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The 615 Goes Loco For Leopards at New Zoo Exhibit Opening in Nashville
The 615 went leopard loco as the long-awaited Leopard Forest opened at the Nashville Zoo on June 20, 2025. In addition to the lovely Amur leopards the exhibit also features black-and-white colobus monkeys, DeBrazza's monkeys, klipspringers and the return of the Masai giraffes.
The Leopard Forest opened at the Nashville Zoo in June 2025. A multitude of folks - many sporting leopard-themed prints - arrived early in the morning for the big reveal. There was a sizable crowd on hand for opening remarks. We learned that the project was ten years in the making which included planting trees that would later be moved so that the big cats would have mature trees in their zoo habitat garnering a big shout-out to the horticulturists who facilitated that awesome task. There were also plenty of other people to thank such as the architects, designers, doners, staff, supporters and zoologists. The leopard print ribbon cutting ceremony included face painting, leopard stilt walkers and photo opportunities at Festival Field. Plus, the first 2,000 guests were given a Leopard Forest bandana. Keeper talks were taking place and we also spotted the Nashville Predators mascot Gnash in the crowd. However, at the heart of the Leopard Forest is the Amur leopard. It is native to the Russian Far East and northeastern China. Sadly, fewer than 150 Amur leopards remain in the wild today. These elusive cats face threats from habitat loss, poaching and human conflict so preserving the species is crucial.
Rick Schwartz - President and CEO of the Nashville Zoo - welcomes the large crowd; Natasha gets ready to greet thousands of her new fans at Grassmere following a leopard patterned ribbon cutting. Leopard Forest is the biggest financial and land project to date for the Zoo at Grassmere. Yet, even more is coming. During the ceremony Rick Schwartz - President and CEO of the Zoo talked about their campaigns to bring orangutans to the park along with another species of leopard. Schwartz also said that the return of an otter exhibit was in the works. Additionally, the Zoo plans to build a tree kangaroo exhibit in one of the restrooms in addition to the already unique animal display in one of the lady's rooms. Leopard Forest was designed to offer an immersive experience for guests. The habitat features towering trees and an overhead bridge where leopards travel above visitors on their way to their outdoor home, offering an unforgettable view of these rare cats. The leopard-viewing building was created to resemble the nest of an African hamerkop waterbird, blending seamlessly with the natural landscape. Other special details include geometric steel sculptures by artist Matt Hill along with a serpentine donor wall, made of mosaic tiles by artist Rhoda Kahler that honors the generosity of those who made this project possible. The signage focuses on conservation efforts and tourism in Africa, with the theme "Living in Balance" to highlight the importance of protecting the delicate ecosystems of animals. According to staff on hand more than 3,000 people strolled past the new exhibit early on Friday with a steady stream of traffic throughout the day that had to be a bit of a shock to Natasha - the lone leopard who was holding down the fort on the hot opening day. Thus, reinforcing our observation that the 615 goes loco for the leopards. It was also a testimony to how popular the Nashville Zoo has become. So much so that it now boasts over a million enthusiastic visitors per year.
The giraffes are back as Lil' Sebastian recalls his time in the spotlight in 2023. There are plenty of reasons why so many make a trip to Music City's menagerie. First, about two years ago the Zoo opened the Komodo Dragon Habitat which is one of the largest in the United States. The dragons are near the Zoo's state-of-the-art veterinarian clinic where people can watch animal care in action. Other cool critters to see are a tiger, lemurs, meerkats, monkeys, rhinos, zebras and more. The flamingo pond is fun as is the opportunity to engage with farm animals and kangaroos. The Nashville Zoo located at 3777 Nolensville Pike is just six miles south of downtown. It is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, exemplifying the highest standards of husbandry. The Zoo is actively engaged in breeding programs, conservation, education and habitat protection. Thus, a visit to the Nashville Zoo is a win-win as you are supporting wildlife while enjoying an educational and entertaining outing.
The facility's other big cats looked relaxed as they took the day's excitement in stride. Related Links: For more information on the NASHVILLE ZOO and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links - Nashville Zoo at Grassmere | It Was a Great Day to Chill at the Nashville Zoo | Komodo Dragons Have a Big Reveal at the Nashville Zoo
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