History of ZOO ATLANTA

The colorful history of Atlanta's Zoo, from traveling menagerie to world-class zoo, provides insight to the development of this institution from its roots in entertainment to its current efforts in research, conservation and public education.

Atlanta/Fulton County Zoo Inc. (Zoo Atlanta) is the ninth oldest zoo in continuous operation in the U.S. The zoo was formed in 1889, when G.V. Gress donated a small collection of exotic animals to the city. The collection was established in Grant Park, then and now an historic and prominent neighborhood in the city. The original collection consisted of African lions, California pumas, wildcats, assorted monkeys, bactrian and dromedary camels, and a black bear. In 1935, the zoo received its single largest animal donation from Coca-cola heir Asa Candler, Jr. In 1951, the state legislature appropriated funds for capital improvements and the city built a number of progressive animal exhibits.

Subsequently, the zoo suffered a decline and in 1984, a series of highly-publicized animal deaths and management problems prompted the city to restructure the zoo.

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