The Metro Richmond Zoo commemorates its 30th anniversary in 2025, celebrating three decades of growth and dedication to wildlife care, education, and conservation. What began with just 250 animals has grown into a vibrant institution on 150 acres, now home to 2,000 animals representing 190 species from around the world!
The Metro Richmond Zoo is accredited by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA). The zoo collaborates with numerous zoological parks worldwide on conservation programs directed by the ZAA and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to manage the populations of wildlife in human care. The zoo is nationally recognized for its successful conservation programs for the following endangered species: cheetah, African penguin, and Diana monkey.
As we celebrate 30 years, we remain dedicated to expanding our mission to protect animals and inspire guests. Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to the years ahead.
Here is a timeline featuring significant milestones from the last 30 years:
1995: The zoo opens on Earth Day, April 22, with 250 animals covering 30 acres of land.
1996: The zoo welcomes its first White rhino, Jack. Cheetah brothers Levi and Zach become the zoo’s first carnivores.
1997: The zoo opens the Bengal tiger habitat and the chimp and orangutan islands.
1998: A new entrance, gift shop, and office are built at the zoo.
1999: Two baby chimps are rescued and find a new home at the zoo. The first De Brazza’s monkey is born.
2000: The lion habitat opens.
2001: The first Reticulated giraffe calf is born at the zoo.
2002: The original flamingo habitat, located next to the penguins, opens.
2003: The Safari Skylift is installed, and the zoo expands with the opening of the North American Boardwalk, featuring alligators, bison, and elk. A new Christmas tradition begins as “The Miracle of Christmas – Live at the Zoo” premieres in December.
2004: The walk-in bird aviary opens, featuring ducks, spoonbills, and ibises.
2005: The Asiatic black bear habitat opens. The zoo receives accreditation from the Zoological Association of America for the first time and has successfully renewed it every five years since then.
2006: A second giraffe indoor shelter is constructed to accommodate the expanding herd. A new café opens by the skylift. The Jungle Carousel arrives.
2007: African clawless otters arrive at the zoo.
2008: The Safari Train Ride is built, expanding the zoo’s size by 10 acres. The interactive budgie aviary opens.
2009: Hatari and Kitu, two male cheetahs, arrive at the zoo.
2010: The zoo expands the front entrance, increasing the size of the gift shop and offices. The membership center is created.
2011: The zoo purchases 52 acres of adjacent land to begin construction at the Cheetah Conservation Center.
2012: Five adult cheetahs arrive at the Cheetah Conservation Center.
2013: The 100th African penguin chick hatches at the zoo. Lana gives birth to five cubs, marking the first cheetah litter for the MRZ.
2014: Treetop Zoofari, Richmond’s first Zipline and Adventure Park, opens at the zoo in February.
2015: A new animal hospital opens on site at the zoo. Kumbali and Kago, cheetah and dog best buds, are introduced.
2016: The zoo’s first litter of snow leopards is born.
2017: The zoo is the recipient of ZAA’s Excellence in Breeding award for cheetahs.
2018: The Hippo Haven habitat opens. The 25th endangered Diana monkey is born at the zoo.
2019: The Penguin Falls Drop Tower is installed. The zoo purchases 30 acres of adjacent land to facilitate future expansions and increase parking capacity.
2020: The zoo introduces Drive-Thru Tours, a temporary experience during the COVID-19 lockdown. The zoo opens new sloth and otter habitats and welcomes Gray wolves to the park for the first time. The zoo begins hosting bi-annual Run Wild Races to raise funds for animal conservation.
2021: The zoo is the recipient of ZAA’s Long Term Commitment and Significant Propagation of a Single Species Award for African penguins.
2022: The new train station opens. The 100th endangered cheetah cub is born at the zoo.
2023: ET, the world’s oldest African penguin, turns 43. The zoo purchases 167 acres of adjacent land to pave the way for future expansions. A serious fire destroys the zoo’s animal hospital, workshop, and zookeeper building, causing $1 million in damages. The zoo launches an improved online ticketing system.
2024: The new lemur loop expansion opens with seven new habitats. The facilities destroyed by the fire are rebuilt less than one year later. The renovated Critter Climb Playland opens.
2025: Poppy, the world-famous Pygmy hippo calf, splashes onto habitat, social media, and global news. Treetop Zoofari is being renovated, and the zoo’s pathways are being repaved. As of 2025, 149 endangered cheetahs have been born at the zoo, and 316 endangered African penguins have hatched.
