The Virginia Zoo’s Animal Wellness Campus is a comprehensive, state-of- the-art medical and diet facility that serves the more than 500 animals that call the Zoo their home. A one-of- a-kind learning experience for adults and children, the Campus educates visitors about good nutrition, exercise, proper hygiene and animal wellness. The building structure is composed of 100% recycled materials, the outer panels are recycled plastic and wood resin. Skylights throughout the facility reduce electrical needs, allowing natural sunrise and sunset cycles for hospital guests.


Veterinary Hospital

The 8,000 square-foot facility is equipped with animal holding facilities, a surgery suite, lab, intensive care unit and pharmacy. The vet staff, equipped with headset microphones, will have the ability to describe live animal medical and lab procedures.

ZooLive! Stage

This outdoor theater is where Zoo educators teach daily presentations about plants and animals and showcase Zoo animal ambassadors. Memorial Day to Labor Day: Monday – Friday 2 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11 am and 2 pm.

Meet the Animal Ambassadors

Diet Kitchen

This 2,500-square- foot kitchen is where the Zookeepers will prepare special diets and enrichment items for Zoo animals, often incorporating the yield from the gardens and fruit trees into the menu.

Read our Animeals blogs for fun, interesting ways we feed our animals!

Enrichment Playground

Enrichment encourages species-specific behavior and improves animal welfare. This playground consists of five enrichment items, identical to to what zoo animals receive. The “mulch” in the Enrichment Playground is made from recycled tires. Come play like an animal!

LEARN MORE ABOUT ANIMAL ENRICHMENT