PRESS KIT
NAME
Metro Richmond Zoo
“Richmond Metro Zoo” and “Metro Zoo” are not correct.
If “Virginia” is referenced in our name, please consider saying “the Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia” or “Virginia’s Metro Richmond Zoo” instead of “a zoo in Virginia” or “a Virginia zoo” to eliminate confusion with The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk.
LOCATION
8300 Beaver Bridge Road, Moseley, VA 23120
The zoo is located in the Greater Richmond Region about 20 miles southwest of the capital. The zoo is situated on 150 acres of rolling hills in Chesterfield County.
HOURS
Open: Monday – Saturday, 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed: Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day
DAILY TICKETS & MEMBERSHIP PRICES
Click for more information about daily tickets and memberships. Parking is free.
MISSION
Our mission is to protect animals through conservation programs and inspire guests by providing up-close, educational encounters with the wild.
HISTORY
The Metro Richmond Zoo opened on April 22, 1995. The zoo is privately owned and operated. Our sole funding comes from admission, gift shop, and cafe sales. We do not receive any government funding. Jim Andelin is the zoo director.
PARK MAP
Click to see the zoo’s map.
ANIMALS
The zoo is home to over 2,000 animals representing 190 species worldwide. Animals native to North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia live at the zoo. By the number of animals, the zoo is Virginia’s largest zoological park. Exhibits at the zoo are spacious and designed to mimic the animals’ natural habitats. Guest favorites include our lions, cheetahs, giraffes, rhinos, pygmy hippos, penguins, bears, sloths, monkeys, tigers, apes, and Kumbali and Kago – our cheetah and dog companionship.
GUEST EXPERIENCES
A WILD world awaits our visitors. Guests can come face-to-face with tigers, monkeys, apes, pygmy hippos, bats, and reptiles with nothing but glass in between. Our habitats provide guests with spectacular, close-up views of the animals.
For an additional fee, visitors can feed the giraffes (from the palm of their hand), camels, barnyard animals, budgie birds, and more. Zoo visitors can purchase tickets for any of our four rides: Safari Train Ride, Safari Sky Lift, Penguin Falls Drop Tower, and Jungle Carousel.
Our more-daring guests can check out Treetop Zoofari Zipline and Adventure Park, a separately ticketed attraction located at the zoo. Two adventure courses are available: Treetop Zoofari and Junior Explorer. Participants on the larger Treetop Zoofari course experience the zoo from the trees. They zip over animals, the lake, and through the forest.
AMENITIES
The zoo has restrooms, food locations, picnic areas, park benches, and a gift shop. Stroller and adult transport chair rentals are available. The zoo is wheelchair accessible.
ANIMAL CARE & ACCREDITATION
The health and safety of our animals are our #1 priority. All animals at the zoo have access to food, water, and shelter at all times and enrichment items to interact with. Our animal care professionals care for the animals 365 days a year, and the zoo has an on-site animal hospital for veterinary staff to administer medical care as needed. The Metro Richmond Zoo is accredited by the Zoological Association of America. By visiting a ZAA-accredited facility, guests can have confidence the zoo upholds the highest levels of professional standards in animal welfare, safety, and ethics.
CONSERVATION
Conservation is an essential pillar of our mission, and we are proud to support conservation efforts around the globe. Each year, the Metro Richmond Zoo makes financial contributions to fund several conservation projects throughout the world. We support conservation organizations in over 10 countries. The Metro Richmond Zoo works with many zoos and conservation organizations to increase populations of endangered and threatened species. The zoo is well-known for our successful cheetah, African penguin, and Diana monkey conservation programs.
EDUCATION
The zoo offers interactive educational programs for all ages. Zoo guests can attend free Keeper Talks each day to learn about penguins, otters, siamangs, cheetahs, and more. People can schedule behind-the scenes tours, summer camps, private animal encounters, field trips, and Zoo to Yous.
EVENTS
In the spring and fall, the zoo hosts a Run Wild Races event to raise money for animal conservation. In December, the zoo hosts the Miracle of Christmas-Live at the Zoo.
AWARDS
The zoo was the recipient of the 2017 ZAA Excellence in Breeding award for our work in cheetah conservation. In 2021, we received the ZAA Long-Term Commitment and Significant Propagation of a Single Species award for African penguins.
PRESS RELEASES
See the zoo’s newsroom for our most recent press releases and press coverage.
MEDIA ASSETS
Click for logo files and photos. For specific image requests, contact the zoo. All photo credit can be given to “Metro Richmond Zoo.” Click for a highlight video.
CONTACT
- Zoo office email: [email protected]
- Zoo office phone: (804) 739-5666
- Taylor, Communications Manager: [email protected]
SOCIAL MEDIA
All references to the zoo on social media should tag our appropriate accounts: