| Zoo Name: | Tregembo Animal Park |
| Location: | 5811 Carolina Beach Rd, Wilmington, North Carolina |
| Date Opened: | 1958 |
| Area: | [1] |
Tregembo Animal Park is a zoo in Wilmington, North Carolina. Founded as the Tote-Em-In Zoo in 1952 by George and June Tregembo,[1] featuring animals and a collection of "oddities",[2] the park was renamed the Tregembo Animal Park in 2004.[3] [4] Following the retirement of the owner, the facility was leased to Jerry Brewer until 2003 when the Tregembo family took over operations.[5] Following this change, the Tregembos wanted to change the focus to education.[6]
In 1998, PETA cited the Tote-Em-In zoo as one of the worst of road side zoos in the country.[6] After the transition in 2004, the Tregembo family sought to enlarge the part and increase the size of enclosures.[6] The animal park, however, still relies on concrete pads and cages to hold many of the animals, a practice criticized by many as inadequate treatment costly to the animals.[7]
While receiving general positive inspections from the USDA, the facility is not accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.[7] In 2015 following a complaint by PETA, the USDA cited the zoo for inadequate veterinary care.[3] [8] The manager claimed the USDA cleared the park after a follow-up inspection.[3]