MusicCityNashville.net: It's All Happening at the Nashville Zoo

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It's All Happening at the Nashville Zoo

by Rich and Laura Lynch

It has been a while since we had the pleasure of exploring the expanding Nashville Zoo located at 3777 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, Tennessee. April 26, 2021 was a perfect day to visit this popular family attraction. We saw various vocal birds including a flock of flamingos who were parading around the Zoo before going to their pond. Other highlights included an alligator, giraffes, rhinos, zebras and more.

At the award-winning Tiger Crossroads exhibit in Nashville.

Flowers and greenery line the one way paths of the Zoo that lead to different sections where children of all ages can interact with goats and kangaroos. For budding veterinarians there is an expansive Animal Hospital with windows so that visitors can see some of the state of the art care that the critters receive. On Monday a baby kangaroo was having a cast replaced as he had been injured getting out of the pouch.

In addition to animals including a reptile room, visitors for a small fee can ride a carousel, a train or a zip line. Plus, there are educational demonstrations where folks learn more about animals. The Nashville Zoo has a lot to offer paired with a commitment to conservation which includes field work ranging from protecting local waterways to international efforts.

On April 27, 2021, the Nashville Zoo proudly announced that they had been nominated as one of the top zoos in North America by USA Today's annual 10 Best Contest. Additionally, the Zoo's Tiger Crossroads exhibit was nominated as the best exhibit by the same organization. Tiger Crossroads opened in April of 2019 and in 2020 it won Top Honors for Exhibit Design from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums - the highest accomplishment for design given by AZA. While we were there, Francis the tiger was roaming her range after a morning nap.

Expedition Peru: Trek of the Andean Bear came to life on our visit.

This is the third year in a row that the Nashville Zoo has gained national attention for award-winning exhibits with Expedition Peru: Trek of the Andean Bear being nominated in 2019 and 2020. The bears were out and about on Monday. Close by were red pandas and clouded leopards which are among the rarest of the world's cat species and one of the most secretive. We learned that due to limited knowledge of these lovely leopards, they have proved difficult to breed in captivity.

"We have worked hard to build a zoological park that Nashville can be proud of," states Nashville Zoo President and CEO Rick Schwartz. "Now that we've been nominated as the best in North America, we hope our members, fans, and followers will vote and help us become number one." So folks - come on out to enjoy this top-rated zoo in Music City!

Related Links: For more information on the NASHVILLE ZOO and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- Nashville Zoo | A Day at the Nashville Zoo with Even More Big Things On the Way

Jules the clouded leopard was just lounging around on a lovely day.

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