Zoo Knoxville - A Generational Experience
We sat down with Zoo Knoxville CEO, Lisa New, for a candid interview to learn more about our beloved Zoo Knoxville. Like most businesses, the pandemic brought its challenges but with the help of the community, this treasured Knoxville landmark is looking forward to better days.
After a year of binding together as a community - Oliver Royale, The Oliver Hotel and Peter Kern Library have committed to raising funds for a Knoxville-based organization, non-profit, charity or business for each quarter of 2021.
This quarter, we chose Zoo Knoxville and this interview shares in more detail why.
Getting to know Zoo Knoxville
The Modern Knoxville Zoo dates back to 1971 - ringing in its 50th anniversary this year! From historical moments, like becoming the home to the first African elephant born in the western hemisphere in 1978, to being the first zoo to successfully breed the second generation of captive-born Arakan Forest turtles and common spider tortoises - Zoo Knoxville has made important contributions in the science of conservation.
In speaking with CEO, Lisa New, perhaps equally as impactful of a contribution has been seeing and hearing the stories of generations of families who are now bringing their own children to the zoo as adults decades later. Zoo Knoxville is accredited by the National Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) where they have the opportunity to work with other accredited facilities on a collective species survival plan for all animals that live in AZA accredited zoos in North America.
Zoo Knoxville & the Pandemic
This time last year the zoo was closed for over sixty days which created a significant financial hardship. During a time of year when traffic is high due to Spring Break visitors - the loss of this peak season was a hard hit for the zoo.
Despite their apprehension and careful consideration to not burden the community, it was simultaneously an amazing moment of reflection to see how much the community plays an active role in the culture of Zoo Knoxville.
Throughout the closure, people continued to be deeply fascinated and interested in what was going on inside the zoo and the community responded in a BIG way! The Mayor and City Council voted to support the zoo, affording them a long-term low interest loan from the county in addition to a remarkable $300k raised by everyday citizens of Knoxville.
This coming together helped close a gap that seemed insurmountable at the moment.
Exciting Happenings at Zoo Knoxville
On May 18, 2020 Zoo Knoxville reopened and the people of Knoxville have steadily been coming ever since! The outdoor nature of visiting the zoo made for a safe place for the community to experience fun outdoors in the height of the pandemic.
In the past 5 years the zoo has experienced exponential growth and redevelopment of over 1/3 of its property to include the newly opened Clayton Family Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) Campus. This 12,500 square foot+, indoor facility showcases exciting species like the radiated tortoise, poison dart frog, red spitting cobra, gravity defying cuban croc, and sloths and highlights the work that Zoo Knoxville is most famous for - the conservation work for turtles, reptiles, and amphibians. The North American river otter exhibit will open later this summer 2021.
How you can partner with us to raise funds for Zoo Knoxville
In addition to purchasing daily passes and memberships, or attending special events such as Behind the Scenes Tours, Night Safaris, Zoo Camp, the annual Boo at the Zoo or their Craft Bear Nights featuring extended hours on Thursdays to sample local food trucks and breweries - patronizing Oliver Royale, Peter Kern Library and The Oliver Hotel allows you to give back too! Here’s how:
Now through June 30, 2021 -
For every Royale Roulette or Librarian Recommendation (PKL) ordered - a $1 donation will be made on your behalf to Zoo Knoxville..
A percentage of every ticket purchased to our June Virtual Cocktail Class will be donated to Zoo Knoxville.
Our hotel room minibars are now stocked with Flying Panda Specialty Beverages and Tip Top Proper Cocktails. A $1 donation will be made on your behalf when you purchase either beverage while staying with us.
We can’t wait to see how together, we can make a huge difference in our community!
For more information on Zoo Knoxville - visit their site at zooknoxville.org
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