Science

What started over a century ago with an orphaned bear tied to a tree in Overton Park has grown into one of the nation's top zoos. The Memphis Zoo, which attracts more than one million visitors each year, is nationally recognized not only as a tourist attraction but also for its giant panda research, captive breeding programs, and efforts to reintroduce endangered species into the wild. Established in 1906 by the Memphis Park Commission, the zoo has become a Memphis institution. It seems like everyone in Memphis has an Elvis story, but just as many Memphians have memories of the zoo and attractions like the Lion House, Monkey Island, or the free one-ring circus. The zoo has been fortunate to have many devoted staff members and volunteers over the years, and through hard work and dedication, they have built a first–class institution—not only for the animals but for the families, children, and all patrons who visit the zoo every day.

The Knoxville Zoo began as the Birthday Park Zoo in 1948. Due to a lack of expertise and funding, the Humane Society started proceedings to close the zoo in 1971 after the animals' welfare came under scrutiny. The zoo was saved by Guy Smith, a local television executive, who took on the job as the zoo's first director at a salary of $1 per year. Smith managed to convince the City of Knoxville and the local community to invest in this wonderful sanctuary. As the zoo's conditions improved and awareness was raised, a focus was placed on breeding threatened or endangered animals. These efforts were rewarded in 1978 with the birth of the first two African elephants to be born in the western hemisphere. This book celebrates the zoo's fascinating history with approximately 200 black-and-white images and detailed captions of its birth, rebirth, and journey toward becoming one of the nation's premier zoological institutions. This is a keepsake that zoo visitors and wildlife enthusiasts alike will enjoy.