Conservation

Zoo Knoxville’s mission is inspire people to protect the natural world though connections with wildlife.

What Conservation Means to Us

At Zoo Knoxville, we believe that all conservation starts locally. We strive to actively listen, engage, and inspire the communities we proudly serve here in East Knoxville, Tennessee, and across the globe. Through these connections, we foster a shared commitment to preserving, protecting, and restoring the natural world, ultimately striving for positive outcomes that benefit both wildlife and people alike.

Our Mission

Human/Animal Coexistence

SAFE Programs

Committed to Care & Conservation

Zoo Knoxville is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.Through AZA SAFE: Saving Animals from Extinction, the entire AZA-accredited zoo and aquarium community is focusing our conservation science, wildlife expertise, and outreach to millions of annual visitors on saving species in the wild. The AZA Species Survival Plan® (SSP) program is a cooperative animal management, breeding, and conservation effort that works to ensure genetically diverse, self-sustaining populations of more than 500 species of animals.

You can join the local conservation movement by getting a membership to Zoo Knoxville.

Buy a Membership

Who We Are

Zoo Knoxville is part of the largest conservation movement on the planet.

Champions for all wildlife.

We are passionate leaders and advocates for conservation of our flagship species. We are committed to conservation of all species, including less popular and charismatic species.

Experts in care and wellbeing.

We provide exceptional care and compassion to the individual animals in our care. We honor their legacies by sharing their stories with the world. We have high standards for both the animals we care for and a growing impact on conserving wild populations.

Inclusive community partners

We strive to be open and accessible to all. We are committed to understanding the history, needs, and aspirations of our communities, and believe everyone has a role to play in conservation. Our commitment to environmental justice allows everyone to deepen their relationship with wildlife as we strive to be a Zoo for All.

Committed collaborators

We understand that collaboration is critical to maximizing our impact. We work within a large wildlife conservation and zoo/aquarium network that is more successful in partnership than any one institution working alone. We are founding members of AZA SAFE programs, and key partners in multiple breeding and reintroduction efforts.