the zoo's [[Asian elephants]]. The elephant exhibit is extremely large in order to house these gigantic animals. The elephants also have a large stretch of yard to walk around in outside. There is a large viewing window for the visitors in the front and large banners on the sides that have famous quotes from notable figures citing the majesty and importance of elephants.<ref name="zoo_south"/>

*'''Arkansas Heritage Farm'''
The Arkansas Heritage Farm exhibit features the Arkansas' Diamond Express train as well as a chicken yard for the [[araucana]], [[Barred Rock]], [[silkie]], [[Polish (chicken)|Polish crested chicken]], [[Faverolles (chicken)|salmon faverolles chicken]], [[red junglefowl]], [[wild turkey]], [[Toulouse goose]], and the [[Sebastopol goose]]. The farm's barn houses the mammals of this exhibit. The [[donkey]], and [[miniature horse]] are located on the left side of the barn and the [[pygmy goat]], [[Southdown (sheep)|baby doll sheep]]. This exhibit also has a [[Ringtail]] habitat, a butterfly garden, and a viewing area for the [[Aldabra giant tortoise]] and [[spur-thighed tortoise]]. This exhibit is located next to the waterfowl pond where the [[bar-headed goose]], [[Canada goose]], and [[Chilean flamingo]] can be found.<ref name="zoo_south"/>

*'''Small Carnivores'''
The Small Carnivores exhibit features the [[red fox]] from North America, the [[caracal]] from Africa, the [[fossa (animal)|fossa]] from Madagascar, the [[ocelot]] from South America, and the [[clouded leopard]] and [[Reeve's muntjac]] from Asia.<ref name="zoo_west"/>

*'''Bears'''
The [[North American river otter]] and the [[spotted-necked otter]] can be seen at the entrance. The first enclosure houses a [[sloth bear]], who is separated from visitors by a moat. The main attraction is the [[grizzly bear]] enclosure which has a large glass viewing window in order for people to see the grizzlies up-close. The [[bush dog]] and [[Woodchuck]] are located at the end of the exhibit.<ref name="zoo_west"/>

[[File:Vic Snyder with giraffe.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Vic Snyder|Congressman Vic Snyder]] visiting the zoo, 2005]]
*'''African Savannah'''
The African Savannah is a mixed species enclosure that features the [[grey crowned crane]], [[ostrich]], [[reticulated giraffe]]s, and [[Grant's zebra]]s.<ref name="zoo_north">{{cite web|url=http://www.littlerockzoo.com/northzoozone|title=North Zoo Zone|work=littlerockzoo.com|publisher=Little Rock Zoo|access-date=2011-03-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100330154906/http://www.littlerockzoo.com/northzoozone|archive-date=2010-03-30|url-status=dead}}</ref>

*'''Africa'''
The Africa exhibit features the [[eastern black rhinoceros]] as well as smaller enclosures for [[Angola colobus]] and [[serval]]s.

*'''Big Cats'''
The Big Cats exhibit features [[lion]]s, [[tiger]]s, [[Alpaca]]s and [[jaguar]]s. <ref name="zoo_north"/>

*'''Laura P. Nichols Cheetah Outpost'''
The Laura P. Nichols Cheetah Outpost exhibit educates visitors about cheetah conservation efforts and African wildlife. Along with the [[cheetah]], [[Kirk's dik-dik]] and the [[blue crane]] can be seen in front of the outpost. Inside the outpost, the [[naked mole-rat]], [[Madagascar hissing cockroach]], [[African bullfrog]], [[Angolan python]], [[Standing's day gecko]] and the [[Indian crested porcupine]].

*'''OVERLOOK TRAIL'''
On the Overlook Trail, the [[maned wolf]], [[giant forest hog]]s, [[red river hog]], [[Indian peafowl]], [[Kirk's dik-dik]], [[yellow-backed duiker]], [[giant anteater]], [[white-handed gibbon]], [[siamang]], [[Greater Kudu]], [[Abyssinian ground hornbill]] and [[secretarybird]] can be seen.


==Conservation==
The Little Rock Zoo participates in the AZA [[Species Survival Plan]] (SSP), and has contributed to the survival of many threatened and endangered species.<ref name="zoo_ssp"/>

==Annual Events==
Wild Wines Zoo Brew GloWILD<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.littlerock.com/little-rock-events/2019/10/24/default-calendar/boo-at-the-zoo19| title=Boo at the Zoo |publisher=City of Little Rock |access-date=16 April 2022}}</ref>

==Zoo Master Plan==
The Little Rock Zoo intends to create a zoogeographic zoo to help the public learn about the habitats and create a more natural zoo for the animals. The included renovations and additions include an Arkansas Farmstead exhibit with native species and information on the importance of agriculture to the state.

Additionally the continent of Asia, which will be located where the Greats Apes exhibit is at present, with a larger elephant exhibit, orangutans, blackbuck antelope, sarus cranes, and other Asian species, the continent of Africa with a new giraffe barn, the African Veldt mixed species exhibit, a new cheetah habitat, the African forest area, and the African Outpost, a new entry complex located north of Zoo Drive complete with a new restaurant, carnival style rides, and an ice cream parlor and a New Discovery Center education center with new rooms, exhibits, and education animals.<ref name="zoo_azf"/>

==References==

{{reflist |refs=
<ref name="zoo_history">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.littlerockzoo.com/history
|title=History |work=littlerockzoo.com
|publisher=Little Rock Zoo
|accessdate=7 May 2010
}}</ref>

<ref name="zoo_ssp">{{cite web
|url=http://www.littlerockzoo.com/ssp
|title=Species Survival Plan
|work=littlerockzoo.com
|publisher=Little Rock Zoo
|accessdate=7 May 2010
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409003147/http://www.littlerockzoo.com/ssp
|archive-date=9 April 2010
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>

<!--<ref name="zoo_map">
{{cite web
|url=https://www.littlerockzoo.com/zoomap_1
|title=Zoo Map
|work=littlerockzoo.com
|publisher=Little Rock Zoo
|accessdate=2 August 2018
}}</ref>-->

<ref name="zoo_west">{{cite web
|url=http://www.littlerockzoo.com/westzoozone
|title=West Zoo Zone
|work=littlerockzoo.com
|publisher=Little Rock Zoo
|accessdate=19 March 2010
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100911183708/http://www.littlerockzoo.com/westzoozone
|archive-date=11 September 2010
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>

<ref name="aza_list">
{{ZooOrg|aza|zoos|accessdate=19 March 2011}}
</ref>

<ref name="zoo_azf">{{cite web
|url=http://www.zoofoundation.org/masterplan/
|title=Zoo Masterplan
|work=zoofoundation.org
|publisher=Arkansas Zoological Foundation
|accessdate=26 December 2010
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091129014405/http://www.zoofoundation.org/masterplan
|archive-date=29 November 2009
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>

}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{official website|http://www.littlerockzoo.com}}

{{Little Rock, Arkansas}}
{{Zoos of Arkansas}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Zoos in Arkansas]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Little Rock, Arkansas]]
[[Category:1926 establishments in Arkansas]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Little Rock, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Educational organizations established in 1926]]
[[Category:Zoos established in the 1920s]]