Jackson Zoo
2918 West Capitol St.
Jackson, MS 39209
(601)352-2580

  

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Map of Zoo

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History of the Jackson Zoo

1916 - The City of Jackson acquires 79 acres of undeveloped land from Samuel Livingston for $36,000.

1919 - The Zoo consisted of a cage of rabbits, some fireman's pets, and a few native species (i.e., fox, squirrel, deer, raccoon, alligators and rabbits). This meager collection was housed in the Central Fire Station in downtown Jackson (now the Jackson Chamber of Commerce Building).

1921 - The City Council voted to situate the Zoo on the land acquired from Samuel Livingston, and became known as the Livingston Park Zoo. Some of the initial exhibits and buildings that were built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) are still standing (i.e. the castle and the Elephant House Cafe). Irl Bennett, the Zoo's first director served until 1964.

1930's - The Zoo survived the depression. However, only a few small exhibits were constructed. (The Zoo's Education Center was built during this time.)

1948 - The animal collection was expanded due to the efforts of Dr. Jacob L. Reddix, President of Jackson State College. Animals were purchased from the Liberian government. Many of these animals died during shipment, but the Zoo did acquire three chimpanzees, three gray Magabey monkeys, a white-tailed Colobus, a lemur and two pythons.

1950's & 60's - Zoo flourished with funds from the parks and recreation departments. The Zoo was renamed The R.M. Taylor Zoo, after the city commissioner who spearheaded some development. A giraffe exhibit was added, as well as the large mammal moats (aka: Asian Grottos).

1964 - Robert Wagner became the Zoo Director. The Zoo's name was changed to The Jackson Zoological Society. The zoo moved toward the current zoo trend, changing from a varied menagerie to an organized, scientific collection.

1970's - The Zoo added the children's petting zoo. Also, the animal hospital was built during this time. In 1975, James L. Swigert became the Zoo Director. With the help of the Jackson City Council and a design group, this director put together the Zoo's first Master Plan. The Friends of the Jackson Zoo were formed in 1975.

1985 - Space from Livingston Park was added to the Zoo, which allowed for the development of the African Rainforest Exhibit.

1986 - The City Council approved a lease to the Jackson Zoological Society, Inc. to manage for a 5-year period. (This lease was renewed for 10 additional years.)

1987 - Barbara Barrett Piazza hired as Zoo Director.

1989 - The Zoo was accredited by the AAZPA (now known as the AZA). The Master Plan was updated. The children's zoo was renovated into what is now known as the Discovery Zoo.

Early 1990's - Original buildings were updated, to include the conversion of the Elephant House into a café. The Zoo's animal population increased through intra-zoo trading and through SSP breeding programs.

1995 - Mississippi state government approved legislation that will provide $4 million for capital improvements in the Zoo. The Jackson Zoo Foundation is formed to assist with capital improvement fundraising. In 1998, the city agreed to a $1.5 million match. This expansion included the African Savannah and the Mississippi Wilderness Exhibit. It was the largest capital improvement project in the Zoo's history.

1996 The Zoo became a member of a community organization called ZAPP (Zoo Area Progressive Partnership) in an endeavor to assist with the regeneration of the neighborhoods surrounding the Zoo.

2004 - The Zoo opened several small projects to include: Discovery Reef and the Aviary. Renovations to the Indochinese Tiger exhibit included a swimming pool.

The Friends of the Zoo install the Endangered Species Carousel.

2005 - The Zoo opened the African Savannah exhibit. Barbara Piazza retired as Zoo Director and Beth Poff becomes the Zoo's 5th Director.

April 8, 2006 - Wilderness Mississippi area opened to the public.

In 2006 Orangutan exhibit renovations completed and the Zoo is named a "Southern Travel Treasure" by AAA Magazine.

In January 2007 the merger of the former Jackson Zoological Park, Inc. (JZP) and the Friends of the Jackson Zoo (FOTJZ) was completed.  The newly formed Jackson Zoo Society (JZS) continues to serve as the operational non-profit for the zoo and to enhance the awareness through special events, fund-raisers and membership programs.

In 2007 The Jackson Zoo was named "Travel Attraction of the Year" at the Governor's Conference on Tourism presented by the Mississippi Tourism Association and received the Attraction of the Year Award at the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau Summit Awards.  State of Mississippi provides $2 million for needed improvements; Asia renovation drawings started for exhibit improvements including new tiger and leopard exhibits, and a water garden.  Received accreditation from AZA.

A groundbreaking held on September the 27th, 2007 for the new Gertrude C. Ford Education Center in the Wilderness Mississippi area of the zoo.  In October renovations were completed in the Zoo's Animal Hospital with State funding and donations from Baptist Medical Center.

Click here to view the 2007 Annual Report.

Attendance

• 2001 - 189,779
• 2002 - 179,655
• 2003 - 268,752
• 2004 - 148,364
• 2005 - 151,274
• 2006 - 192,979
• 2007 - 183,680
• 2008 - 175,286