Memphis Zoo

Memphis Zoo Memphis Zoo is home to 3,500+ animals

Creating Adventures. Saving Wildlife. AZA Accredited
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Memphis Zoo is home to more than 3,500 animals representing more than 500 different species.

Kwizera’s absence will be deeply felt, but her legacy lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. In honor of ...
14/07/2025

Kwizera’s absence will be deeply felt, but her legacy lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. In honor of her memory, Associate Curator Melissa Peterson has written a heartfelt tribute. Visit our blog to read more about Kwizera and her time at Memphis Zoo.

https://www.memphiszoo.org/zoo-news/posts/in-memory-of-kwizera

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of one of our beloved gorillas, Kwizera. On the morning of July 6, 202...
14/07/2025

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of one of our beloved gorillas, Kwizera. On the morning of July 6, 2025, Kwiz was found unresponsive during a routine check. Despite swift action and lifesaving efforts from our dedicated keepers and veterinary team, she could not be revived. Her human caregivers surrounded her as she passed, and her gorilla family was given time to say goodbye.

Kwizera joined the Memphis Zoo family in 2009 from Buffalo, New York, and played a pivotal role in forming our first cohesive gorilla group in more than 15 years. Known for her clever and spirited personality, Kwiz had a knack for expressing herself, whether knocking bedding off her perch to make a point, teaming up with Penny and Kebara to keep Mwelu in check, or grumbling contentedly over her favorite leafy greens.

She would often bounce with excitement and pat her arms in greeting, a joyful display reserved for those she trusted most. Her keepers will miss her deeply, not just the outward personality guests loved, but the quiet, silly moments she shared only with those she let into her world.

The bond between a keeper and a great ape is unlike any other. For our staff, losing Kwizera feels like losing a colleague and dear friend.
Kwizera was 37 years old. While female gorillas in human care can live into their 50s, her passing came unexpectedly after a brief illness. 
A full necropsy has been performed, and we are awaiting results. We kindly ask for your compassion and respect as our team mourns. 

If you’d like to honor Kwizera, you’re welcome to share memories or photos in the comments, make a donation to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in her name (www.gorillafund.org), or leave flowers or a note at her memorial, located by the gorilla statue on the Avenue of Animals near the Zoo entrance.

What animal is this? Wrong answers only. We'll go first: Spotted zoom zoom kitty.
13/07/2025

What animal is this? Wrong answers only. We'll go first: Spotted zoom zoom kitty.

Beat the heat, and beat the line! ☀️ 💦 Enjoy a day of splashing AND adventure at the Zoo! Take advantage of this combo t...
11/07/2025

Beat the heat, and beat the line! ☀️ 💦 Enjoy a day of splashing AND adventure at the Zoo! Take advantage of this combo ticket when you visit us during the week. Choose from two Splash Park sessions. This offer ends August 28th, 2025.
https://www.memphiszoo.org/discover

boop.
07/07/2025

boop.

Happy Fourth of July! Today is the perfect time to celebrate our national symbol and reflect on the care we provide to p...
04/07/2025

Happy Fourth of July! Today is the perfect time to celebrate our national symbol and reflect on the care we provide to protect it. 🦅 💚

Memphis Zoo is home to three rescued bald eagles, named Sue, Nash, and Freedom, who live in our Northwest Passage exhibit through a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Each eagle was injured in the wild and could not return to its natural habitat. Today, they serve as powerful ambassadors for their species.

In addition to our trio on exhibit, we also care for many other bald eagles that are not on exhibit. Since 1984, our team has worked to rehabilitate and release bald eagles across Tennessee. In the last year alone, eight eagles have been released back into the wild through our program.

When an eagle arrives at our animal hospital, it receives thorough physical exams, radiographs, bloodwork, and flight readiness assessments. An eagle must be able to hunt and survive using flight, talons, and acute vision before it can be released. From there, each eagle receives individualized care tailored to its recovery. One example is Big Momma Martha Washington, pictured second, who is healing after being struck by a vehicle.

Some injuries are easy to see, like broken wings. Others are internal, like poisoning. The final two images show radiographs taken at the Zoo that reveal ammunition fragments inside a bald eagle. This happens when eagles scavenge animals that are shot with lead ammunition. It is a serious but treatable threat we see all too often, along with window strikes, ballistic injury, severe weather, and being ejected from the nest.

We are proud to care for these incredible birds and continue our work to protect their future in the wild.

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