Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta, operated by the Zoo and Aquarium Society, is one of the main attractions in Atlanta. It was founded in 1889 and covers 16 hectares. The zoo is located in Grant Park and attracts around one million visitors each year. It houses around 1,000 animals from 250 species from all over the world.

Giant Pandas at Zoo Atlanta

One of the notable features of Zoo Atlanta is the presence of a pair of Giant Pandas, Lun Lun and Yang Yang. These pandas were on loan from the Chengdu Zoo in the People's Republic of China until 2009. Lun Lun gave birth to a female panda cub in 2006, which was named Mei Lan (Atlanta Beauty) in a ceremonial event.

Ford African Rain Forest

The Ford African Rain Forest, built for 4.5 million dollars, is another highlight of Zoo Atlanta. It is home to 23 Western Lowland Gorillas, which is the second largest group of these animals shown in North America. The zoo was also home to a famous male gorilla named Willie B., named after a former mayor of Atlanta, William B. Hartsfield.