History of Little Rock Zoo

In 1926, the Little Rock Zoo began with only two animals: an abandoned timber wolf and a circus-trained bear. It has grown over the years to include 725 animals representing over 200 species. The Works Progress Administration constructed the zoo's first structures out of local stone (WPA). These structures were constructed in the 1930s and housed primates, reptiles, birds, and big cats. They are still in use, and the cat house has been converted into an African-themed restaurant. The big cat exhibit, along with those for great apes, crocodiles, alligators, sloth bears, and river otters, was built in the 1980s.

The zoo acquired a children's farm with an interactive contact yard and train station in the 1990s, as well as an African Lion Exhibit and the Civitan Pavilion for special events and the Civitan Amphitheater for educational programming. A new African Veldt Exhibit was included in the new Zoo Master Plan that was approved by the board of directors in 2001. In October 2007, the Little Rock Zoo welcomed the newly restored Over the Jumps carousel, a fully restored antique carousel. Laura P. Nichols Penguin Pointe, an African penguin exhibit, opened on March 5, 2011. On July 7, 2012, the Laura P. Nichols Cheetah Outpost officially opened. On April 2, 2016, the Arkansas Heritage Farm officially opened. Learn about the Museum of Discovery!

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Business Information

Address: 1 Zoo Dr, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States

Hours: 

Monday 9 AM–4 PM

Tuesday 9 AM–4 PM

Wednesday 9 AM–4 PM

Thursday 9 AM–4 PM

Friday 9 AM–4 PM

Saturday 9 AM–4 PM

Sunday 9 AM–4 PM

Phone: +1 501-661-7200

Notable animals: Francois (Sloth bear), Kasih

Exhibits: Waterfowl Pond, Children's Farm, Bears, MORE

Area: 13 ha

Number of animals: 725

Opened: 1926