ZooTampa at Lowry Park

ZooTampa at Lowry Park
28°0′48″N 82°28′10″W
Location	1101 W. Sligh Avenue, 33604 Tampa, Florida, United States
Land area	56 acres (23 ha)
No. of animals	1,100+
Memberships	AZA
Website	zootampa.org

ZooTampa at Lowry Park (formerly known as Lowry Park Zoo or Lowry Park Zoological Garden) is a 63-acre (25 ha) nonprofit zoo located in Tampa, Florida. In 2009, Lowry Park Zoo was voted the #1 Family Friendly Zoo in the US by Parents Magazine, and is recognized by the State of Florida as the center for Florida wildlife conservation and biodiversity (HB 457). The zoo is operated by the Lowry Park Zoological Society, an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The zoo also exists as a center for conservation of endangered wildlife both locally and around the globe. ZooTampa at Lowry Park is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) as well as a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG), the Florida Association of Zoos and Aquariums (FAZA) and the Florida Attractions Association (FAA).

ZooTampa traces its origins to a small animal exhibit that was located on the campus of the University of Tampa in downtown beginning in the 1930s. It moved to its current location in the Seminole Heights neighborhood 1957 and become known as the Lowry Park Zoo, with various small rides and other entertainment facilities added in the following years. The animal enclosures were run down and deemed unhealthy by the 1980s. After several years of fundraising, the zoo was completely redesigned and rebuilt in 1987-1988. Since reopening, several new sections and attractions have been added, often with a geographic theme.

In 2018, the zoo was rebranded as "ZooTampa at Lowry Park" as part of another large renovation and expansion project. Nearly 1.2 million people visit the 56-acre (23 ha) zoo a year to see its more than 1,100 animals.

History

Tampa's first zoo was a small collection of exotic animals in Plant Park on the grounds of the University of Tampa across the Hillsborough River from downtown.

In the 1950s, city council member and (later) mayor Nick Nuccio led the push to establish a larger zoo at a more spacious location. and the city chose a plot of land across the street from existing Lowry Park, a public greenspace in the neighborhood of Seminole Heights along the Hillsborough River. The park had been created in 1925 and named after Sumter de Leon Lowry Sr., a Tampa city commissioner and gubernatorial candidate who was a somewhat controversial figure for his vocal support of segregation and his active membership in the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Lowry's son, Sumter de Leon Lowry Jr., later made significant contributions to improve the park, including donating money to construct a bandstand and paying the purchase price for an elephant which he then donated to the zoo.

The old rainbow bridge to Fairyland, Lowry Park Zoo, c. 1980

Lowry Park Zoo opened in 1957. The zoo shared the park with Fairyland, where concrete statues depicting fairy tales and nursery rhymes were along a winding maze of paths beneath the limbs of sprawling oak trees. This whimsical area was accessible via a large rainbow bridge.

As the wildlife collection grew, other attractions and rides were also added. By the early 1980s, the zoo featured a small roller coaster, a skyride, and a kid-sized train, among other kiddie rides. However, the zoo facilities were in need of repair and renovation, with the animals cramped concrete quarters so poor that the Humane Society called it "one of the worst zoos in America".

After several years of fundraising and with the help and support of mayor Bob Martinez and the city of Tampa, the original Lowry Park Zoo closed on September 7, 1987 for a $20 million reconstruction in which nearly all traces of the original zoo (including Fairyland) were removed and replaced with more modern facilities. The first phase of the revamped zoo opened on March 5, 1988. Several additions and expansions since then have brought the zoo to its current configuration.

In March 2018, Joseph Couceiro, the zoo's CEO, introduced a new logo and signage. Formerly Lowry Park Zoo, the name was changed to ZooTampa at Lowry Park to emphasize not only its connections to Tampa and the region, but the progress the area is undergoing as well. Over the next 10 years, Couceiro indicated a desire to continue to expand and redesign several zoo features.

Exhibits

Asia Realm

One of the zoos oldest sections, the Asian Domain, was renovated and renamed the Asian Gardens in 2007. Animals in this area include the Indian rhinoceros, Malayan tiger, babirusa, Komodo dragon, Binturongs, Lowland anoa, Malayan sun bear, Malayan tapir, and an Indonesian-themed aviary. The pagoda-like design is subtle but noticeable, giving an authentic Asian feel.

The area also has a Sulawesi aviary, which includes giant Asian pond turtles,Reeve's muntjac deer, and other Asian species.

Florida Wilds

The Florida realm was completely remodeled in 2022, now named "Florida Wilds". The area is an American-based exhibit that stretches across nearly a half-mile. The realm includes many North American species, including striped skunks, American alligators, North American black bears, a small pack of red wolves, West Indian manatees, stingrays, Florida Panthers, Alligator snapping turtles, and more.

The manatee viewing tunnel, formerly known as "Manatee Mangroves" is currently undergoing renovations and is expected to reopen as "Manatee Rescue" in 2026. Manatees are still visible from the "Manatee Cove" and "Manatee Overlook viewing areas, both of which provide educational opportunities promoting manatee conservation.

In March of 2024, the zoo re-opened its stingray habitat, now called "Stingray Shores". The area received improvements to filtration systems and the habitat itself with a more natural approach to the saltwater pool and viewing area where the stingrays live.

Primate Realm

The primate section of the zoo has every exhibit appearing to be seemingly connected by a running system of rocky waterfalls and waterways that stretch across the entire section. There is an array of great apes, including siamang gibbons, Hamadryas baboons, and Bornean orangutans. There is also a wide array of other primates, including Angolan black-and-white colobus monkeys, golden lion tamarins, ring-tailed lemurs, and mandrills.

Australia Realm

The Wallaroo Station Children's Zoo re-opened on February 27, 2015 after its first renovation since opening in 2002. The area underwent a second renovation, re-opening in March of 2024 as 'Australia" featuring an expanded splash pad, a new family-friendly ride "Aussie Trek", and an expanded wallaby habitat. The zoo also added new family rooms to the area. The Australia realm is home to an array of Australian-native species including koalas, yellow-footed rock wallabies, and a barnyard section featuring goats and llamas.

This section of the zoo also features several other rides, including the "Flying Bananas" ride and a family roller coaster called the Tasmanian Tiger Roller Coaster.

Africa Realm

Shaded by acacia trees, the area is home to "Expedition Wild Africa" a safari truck ride that provides an in-depth look behind the scenes of the zoo. The Patas monkeys are visible only by this ride. This realm is home to many landmark African species, including giant tortoises, nyala, Masai giraffes, African bush elephants, African penguins, and the southern white rhinoceros.

The Ituri Forest, a later addition to the Africa realm, brought in the concept of a washed-out African river bank. The area includes a wide array of species, including pygmy hippopotamuses, red river hogs, and shoebill storks.

In mid-to-late 2014, the warthog exhibit was closed down and renovated to house Aldabra tortoises and juvenile Galapagos giant tortoises, who were previously behind-the-scenes exclusive animals.

Canopy Aviary

The main free-flight aviary, accessible nearly at the entrance, is almost hidden in overgrown brush and plants. Inside, the whole area is covered head-to-toe in free-flight birds and waterfowl, including great hornbills, red-legged seriemas, toco toucans, boat-billed herons, African openbill storks, scarlet ibises, white-faced whistling ducks, guineafowl, Raggiana Birds-of-paradise, an array of ducks and tanagers, and two-toed sloths.

David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center

Conservation

Manatee medical pools

The zoo has over a hundred Species Survival Plan projects, which include threatened and endangered species and species of special concern. These include Bornean orangutans, siamangs, black-and-white colobus monkeys, golden lion tamarins, Indian rhinoceroses, clouded leopards, Panamanian golden frogs, babirusa, red wolves, African elephants, Bali mynah, Victoria crowned pigeon, great Indian hornbills, and Komodo dragon programs.

The zoo hosts a hospital for Florida manatees in which injured animals are rehabilitated with the intent of returning them to the wild. It is the only non-profit hospital in the world specifically dedicated to critical care for injured, sick and orphaned wild manatees. The zoo works in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to rescue, rehabilitate and release Florida’s endangered manatees. In 2012, ZooTampa was honored with a “Significant Achievement in North American Conservation Award” for its work with manatees, presented by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

Rides

ZooTampa has added several children's rides over the years. Rides include a small aerial carousel-type ride known as "Flying Bananas", a jeep ride called "Aussie Trek", a newly expanded splash pad, and a mini roller coaster called the Tasmanian Tiger Family Coaster, which was previously located at Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Georgia. Carousel Circle hosts a carousel hosting a menagerie of animals from the cheetah, elephant, manatee, and more. The Africa section of the Zoo also hosts a safari truck ride called "Expedition Wild Africa" which provides a look behind the scenes and of various African-themed habitats, with Bongos, Patas Monkeys, and more.

Roaring Springs, which opened in June 2018, is a shoot the chute ride manufactured by WhiteWater West. The ride features a single three-story drop that splashes riders and onlookers standing in the attraction's splash zone. Roaring Springs replaced the former log flume known as “Gator Falls”.

Future Transformation and Additions

The zoo has detailed a multi-year vision to continuously and gradually add new realms and wildlife experiences over the next two decades.

Manatee Rescue

The new Manatee Rescue, opening in 2026, will be an innovative multi-dimensional environment that will immerse guests in the manatee’s world, Florida’s fragile marine ecosystem; from rivers, to the intracoastal, to the Gulf. The area will offer educational opportunities and eye-level viewing with manatees. This newly designed area will expand the capacity of the David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center with the addition of acute care and nursery pools for the direst patients, opening December, 2024.

Manatee Rescue will also feature new jellyfish habitats and a riverbank-themes home for North American River Otters.

South America

In collaboration with the City of Tampa, ZooTampa is developing plans to expand to the Hillsborough River, creating a new realm connecting Tampa to its cultural roots. The are will feature multiple South American species including giant river otters, jaguars, and a variety of other rarely seen wildlife.

Africa

ZooTampa also has plans to renovate the Africa realm, expanding existing habitats and adding in new species, such as gorillas and other African primates. The expansions will also include new multi-species habitats and an opportunity for visitors to spend the night at the zoo.

Asia

Additionally, the zoo plans to renovate the Asia realm with expanded habitats and overhead animal pathways featuring Malayan tigers and Bornean Orangutans.

Controversies

Tiger escape

In 2006, one of the zoo's two Sumatran tigers, a 14-year-old female named Enshala, slipped through an unlocked gate and into an area undergoing renovation. The zoo director, Lex Salisbury, defended his decision to shoot and kill the animal after attempts to tranquilize the tiger failed and the animal lurched toward the animal doctor that had shot the tranquilizer dart.

Later in 2006, a group known as "Tampa's Zoo Advocates" formed. The organization seeks to improve the living conditions of the animals as well as working conditions of the employees of Lowry Park Zoo.

Salisbury scandal

In April 2008, 15 patas monkeys escaped from Safari Wild, a for-profit animal attraction under development east of Tampa in rural Polk County. This brought media attention to the venture, which is owned and operated by long-time Lowry Park Zoo director Lex Salisbury.

Subsequent investigations revealed many questionable transactions between Safari Wild and Lowry Park Zoo, including the transfer of over 200 zoo animals to Safari Wild, zoo funds being used to build structures on Safari Wild property, and payments from the zoo to "board" animals at Safari Wild. The city of Tampa, which provides a portion of the zoo's annual budget, demanded an audit detailing the relationship between Lowry Park, Salisbury, and his outside business ventures.

The audit was released in December 2008 and disclosed many questionable dealings between the zoo and Safari Wild. It also uncovered violations of zoo policies by Salisbury, including increasing his own bonus payments, charging the zoo for personal travel, and using zoo employees for his personal work. Auditors estimated that Salisbury owed the zoo more than $200,000 and suggested a criminal investigation. On December 19, 2008, Salisbury, under pressure from the zoo's board of directors and the city of Tampa, resigned from his position at the zoo.

As a result of possible violations of animal transfer rules and species survival plans, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums suspended the membership of Lowry Park Zoo and of Larry Killmar, the zoo's Director of Collections who had authorized many of Salisbury's questionable animal transfers. Under Killmar, the zoo reorganized its internal policies over several months, and on March 27, 2009, the AZA reinstated the membership of both Lowry Park Zoo and its director of collections.

The saga came to a close in August 2009 when Salisbury and the Lowry Park Zoo board agreed to a settlement in which Salisbury paid $2,200 and agreed to return all the structures, fencing, and equipment that the zoo had built at Safari Wild but did not admit to any wrongdoing.

External links

• Official website
• Tampa Zoo Advocates
• Collection of current and historic photos of Lowry Park Zoo