As 2023 concludes, we're excited to look back at what your support made possible. This year, we financially committed to donating more than $785,000 to support conservation efforts, furthering our mission to save and protect species. Our commitment to global and local conservation is made possible through research, habitat protection, breeding programs, education initiatives and more.
This year has been full of BIG successes including opening a new habitat, celebrating historic animal births, working to save endangered species and winning a prestigious Association of Zoos & Aquariums award.
Dragons Arrived at the Zoo
In July, we opened the largest Komodo dragon habitat in the Americas! It is located on the path to the Veterinary Center and features indoor and outdoor areas for year-round viewing. We partner with Komodo Survival Program, an organization dedicated to Komodo dragon educational initiatives and hands-on conservation work for this endangered species.
Helping Native Wildlife
Through collaboration, research and headstart programs, we are working to save species in our own backyard.
Eastern Hellbenders
This summer, we teamed up with local conservation partners to release 24 hellbenders from our headstart program into Middle Tennessee streams, helping to bolster populations of this state endangered species.
Monarch Butterflies
We joined the AZA SAFE North American Monarch program to help conserve this species and began tagging monarchs for Monarch Watch's migration study.
Eastern Bluebirds
Our team began to research and monitor local bird populations by banding bluebirds. The results from this ongoing research project will help in providing precise recommendations to better protect this species in our area.
Nashville Crayfish
Our aquatics team continued to participate in conservation work right here in our Middle Tennessee neighborhood by monitoring the federally endangered Nashville crayfish populations.
Naming our Sumatran Tiger Cubs
We're currently running a naming contest to raise funds for tiger conservation! One dollar equals one vote and every dollar raised will go to the Tiger Conservation Campaign, a non-profit working to save native habitats, curb poaching and reduce human/tiger conflicts. We will be matching all donations up to $50,000! See the names and details »
Saving Endangered Species
We actively participate in 50+ Species Survival Plans® and have the honor of working with institutions around the world to help save species vulnerable to extinction.
Sumatran Tigers
In October, we celebrated the birth of three critically endangered Sumatran tiger cubs - a first for the Nashville Zoo. With an estimated 400 to 600 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, each birth is vital for the conservation of this species.
Red Ruffed Lemur
In April, we celebrated the first red ruffed lemur birth at Nashville Zoo since 2017 and now have four lemurs in our conspiracy, including Penelope. This critically endangered species is native to Madagascar.
Clouded Leopards
Since 1991, the Zoo has worked tirelessly to save clouded leopards through breeding and conservation efforts, and this year, we welcomed four new clouded leopard cubs.
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Andean Bear
We welcomed a new male Andean bear, Pinocchio, per recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Andean Bear Species Survival Plan. Pinocchio will eventually be introduced to our female Andean bear, Luka, as a breeding partner.
Best of the Best
The HCA Healthcare Veterinary Center received the prestigious 2023 AZA Facility Award, the highest honor a facility can receive for an AZA-accredited zoo. The Veterinary Center enables expert care for hundreds of species while educating guests on animal care, conservation and research.
Thank you for your support throughout this past year and into the future as we work to help save species and protect the natural world around us.
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