A Rich History Since 1900 (or 1901, depending on who you ask)…

Lafayette Park began its acquisition of animals in 1900, but did not officially become the Lafayette Zoological Park until 1901 when deemed a city park by the City of Norfolk.

Today, the Virginia Zoo spans 53 acres adjacent to Lafayette Park and is bordered by the Lafayette River. Zoo “residents” from around the world include more than 700 animals representing more than 150 different species. In 1985, the park became the Virginia Zoological Park and is now called the Virginia Zoo. The Zoo was first accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums in 1987 and continues to adhere to the high standards set by AZA. Here is a timeline of some of the significant milestones of the Virginia Zoo’s journey to become a world-class zoological institution:

1892
City of Norfolk purchases 65 acres of land that is currently occupied by Lafayette Park and the Virginia Zoo.

1899
City officially designates the city’s park as Lafayette Park.

1900
Park begins acquiring zoological specimens on exhibit.

1901
Animal collection exceeds 200 animals including mammals, birds and reptiles.

1910
Animals, including monkeys, ducks, sea lions and a bear are housed in outdoor exhibits separated by paved roads – which allows visitors to drive through the park.

1948
Mother Goose Barnyard opens with pigs, ducks and turkeys.

1954
New stone dwelling area for sea lions opens.

1969
Construction of Mammal House begins – housing African Elephants, Rhinoceros and Tapir.

1974
Animal area is fenced off from the city park and named Lafayette Zoological Park.

1979
The Friends of the Zoo is established as a non-stock corporation for the purposes of acting as an advisory supportive society in the development of Lafayette Zoological Park.

1985
Lafayette Zoological Park is renamed the Virginia Zoological Park at Norfolk (commonly, Virginia Zoo).

1987
Virginia Zoological Park achieves accreditation by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA).

1989
Friends of the Zoo officially changes their name to Virginia Zoological Society and operates as the non-profit official support organization for the Virginia Zoological Park with the responsibility of generating community and financial support.

1992
Two Siberian tiger cubs are temporarily housed at the Zoo after being recovered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service from an illegal trader.

1995
Community – including Hampton Roads’ Exxon dealers – connects with the tiger cubs and responds by raising enough money for the first major new exhibit since 1969.

1999
Early Africa exhibits, including African Village, open during the 100th anniversary of Virginia Zoo and Lafayette Park.

2002
Africa – Okavango Delta exhibit opens, featuring large habitats with free-roaming animals including zebras, giraffes, lions, elephants, rhinos, meerkats and several smaller mammals, birds and reptiles. Entry Complex also opens, housing ticket plaza, gift shop, membership office, education classroom and staff offices.

2004
Prairie dog habitat opens.

2007
New exhibits open including love birds and red panda. Lion cubs born on exhibit in Africa, marking first large carnivore birth at the Zoo in 35 years.

2008
Zoo Train, The Norfolk Southern Express, opens. AZA accreditation is renewed and lion exhibit was acclaimed as “one of the best in the country.”

2009
Kangaroo exhibit — funded through train ticket sales — opens.

2010
Life size African elephant sculpture is installed in entry plaza as part of City of Norfolk’s Public Arts Program.

2011
Asia – Trail of the Tiger exhibit opens, nearly doubling the number of large animals at the Zoo. Among new residents are Malayan tigers, siamangs, Malayan tapirs, binturongs, and a colorful collection of birds. A raised boardwalk allows unobstructed views of many animals.

2014
The new state-of-the-art Veterinary Hospital and Diet Kitchen open for animal residents.

2015
Australia Walkabout opens.

2016
The Zoo celebrates its 115 year anniversary. The Animal Wellness Campus and Zoo Live! Stage opens. The ZooFarm gets a facelift and reopens with new residents. Two critically endangered male Malayan tiger cubs are born and hand-reared by vet staff.

2017
Two genetically important female White rhinos arrive at the Zoo from Singapore.

2018
The World of Reptiles and Friends opens as the Zoo also unveils the longest snake on the east coast, a 67-foot-long- Rhinoceros viper sculpture named Snavely by the Goode Family. Judy the giraffe sculpture gets a flowery facelift from artist Kimberly Ann Jones and now permanently towers over visitors at the Zoo’s entrance.

2019
Run Wild! Nature Discovery Zone, a one-acre natural playground opens. Features include a bamboo maze, stump jump, willow tunnel, dig boxes, balance beams and a Conservation Cabin. The Zoo begins the Strategic Plan process.

2020
Trey the sloth is the first two-toed sloth born in the Zoo’s history. In March, the Zoo is forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic, remaining closed until July. The Zoo launches an Emergency Operations Fund to help aid the financial impact caused by the closure.

2021
The first Southern white rhino, Mosi, was born at the Virginia Zoo to mom, Zina, and dad, Sibindi. Mosi serves as an important ambassador for his species in the wild and helps educate the public on conservation of Southern white rhinos.

2022
Big cats arrived that the Zoo. This year our African lions, Ansel, Asha, and Kali made their appearance at the Zoo. As well as, our new female Malayan tiger, Cahaya. These animals were all sent the Virginia Zoo from AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) SSP (Species Survival Plan) recommendations for each animal.

2023
Two babies are born on the Africa-Okavango Delta Trail, Henry the Masai giraffe and Letti, the second born Southern white rhino calf at the Zoo. Asia: Trail of the Tiger boardwalk renovation is completed. A new electric train, The Virginia Zoo Express, arrived that the Zoo.

STAY UP TO DATE
Check out our blog for the latest news and happenings.