The North Carolina Zoo is excited to announce record attendance for the year 2019. The world’s largest natural habitat zoo saw 917,309 visitors or 85,000 more compared to 2018.
The previous years’ attendance was 831,748 for 2018 and 860,148 for 2017. Attendance was down in 2018 due to factors including record rainfall amounts in North Carolina, and multi-day closings caused by hurricanes Florence and Michael and Winter Storm Diego 2018.
“We are thrilled to welcome so many guests from North Carolina and around the world to our Zoo,” Zoo Director Pat Simmons said. “We have plans to keep improving our programs and guest experience so that even more people can enjoy the Zoo in the future.”
“The North Carolina Zoo continues to increase visitation year after year by providing outstanding events, programs and experiences,” said Susi H. Hamilton, secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “Congratulations to the Zoo staff for continuing to find new and exciting ways to make the Zoo a destination for North Carolina residents and visitors.”
About the North Carolina Zoo
At the North Carolina Zoo, we celebrate nature. As the world’s largest natural habitat Zoo, we inspire a lifelong curiosity about animals for the hundreds of thousands of people who visit our Zoo each year. Our dedicated team of experts provides exceptional, compassionate care for the more than 1,800 animals and 52,000 plants that call our Park home. We also lead efforts locally and globally to protect wildlife and wild places because we believe nature’s diversity is critical for our collective future. The North Carolina Zoo invites all of our guests to witness the majesty of the wild in the heart of North Carolina and welcomes everyone to join in our mission to protect nature’s diversity. Visit NCZoo.org to begin your life-changing journey.