| Zoo Name: | Hattiesburg Zoo |
| Date Opened: | 1950 |
| Location: | Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States |
| Area: | 12acres |
| Num Species: | 55+ |
| Annual Visitors: | 125,792 (2014)[1] |
The Hattiesburg Zoo (sometimes also called the Kamper Park Zoo) is a small 12acres zoo located within Kamper Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States. The zoo is operated by the Hattiesburg Convention Commission. As of 2019, the Commission's executive director was Rick Taylor.[2] [3]
The for Kamper Park was donated to the Daughters of the Confederacy by John Kamper in 1902, and was given in turn to Hattiesburg in 1908 for a public park. The zoo was opened on about of the 40acres park in 1950.
The zoo is located within Kamper Park among a grove of oak and pine trees, and is divided into several sections. Animal exhibits include amphibians, birds, invertebrates, mammals, and reptiles.[4]
The zoo's northmost area, the exhibit starts off with a mixed exhibit for African tortoises and porcupines and exhibits for breeds of cattle and fennec foxes, with a interpretive display with drums between them. The centrepiece is the African Veldt, for Grant's zebras, eland, and ostriches. Two other exhibits include servals and a mixed pen for DeBrazza guenon monkeys and Blue duikers.
In 2018, the zoo opened a barrier-free walk through, where visitors can interact with Bennett's wallabies, emus, and kunekune pigs.[5]
In 2014, the 2200ft2 Asbury Discovery Center opened to serve as a combined laboratory, classroom, and office space.[6] The education center provides learning opportunities for children and adults.
On January 5, 2018, Rick Taylor, the executive director of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission, asked the Hattiesburg City Council for $800,000 for a new exhibit at the zoo.[7]
The zoo has since constructed new exhibits for giraffes and spotted hyenas, and is due to open in 2021.[8] Additional exhibits are for the zoo's alligators and flamingos.[9]