Hattiesburg Zoo

The Hattiesburg Zoo (sometimes also called the Kamper Park Zoo) is a small 12-acre (4.9 ha) zoo located within Kamper Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States. The zoo is operated by the Hattiesburg Convention Commission. As of 2019, the Commission's executive director was Rick Taylor.[4][5]

Entrance area at Zoo
Hattiesburg Zoo
31.323736°N 89.315275°W / 31.323736; -89.315275
Date opened1950[1]
LocationHattiesburg, Mississippi, United States
Land area12 acres (4.9 ha)
No. of species55+[2]
Annual visitors125,792 (2014)[3]
Websitewww.zoohattiesburg.com

History

The 40 acres (16 ha) for Kamper Park was donated to the Daughters of the Confederacy by John Kamper in 1902, and was given in turn to Hattiesburg in 1908 for a public park. The zoo was opened on about 12 acres (4.9 ha) of the 40-acre (16 ha) park in 1950.

Exhibits

The zoo is located within Kamper Park among a grove of oak and pine trees, and is divided into several sections. Animal exhibits include amphibians, birds, invertebrates, mammals, and reptiles.[6]

Africa

The zoo's northmost area, the exhibit starts off with a mixed exhibit for African tortoises and porcupines and exhibits for breeds of cattle and fennec foxes, with a interpretive display with drums between them. The centrepiece is the African Veldt, for Grant's zebras, eland, and ostriches. Two other exhibits include servals and a mixed pen for DeBrazza guenon monkeys and Blue duikers.

Wallaby Walkabout

In 2018, the zoo opened a barrier-free walk through, where visitors can interact with Bennett's wallabies, emus, and kunekune pigs.[7]

Education

Asbury Discovery Center

In 2014, the 2,200 sq ft (200 m2) Asbury Discovery Center opened to serve as a combined laboratory, classroom, and office space.[8] The education center provides learning opportunities for children and adults.

The future

On January 5, 2018, Rick Taylor, the executive director of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission, asked the Hattiesburg City Council for $800,000 for a new exhibit at the zoo.[9]

The zoo has since constructed new exhibits for giraffes and spotted hyenas, and is due to open in 2021.[10] Additional exhibits are for the zoo's alligators and flamingos.[11]

References
  1. "Zoo Membership Application" (PDF). zoohattiesburg.com. Hattiesburg Zoo. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 23, 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
  2. "Visiting the Zoo". zoohattiesburg.com. Hattiesburg Zoo. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
  3. "Zoo Facts". jacksonzoo.org. The Jackson Zoo. Archived from the original on 6 February 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2010.
  4. Morgan, Jeffrey (September 25, 2019). "Hattiesburg Zoo seeks accreditation". wdam.com. Retrieved 2019-11-30.
  5. "Hattiesburg Zoo jaguar makes brief getaway". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-01-11.
  6. "Hattiesburg Zoo – Animals". Retrieved 2019-11-30.
  7. ""G'Day Mate!" Hattiesburg Zoo opens interactive Australia exhibit". wdam.com. February 16, 2018. Retrieved 2019-11-30.
  8. "Hattiesburg Zoo unveils Asbury Discovery Center". Hattiesburg American. Retrieved 2019-11-30.
  9. "Giraffes coming to Hattiesburg Zoo: 'It will be a wow factor'". Hattiesburg American. Retrieved 2018-08-15.
  10. Bonelli, Cam (September 25, 2020). "Hattiesburg Zoo delays giraffe, hyena exhibits opening to spring 2021". Hattiesburg American. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  11. Herrington, Charles (January 23, 2021). "Hattiesburg Zoo to get giraffes, will seek accreditation in 2021". wlox.com. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
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