Jackson Zoo
Supporting Animal Conservation and Survival
2918 W. Capitol Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39209
- Phone: (601) 352-2581
- Fax: (601) 352-2594
![A sign that reads Jackson Zoological Park](https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Jackson-Zoo-gate.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=180&q=80&w=320&s=d3cb033a4c7b03a1e0335e1f30d1e35d 320w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Jackson-Zoo-gate.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=304&q=80&w=540&s=5114d0fc6155be46b0e227da6f457768 540w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Jackson-Zoo-gate.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=432&q=80&w=768&s=b658fd6593db753d77d4bd2f3ed11e56 768w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Jackson-Zoo-gate.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=1024&s=1bdfe402088617fd361831c52adf5a60 1024w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Jackson-Zoo-gate.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=675&q=80&w=1200&s=8a1658168bf72eb3ec5e0622c859e432 1200w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Jackson-Zoo-gate.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=810&q=80&w=1440&s=f2dd1b5b5db38ac69cc35660037291cd 1440w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Jackson-Zoo-gate.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1080&q=80&w=1920&s=28791fdb40a47f75dbee04a64d5147d2 1920w)
Jackson Zoo
2918 W. Capitol Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39209
- Phone: (601) 352-2581
- Fax: (601) 352-2594
Jackson Zoo2918 W. Capitol Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39209
Whether you're running into Kevin Davis Knox ("Knox") the giraffe, or taking the kids for a splash in the Splash Pad on a hot summer day, the Jackson Zoo has you covered for everything learning and all-ages fun.
First established in 1919 and moved to Livingston Park in 1921, the zoo has been an enriching experience for Jacksonians and visitors alike for over 100 years. The Jackson Zoo supports eleven endangered species and multiple species survival programs, making it one of the significant conservation efforts in the state.
It is the heart of its people, though - the zookeepers, administrators, and staff - that keep the zoo alive and are always looking to make an even more significant impact on their wildlife and human communities.
"We need to make a more concerted effort to be involved with and learn about our environment," Jackson Zoo Media, Events and Development Coordinator Elisabeth J (EJ) Rivers said. "Zoos today, including us, are trying to be more aware. Many of the animals here are endangered, which means we're trying to save them through the species survival programs we're a part of. We want people to understand what's going on with these animals."
Rivers said we are no longer separated from wildlife anymore. Despite our technological advancements, we're still very much a part of the planet, and we need to start acting like it.
"Having a zoo is a great way to teach that, especially to our younger, upcoming generations."
![a giraffe's head](https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Jackson-Zoo-giraffe.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=69fd7c335ac554bf4cf2ef481ca4a6fc 320w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Jackson-Zoo-giraffe.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=0e8798937969944d80acb81449379be2 540w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Jackson-Zoo-giraffe.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=b92b94191d70259675dc926e062d1717 768w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Jackson-Zoo-giraffe.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=6b6929f94d6762762378cf31b5b6a497 1024w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Jackson-Zoo-giraffe.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=d8e0e4f2589affbda486251f24e22570 1200w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Jackson-Zoo-giraffe.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=2de31c8753fec0af675353a52f4afba9 1440w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Jackson-Zoo-giraffe.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=d7665aa12136a0dcfaa8e2adbafb4779 1920w)
The Jackson Zoo is unique as one of the city's most interactive family facilities, with more than 90% of its visitors being multigenerational families with children under 12. Keeping all ages in mind, one of the unique ways it engages with zoo-goers is through its almost monthly enrichment experiences.
One question Rivers has a more challenging time answering is who her favorite Jackson Zoo resident is.
"It's kind of like being a parent; you have favorites for different reasons, right?" Rivers laughed. "I love Knox [the giraffe] because he's very sweet and makes me laugh. And then I love our alligators because they're misunderstood. Like many snakes, reptiles, and spiders, people are scared of them, and they have so much to offer. You know, there's no such thing as an evil animal. There's no such thing."
"I love watching Big Mike the rhino. He's 4,000 pounds of very spoiled toddler. But he's a joy to watch. And when he interacts with you, or when he or one of the other animals recognizes you, it's really powerful."
To be involved with the Jackson Zoo and check out their upcoming events, visit their website and social media pages.
Current hours are 10 am - 4 pm Tuesdays and Thursday - Sunday.
![Flamingos at the The Jackson Zoo](https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Jackson-Zoo-Flamingos.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=44df45080264105515044151d1ff7331 320w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Jackson-Zoo-Flamingos.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=1ea620bd5dc281b48807d9c6b2f9a83d 540w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Jackson-Zoo-Flamingos.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=075ddc824d0d3336b93af15dd4496fcf 768w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Jackson-Zoo-Flamingos.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=d8d3c9a6fc1d21978b1060f6fb33dec8 1024w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Jackson-Zoo-Flamingos.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=b8b551b90c9993d8d3fc9fd47279a2f3 1200w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Jackson-Zoo-Flamingos.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=86f48ba890684329b0cfc5e7d44e976f 1440w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Jackson-Zoo-Flamingos.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=f3b48a0b7e942afa2c98de8aa129bfd8 1920w)
Amenities
Amenities
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Family Friendly
- Good for Groups
- Outdoors
- Age Discounts
Meeting Spaces
Meeting Spaces
Bear Viewing Area
Entire Zoo
Large Classroom
Mississippi Backyard Creatures Building
Mississippi Water Building
Ramada Pavilion
Small Classroom/Lecture
The Community Center
The Gertrude C. Ford Education Center
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