The Roanoker January/February 2024 - 15
The Gist
The New & Improved at Mill Mountain Zoo
written by Sarah Riddell A change in leadership has led to numerous expansions and upgrades over the last few years.
M
ill Mountan is home to some of the Star
City's best views, trails and even
the iconic Roanoke star. But the
presence of a zoo at the tip-top
might be the most unexpected of
its treasures.
Having opened in 1952, Mill Mountain
Zoo has remained a well-known staple to
locals and the best of surprises to newcomers.
It was brought under new leadership a
few years ago - a move that's generated many
positive changes for them. In June of 2022, the
zoo added American black bear and red wolf
enclosures, and last year, they custom built a
home for their 12-foot Burmese pythons.
More recently, the zoo gave their reptile house
a makeover, complete with fresh paint, a new
roof and even added an Argentine tegu to the
list of animals that reside there.
Grants and Communications Coordinator
Courtney Taylor says that as the only accredited
zoological institution in the region, a top
priority for the zoo is sharing their conservation
knowledge with communities throughout
Southwest Virginia. One of these strategies is
the Animal Encounters Outreach Program,
where zoo educators take ambassador animals
into schools, libraries and other locations.
" Oftentimes, we're the only access that
TheRoanoker.com
a lot of kids have to conservation and wildlife
education, " she explains. They also offer onsite,
after-hours programming like Sensory
Mornings, which is geared toward individuals
who struggle with sensory processing in loud,
crowded environments.
This doesn't even include the Mill Mountain
team's own conservation efforts. They work
with other zoos, both nationally and internationally,
on numerous Species Survival Plan
and Saving Animals From Extinction programs.
Many of the animals at the zoo, like
their red panda, snow leopard and red wolves,
are part of one or more of these initiatives.
Another important component of their work
focuses on habitat preservation. " The goal is
to get the species to a large enough number to
where they can safely be released back into the
wild and maintain and grow the population, "
says Taylor.
Local organizations have taken note of the
critical work the zoo is doing and are stepping
in to help them further their mission. Carilion
Clinic recently donated a life-sized bald eagle
nest and the Curiosity Corner, a wildly popular
area where kids can burn off some steam while
also learning about the important role insects
play in keeping ecosystems thriving. Clean
Valley Council has also partnered with the
January/february 2024 15
zoo for their Art to Rescue the River project
in which local artists were selected to create
sculptures of animals out of the litter.
New events and programs will be announced
soon, but with the Roanoke community rallying
behind them, the sky truly is the limit
for what Mill Mountain Zoo will be able to
accomplish next. " We're woven into the fabric
of Roanoke and I love that, " says Taylor.
" There's nowhere to go but up. "
To learn more about their programs, conservation
efforts and to make a donation, visit
mmzoo.org. I
COURTESY OF MILL MOUNTAIN ZOO / NICK FULLER, THE FULLER PICTURE PHOTOGRAPHY
http://www.mmzoo.org
http://www.TheRoanoker.com
The Roanoker January/February 2024
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker January/February 2024
The Roanoker January/February 2024 - Cover1
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