Jackson Zoo Opens Aug. 21; National Park Service Asks For Andrew Jackson Statue
New information has emerged about plans to reopen the Jackson Zoo after it closed last year. Opening later this month, the zoo will offer weekend visits and limit the number of visitors.
Jackson Zoo May Open in August; City Receives Temporary Exhibitor’s License
The City of Jackson Zoo may open in August after receiving a temporary exhibitor’s licence, Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba informed members of the Jackson City Council Tuesday.
CITY: Zoo Demolitions Underway, New Virden Addition Community Center, Trail Moves Ahead
The Jackson City Council voted last week to approve demolition of outdated zoo buildings that city officials say they hope to transform into a contact area for animals.
Jackson Zoo Receives $50,000 from County; Road and Bridge Repairs in Limbo
The Jackson Zoo will benefit from a $50,000 grant from the Hinds County Board of Supervisors after it reversed its earlier decision to withhold the grant because the zoo is now closed and awaiting its new management to get its license to operate the facility.
City Roundup: Water Bill Solution for Now, Zoo Still Closed, Robberies Down
As the City of Jackson continues to devise ways to fix its water-billing system, customers who currently do not receive bills will pay a monthly "minimum-service charge" of $63.27 for water service, officials said.
Hinds Supervisors Withhold $50,000 from Jackson Zoo Due to Closing
The Hinds County Board of Supervisors voted this week to reject a claim to give a $50,000 grant to the City of Jackson to support the Jackson Zoo.
UPDATE: Jackson's $7 Million Water Bill Fix Passes; Zoo Closure Ends Worker Benefits
At a special meeting late last week, the Jackson City Council blocked a $7-million emergency loan to fix its water-sewer system, which has been plagued with problems since the City signed a $90-million contract with Siemens Inc. for a new meter and billing system.
City's Plan for Zoo: Bring in St. Louis Operator, Keep in West Jackson
The Jackson Zoo likely will get a new operator, and one with no intentions to move the facility from its long-time home in west Jackson to eastern edge of Jackson.
Zoo Finances Under Examination During Management Search
The Jackson City Council voted to hire a team of certified public accountants to perform a "forensic audit" to assess the financial status of the Jackson Zoo.
Jackson Zoo's Future: A Bailout, A Resignation and Closed Doors?
The Jackson Zoo's future is the latest victim of Murphy's Law: Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. And in the last week, it has.
Jackson Zoo: Pulled from Two Directions
Jackson City Council President Charles Tillman of Ward 5 asked the members to use diplomacy during a conversation about the Jackson Zoo at last week's meeting. Not everyone took that to heart as the discussion turned both humorous and tense.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Love, Good Deeds and the Jackson Zoo
One can't really have it both ways—everything can't be about race when you want it to be, but not when it makes you uncomfortable.
Mayor Commits to Zoo, West Jackson Development Projects
Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba publicly agreed and committed to several upcoming and ongoing projects designed to revitalize west Jackson during a luncheon on Wednesday, April 25, at New Horizon Church International.
Mayor Calls Zoo's Move 'Disingenuous,' 'Disrespectful' to West Jackson
In his first public statement since the Jackson Zoo announced its board is now supporting its relocation from west Jackson to LeFleur's Bluff State Park close to Rankin County, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba sternly advocated for the zoo to stay put.
Moving Jackson Zoo to East Jackson Leaves Hope Behind
On March 27, the Jackson Zoological Society board confirmed it will move to the eastern side of the city to LeFleur's Bluff State Park, closer to Rankin County than its long-time home on West Capitol Street.
A Tipping Point for ‘Threatened’ Jackson Zoo
If the Jackson Zoo were a species, it would be considered "threatened" on the extinction scale.
Percy King of the Jackson Zoo Killed in Double Homicide
Jackson Zoo's 'Snake Man,' Percy King was killed in a double homicide Friday, January 19, 2018.
UPDATED: Zoo Faces Uncertain City Funding, Could Relocate
The Jackson Zoo is asking for donations in wake of its financial crisis due to budget cuts made in the past year.
Beth Poff
Beth Poff may be the executive director at the Jackson Zoo, but she says that she is a zookeeper at heart.
Meeko the Moon Bear
The Jackson Zoo announced on Dec. 18, 2017, that a new animal had recently arrived: Meeko the moon bear.
Ronnie the Rhino
On Friday, Aug. 4, the Jackson Zoo announced that its almost-45-year-old rhino, Ronnie, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 2.
Biscuit the Blue Duiker
The Hattiesburg Zoo has an itty bitty baby boy—a one-pound African antelope called a blue duiker (DY-ker).
Taking Responsibility in West Jackson
Civil-rights veteran John Perkins and his wife, Vera Mae, founded Voice of Calvary Ministries in 1975. The mission-driven Christian organization renovates homes and helps low-income families purchase them through financial literacy courses.
UPDATED: City Selects Blogger 'Kingfish' Hendrix, 'Snakeman' Percy King for Jackson Zoo Board
James Hendrix, a local blogger and controversial personality known for his Jackson Jambalaya website, is one of two candidates up today for two spots on the Jackson Zoo's board of directors.
Zoo Backs Out of National Accreditation to Focus on Raising Funds
The Jackson City Zoo has dropped its affiliation with a national accreditation agency in the wake of news last week that its yearly contribution from the City of Jackson is expected to drop by $250,000 for fiscal-year 2017.
Zoo Wants City Help With Killer Dogs
Beth Poff, executive director of the Jackson Zoo, wants the City of Jackson to help beef up security around the park after six animals were killed in late December.
New Baby Orangutan at Jackson Zoo
The Jackson Zoo recently welcomed a new addition to its orangutan exhibit. Sabah and Pumpkin, the zoo's Bornean orangutans gave birth to a baby male on Nov. 22.
JPD, Zoo and Parks Face Tough Budget Climate
Beth Poff, the executive director of the Jackson Zoo, said the park is in a good financial position and debt-free.
Livingston Park Reopens, Zoo Gets a Giraffe
Starting today, families will be able to enjoy west Jackson's Livingston Park in a way the park has not been used in a long time. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place this morning at the park's pavilion.
How to Save a Zoo
De'Keither Stamps picked the zoo over the circus—of the Jackson mayor's race.
West Jackson Rallying Zoo Support
Everyone in town seems to have an opinion on which course of action the Jackson Zoo's leadership, faced with financial obstacles, should take to ensure the longevity of what former Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. called "one of Jackson's jewels."
Zoo Mulls Situation, Accreditation Appeal Pending
Even if the Jackson Zoo retains its accreditation, questions will remain about its long-term viability if it remains in West Jackson.
What $6.5 Million Will Buy
Budget talks heated Sept. 5 as Mayor Chokwe Lumumba began distributing some of the funds from his $503 million budget, starting with re-allocating $6.5 million from the public schools. The funds should help Jackson address nagging problems across the city.
Zoo Gets County Funds
Rumors have swirled for weeks that the Jackson Zoo, the largest zoological park in Mississippi, was eyeing new digs across town at LeFleur's Bluff Golf Course, located in a state park. Pictured: Kimberly Jacobs (of JSU's Gallery 1) holds a snake and greets guests arriving for the Jackson Zoo's event Zoo Brew.
Jackson Zoo Keeping Options Open
Jackson Zoo Director Beth Poff said the organization and its board of directors are keeping all options open as the zoo continues to adapt and change to meet the needs of new exhibits and an expanding number of annual visitors.
