If you said this place wasn’t fun, you’d be lion

From ostriches to elephants to black bears, the Knoxville Zoo has 230 species of animals. (Photos provided)

This summer, you could say the Knoxville Zoo is really hopping. That’s because the zoo’s traveling attraction is called Bunnyville.

Bunnies of all shapes and sizes, from spotted to tall, from fluffy to small, can be found at Bunnyville. The exhibit includes a 2-pound dwarf Netherlands bunny, all the way up to the Giant Flemish bunny that approaches 20 pounds.

“When you’re talking about a 20-pound bunny, that’s getting close to a medium-sized dog,” said Knoxville Zoo spokesman William Becker. “There are plenty of opportunities for the kids to meet and touch the bunnies throughout the day.”

If bunnies are a bit tame for your taste, the zoo has over 225 species and around 800 animals for your viewing pleasure. Becker says the zoo is in the middle of an $18 million capital improvement project that will solidify its status as one of the world-class zoos in all the Southeast.

“We’re the biggest name behind UT football here,” Becker said. “If you haven’t been to our zoo in a few years, you’ll be surprised at what you’ll see. Anybody who hasn’t been here in awhile probably won’t recognize it.”

Recent improvements include a black bear exhibit added in 2000, and an elephant exhibit added in 2002. The black bear exhibit is three-fourths of an acre and simulates the bears’ mountain habitat with natural-looking trees, tumbling waterfalls and flowing streams. The exhibit also offers guests an inside view of their den.

Also coming as part of the $18 million capital improvement campaign are a three-acre kids cove, which will open in 2004, and a new reptile building, which is still a couple years away.

Another claim to fame is Knoxville Zoo is known as the Red Panda Capital of the World for its great success in the breeding and survival of baby Red Pandas. This year, the zoo celebrated the birth of four pandas bringing the total of babies born in Knoxville to 77 since 1978.

Also of note is the fact the zoo has produced 25 Southern white rhino calves – second in North America. Much of this is due to the fact the zoo is able to house a large social group of rhinos and is capable of housing more than one male. Knoxville’s climate also allows the zoo to keep the herd outdoors for most of the year. These are thought to be the most significant factors for reproductive success in the rhinos.

If elephants are what you’re after, the zoo currently has five. Tonka, the zoo’s bull African Elephant, weighs over 13,000 pounds and is one of only a few bull elephants on display in the nation.

Annual zoo attendance is approximately 400,000 and the zoo is open every day of the year except Christmas.

Admission is $9.95 for adults and $5.95 for children ages 3-12. Admission is free for children under 3 and $8.95 for seniors 62-and-over. Parking is $3.

Knoxville Zoo
Getting there: Take I-40 East to Knoxville. Take exit 392 and follow Knoxville Zoo Drive to the zoo.

Admission: $9.95 for adults and $5.95 for children ages 3-12. Admission is free for children under-3 and $8.95 for seniors 62-and-over. Parking is $3.

Phone number: (865) 637-5331

Fun fact: The more than 800 animals at Knoxville Zoo have an annual food budget that exceeds $180,000. Weekly, the animals consume 9,614 pounds of hay, 327 bananas, 832 pounds of meat, 42 heads of lettuce, 2,517 pounds of grain and lots of greens.