Metro Richmond Zoo — Zoo in Chesterfield County

Metro Richmond Zoo and its collection

Metro Richmond Zoo, opened in 1995, is a zoo in Moseley, United States.

The zoo covers about 70 acres and holds roughly 2,000 animals of over 190 species. It is reached off U.S. Route 360, some 20 miles southwest of Richmond.

History

It opened on 22 April 1995, holding 167 animals of 15 species.

Animals and collection

Nine reticulated giraffe are kept, with a Masai giraffe in a separate yard. The primate collection numbers over 200 individuals of 30 species, among the biggest in the country.

Exhibits

Food can be bought to hand-feed the giraffes. A fifteen-minute safari sky ride and the North American area both opened in 2003.

Things to do

Things to do include Treetop Zoofari, African Penguin Experience, The Orangutan Experience, Animal Encounters and Ice Age Invasion.

Conservation and approach

The zoo plays a large part in addax and eastern bongo breeding, and addax born there have gone to the wild. Threatened residents include Asian black bear, Bengal tiger, Galapagos giant tortoise and black-and-white ruffed lemur.

What the venue says

• Cheetah Eat Café
• Penguin Falls Café
• Visitors are generally permitted to bring their own food and coolers, making it easy to pack a picnic or snacks to enjoy at designated seating areas around the park
• The zoo features multiple eateries conveniently stationed throughout the grounds, including the Cheetah Eat Café near the front entrance, Penguin Falls Café by the penguin exhibit, and lighter refreshment stands like Banana Breeze and Rhino Breeze near specific animal habitats.
• Parking and Day Rentals Parking (all vehicles) – – – – – – – Free
• Only ADA-recognized service dogs are allowed on zoo property.
• Adult Transport Chair requires an able-bodied person to push it