KNOXVILLE, Tenn.— Need a “zoocation”?  Knoxville Zoo is just the place for a little adventure this summer.  It’s guaranteed that a wild time will be had by all! 

This summer, visit the zoo’s newest exhibit, Wee Play Zoo, an indoor play area designed for toddler through elementary-aged kids that lets them run their own zoo.  Back by popular demand this year is Bloomin’ Butterfly Gardens, a tranquil garden where you’re surrounded by hundreds of beautiful butterflies.  Zoo-goers will also have the chance to meet a penguin, giraffe, elephant, rhino or giant tortoise up close and very personally as part of the Animal Encounters offered during the summer months only.  (Additional fee required, and reservations strongly recommended due to limited space.)

Knoxville Zoo is home to over 800 animals, and visitors can explore the zoo’s premier natural exhibits including The Boyd Family Red Panda Village, Grasslands Africa!, The Stokely African Elephant Preserve, Meerkat Lookout, Penguin Rock, Chimp Ridge, River Otters, Cheetah Savannah, Gorilla Valley and Black Bear Falls. Guests can also enjoy some one-of-a-kind play time in the Clayton Family Kids Cove and take a nocturnal jaunt in The Night Club.

Arguably the zoo’s most popular resident this year is George, the first baby chimpanzee born at Knoxville Zoo in 20 years.  He’s almost a year old, and a precocious toddler who loves to play and explore Chimp Ridge.  George always gets rave reviews and has lots of fans who are watching him grow up.   

“Our attendance is up by more than 7,000 visitors compared to last year, and we’re seeing a lot of visitors who are staying closer to home and taking advantage of all the exciting things we have going on here at Knoxville Zoo,” says zoo director Jim Vlna.  “There really are so many things to see and do here, every day is an exciting day.  In fact, we’re noticing that quite a few families are opting to become zoo members so they can visit all summer and take advantage of the reciprocal admission benefits we have with over 130 other zoos and aquariums nationwide.”

Knoxville Zoo is located off exit 392 from Interstate 40 and is open every day except Christmas Day. The zoo is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is committed to the highest standards in animal care and well-being, ethics, conservation, and education. Currently, the zoo is open everyday from 9:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.  Admission and ticket sales stop one-hour before the zoo closes. Next-day admission is free after 3:00 p.m. For more information, please call 865.637.5331 ext. 300 or visit www.knoxville-zoo.org