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The N.C. Zoo received the bid to host the 1981 AAZPA Southern Regional Workshop.
A primetime, one-hour entertainment special on the Zoo was aired on television stations across the state.
The grand opening of Africa was held with five new habitats for elephants, rhinoceros, lions, chimpanzees and baboons. Dedicated by Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., key speakers included Howard N. Lee, Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, Norwood W. "Red" Pope, plus Park, Society, State and local officials.
“Ham,” the chimpanzee who made history in 1961 when he was launched into space aboard a NASA Mercury 2 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, was transferred to the N. C. Zoo from the National Zoo in Washington, D. C., where he had been in retirement since 1963.
The Zoo recorded attendance of 409,034 visitors for calendar year 1980.
Bids of $1,427,733 were accepted for construction of the Forest Aviary in Africa.
Bids of $694,108 were accepted for construction of the African Plains.
The administrative staff and gift shop operations of the Society moved to the new Society Center.
A press day celebrating the groundbreaking for the R. J. Reynolds Forest Aviary included representatives from R. J. Reynolds Industries, Inc., the Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, plus Park and Society officials. R. J. Reynolds Industries had contributed $600,000 toward forest aviary construction in June 1976.
Approval was received from the State to purchase three trackless train units for use on the tram route. Total cost of the units was $249,600.
The National Park Service approved funding in the amount of $250,000 for construction of the African Plains.
"Ramar," the N. C. Zoo's lowland gorilla, was flown from the Philadelphia Zoo to Metrozoo in Miami, Florida, under terms of a new breeding loan agreement.
Bids of $3,972,114 were accepted for construction of the African Pavilion, a controlled environment structure.
The Zoo recorded attendance of 377,822 visitors for calendar year 1981.
The first “Outdoors North Carolina Expo” was held in the Civic Center in Raleigh. The Zoo participated with State and Federal agencies, commercial exhibitors and nonprofit support groups in the venture. The Zoo's exhibit was a miniature aviary habitat.
G. Douglas Aitken, Jr. resigned as president of the Zoo Society.
The Zoo and Pizza Hut Restaurants of North Carolina joined forces to launch the first tie-in promotion between a state government agency and a corporate citizen.
The promotion provided statewide visibility for the Zoo, a scholarship to a K-8 student, an award to his school, a contribution to the Zoo Society and new customers for Pizza Hut.
Tram operation began in Africa. Riders paid $1 per day.
An appropriation of $400,000 in expansion operating funds for the Zoo was passed by the N. C. General Assembly.
Eric Williams was hired as president of the Zoo Society. (The title of the Society’s chief executive was changed to Executive Director in July 1983.)
Dedication of the R. J. Reynolds Forest Aviary and a ribbon-cutting ceremony were presided over by Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. Key speakers included Joseph W. Grimsley, Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, J. Tylee Wilson, President of R. J. Reynolds Industries, Inc., plus Park, Society, State and local officials.
The R. J. Reynolds Forest Aviary opened to the public. Zoo admission fees increased.
The first North Carolina Zoo Society photographic safari went to Kenya, Africa.
The Zoo Society received its largest gift from an individual, a bequest of $264,000 from Miss Georgina P. Yeatman.
The Zoo recorded attendance of 417,214 for calendar year 1982.
Ham, the astronaut chimp, died at age 25 after spending his last 2½ years at N.C. Zoo. The cause of death was determined to be chronic heart and liver disease.
A Statement of Understanding was signed with National Institutes of Health to place a female gorilla, Hope, on permanent loan to the zoo. Hope was delivered with Ramar in spring 1984 when the African Pavilion gorilla habitat was completed.
The Zoo’s feature exhibit, “A Tropical Forest Aviary,” on “Best of Show” honors in the Southern Living Show at the Charlotte Merchandise Mart.
Senator Russell G. Walker Jr. (D-Randolph)accepted a painting of one of the Zoo’s southern white rhinoceros by Design staff artist Michael Harney. The painting was commissioned by the Randolph Arts Guild in appreciation for Senator Walker’s long- time support of the zoo.
Pizza Hut sponsored a second Educational Scholarship contest. A total of $14,000 in scholarship and award monies were distributed to students, scholars and the Zoo Society.
The Zoo Society sponsored its first Society "Zoo-to-Do", a benefit dinner reception in the Zoo Plaza and tours of Zoo grounds after visiting hours.
Craig Carpenter, Curator of Horticulture, was elected president of the Association of Zoo Horticulture.
ZooFest, the Zoo's first month-long, on-site promotion, was celebrated with weekend entertainment in the amphitheater and Park. The sponsor was the Randolph County Arts Guild.
The Zoo became a total natural-habitat facility. The Interim Zoo closed to the public and all visiting was redirected to permanent facilities. The Interim facilities began conversion to medical treatment center, a planning center and a holding area for animals being acquired for the African Pavilion and African Plains. Education offices remained in place.
The first meeting of the North American Planning Committee of the North Carolina Zoo Council was held to develop the design concept program for the Zoo's second natural habitat region. The committee included Council and Zoo staff members.
The Zoo's first chimpanzee, a male, was born, followed by a female on December 24, 1983.
The Zoo recorded attendance of 410,498 for calendar year 1983.
A Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant of $200,000 was received for extension of the tramway route, picnic area and African Plains.
The Capital Building Authority accepted bids of $87,133 for extending the tramway route to the R. J. Reynolds Forest Aviary, African Pavilion and African Plains.
Introduction began for the first animals on the African Plains.
The Zoo's male lowland gorilla, Ramar, returned to the Zoo after seven years on temporary breeding loan. He was accompanied by a female gorilla, Hope, who was on permanent loan from the National Institutes of Health.
The American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums Accreditation Committee visited the Zoo to inspect facilities and operations.
Members of the N. C. General Assembly toured the Zoo.
Bill Parker, Zookeeper III, became the first Zoo employee to receive the Department of Natural Resources and Community Development's Outstanding Service Award.
The Zoo became a member of the Association of Zoological Horticulture.
The Zoo was accredited by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums.
N.C. Zoo Council nominees Norwood W. "Red" Pope and R. J. Reynolds Industries were among the four recipients of the first NRCD Board Awards. The awards program was established "to recognize outstanding examples of (voluntary) leadership and commitment. . .for their exemplary contribution to the quality of life or enhancement of natural resources in North Carolina."
James A. Summers, Secretary of the N. C. Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, officiated at the dedication of the African Pavilion and African Plains, marking the completion of Africa.
A request for $18 million to develop North America was submitted by Zoo officials to the Advisory Budget Commission.
Craig Carpenter, Curator of Horticulture, received the Governor's Award for Excellence in Management and Supervision from Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. during ceremonies held in Raleigh.
Eric Williams announced his resignation as Executive Director of the N.C. Zoo Society effective December 31, 1984.
The Zoo recorded its 500,000th visitor for calendar year 1984.
The Zoo recorded attendance of 507,992 visitors for calendar year 1984 with records set for revenue every month and records set for attendance for nine months.
The Capital Building Authority selected MGA, Inc. as architect of record to develop a the master plan for the North America exhibits.
Governor James G. Martin announced a supplementary budget request which included $3.5 million in capital improvement funds for development and construction of North America.
Senator Russell G. Walker, Jr. (D-Randolph) donated a painting of one of the Zoo's Southern white rhinoceros to the N. C. Museum of Natural History, where it was placed on public display. The Randolph Arts Guild commissioned Zoo Design Staff artist Michael Harney to paint the portrait in appreciation of Senator Walker's long support of the Zoo.
Prince Hashim, 3, and Princess Iman, 2, children of King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan, visited the Zoo.
A Letter of Agreement was signed with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro to establish a joint program in scientific research and education.
Governor James G. Martin announced the Zoo would be participating in “Chimpanzoo,” Dr. Jane Goodall's study comparing chimpanzee behavior in the wild to behavior in captive environments across the United States. He also named her to the Zoo's Board of Scientific Advisors which was established in the Letter of Understanding between the Zoo and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
The N. C. Department of Natural Resources and Community Development Outstanding Service Awards were announced in Raleigh. Zookeeper Celia Lewis and the Zoo's Design Staff were among the honorees.
The Zoo received shipment of some 3,000 ornamental grasses of 70 species, representing the fourth major collection of plants at the Zoo.
The N. C. General Assembly appropriated $6 million for the construction of North America with the stipulation that an additional $1.5 million be provided by the N.C. Zoo Society. The Society subsequently accepted the challenge.
Russell H. Williams began work as Executive Director of the N. C. Zoo Society.
The N. C. Zoo Park Council approved the master plan for North America.
The Zoo's first natural habitat, The Forest Edge, closed for five months to allow for major renovation.
S. Thomas Rhodes, Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, approved the master plan for North America.
The first giraffe to be born at the Zoo was born prematurely. She died two days later.
The Zoo recorded attendance of 551,962 for calendar year 1985.
Black and Veatch of Asheboro was awarded contracts as Program Management coordinator for planning and construction of North America.
Black and Veatch was awarded the contract for a North America topographical survey.
A male gorilla, Carlos, arrived at the Zoo on breeding loan from the Memphis Zoo and Aquarium.
At the NRCD Employees Awards picnic, Darlene Loflin, Benita Macon and Penny Wilson, Zoo interiorscape horticulturists, received NRCD Heroism Awards for extinguishing a grass fire near the African Pavilion.
Record-breaking monthly attendance of 104,990 was recorded.
Contracts were awarded to the following firms for design and construction of North America:
The Zoo received a $75,000 General Operating Support Grant from the Institute of Museum Services in Washington, D. C. to be used to further education programs in the R. J. Reynolds Forest Aviary.
The N.C. Zoo Council and its Building Committee reviewed a schematic design of North America Phase I.
The Zoo's Curators of Birds and Horticulture joined a Society trip as tour guides through the Amazon jungles of Peru. The Curator of Birds extended the trip with the group, also touring ancient Inca ruins.
The Zoo Director toured non-public animal reserves in Tanzania, Africa.
The N.C. Zoo Society held a fund-raising kickoff for "Project: North America." Guests included sports personality Frank Gifford, who was campaign spokesman; S. Thomas Rhodes, Secretary of NRCD, and F. Ross Johnson, project chairman and CEO, RJR Nabisco. Contributions in excess of $2.6 million toward $6 million goal were announced, including the Society's largest gift to date-- $1,675,000 from RJR Nabisco for the Rocky Coast area. Contributions from Park and Society employees totaled $52,000, while Society Board pledges exceeded $600,000.
Joseph Wetzel and Associates of Boston, MA., was named to design interpretive education elements and graphics in North America.
The Zoo Society recruited its l0,000th member.
A female reticulated giraffe was born, the first successful giraffe birth at the Zoo.
Dr. Michael Loomis, Zoo veterinarian, qualified as a Diplomate in the American College of Zoo Medicine, one of twenty in the United States and Canada.
The N. C. Zoo Council presented its second annual Council Awards for outstanding support of Zoo development to:
"Welcome to the Zoo", a promotional videotape shown in state welcome centers, was unveiled. Produced by Burroughs Wellcome Co. of Research Triangle Park, the presentation was made at Burroughs Wellcome with S. Thomas Rhodes, Secretary, NRCD, and Howard H. Haworth, Secretary, Department of Commerce, accepting the gift.
The Zoo recorded attendance of 541,171 visitors for calendar year 1986.
A female giraffe died after slipping in her stall and splaying her rear legs.
A pair of gemsbok, a species of African oryx, was purchased for exhibit in the African Plains habitat. The animals were purchased with funds raised in memory of Gretchen Freitag, an animal lover and teacher at Dilworth Elementary School in Charlotte, who died of cancer in 1986.
The protective wire mesh over the Chimpanzee Habitat overlook collapsed under the weight of ice and snow from a winter storm. The habitat was closed to visitors while plans were made to completely renovate the overlook.
A watercolor painting by Don Balke, wildlife artist from McDowell County, was selected from entries across the state as the illustration for a new official Zoo poster.
Removal of barns and paddocks at the Interim Zoo began, marking the first construction activity on the North America region.
The Zoo's first "Press Day" was held in conjunction with the annual celebration of "Zoo & Aquarium Month." Eighteen representatives from newspapers, television and radio stations were on hand for a luncheon and special tours.
Members of the North Carolina General Assembly, their families and staffs were taken on guided tours of the Zoo. About 425 persons, including the Lieutenant Governor, attended the event, which included a dinner.
The Zoo set record attendance and revenue figures for the month of June with 63,455 visitors and $311,214.62 in receipts.
A mobile post office was set up at the Zoo offering a new series of U.S. postage stamps featuring American wildlife. A special N.C. Zoo cancellation stamp was used on letters mailed from the park.
Thirty-four members of the N. C. Zoo Society left for a two-week, Society-sponsored tour of Kenya, Africa, led by General Curator Les Schobert.
An African pied barbet was hatched in the R.J. Reynolds Forest Aviary--the first reported hatching of this species in a U.S. zoo.
The N.C. General Assembly approved $6 million for fiscal year 1987-1988 to continue development of the North America region.
Construction contracts were awarded for the Frederick Moir Hanes, M. D. Veterinary Medical Center, the first building to be constructed as part of the North America expansion. The general contractor for the $1.6 million, 12,000-square-foot facility was J. H. Allen Construction Inc. of Asheboro. Construction began later in the month.
The renovated Chimpanzee Habitat overlook reopened to the public for the Labor Day weekend.
Hardee's Food Systems Inc. announced a $300,000 contribution to the Society to fund construction of a children's zoo in the North America region.
The N.C. Zoo Society held a victory celebration for the Randolph County Area Campaign of Project: North America. The campaign, chaired by James M. Culberson, raised $1,545,000 to exceed the goal of $600,000 by 150 percent.
Interpretive graphics on tropical forests were installed in the lobby of the R. J. Reynolds Forest Aviary. The graphics, designed by Wetzel Associates of Boston, were funded with a $75,000 grant from the Federal Institute of Museum Services.
The N.C. Zoo reached agreements with zoos in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Kansas City, Missouri to obtain three more Lowland gorillas on breeding loan. The agreements were made under the auspices of the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums' (AAZPA) Species Survival Program during the AAZPA annual convention in Portland, Oregon. Soon after, the Society board of directors agreed to underwrite a $320,000 expansion of the Zoo's gorilla exhibit and holding area.
The Zoo set record attendance and revenue figures for the month of October with 56,844 visitors and $217,165 in receipts. The attendance figure topped the previous best October, set in 1984, by more than 9,000 visitors. Receipts topped October 1984 by nearly $47,000.
The R. J. Reynolds Forest Aviary celebrated its fifth anniversary with special tours for the public and talks by the Curator of Birds, the Curator of Education and the Acting Curator of Horticulture.
The Zoo hosted the Eighth Annual Elephant Management Workshop in Greensboro. Attending were 150 elephant handlers, keepers, trainers, veterinarians and others from zoos and circuses all over the U. S., Canada and Great Britain. Highlight of the conference was a speech by ABC-TV Wildlife and Environmental Correspondent Roger Caras.
The Zoo received one male and one female Southern white rhinoceros from a private facility in New Hampshire. The animals were moved to North Carolina as part of the AAZPA's Species Survival Program for Southern white rhinos.
The State Building Commission confirmed the selection of O'Brien/Atkins of Chapel Hill as designer of the Rocky Coast, Streamside, Great Plains, and Black Bear/Wolf habitat clusters as well as the contact area zoo for the North America region. FWA Group of Charlotte was approved as designer for the Desert Pavilion habitat cluster.
Loeffler Ketchum Mountjoy of Charlotte was named the Zoo's advertising agency of record. The firm was to produce public service advertising campaigns and other marketing programs.
The Zoo broke attendance and revenue records for a single month with 125,296 visitors and $462,258 in receipts.
The 1,850-square-foot gorilla holding facility was completed by Hodgin Construction Company at a cost of $208,000.
The "Over 140 Flights Daily" R. J. Reynolds Forest Aviary poster designed by advertising firm Loeffler Ketchum Mountjoy of Charlotte won a national Gold Addy Award.
North America construction contracts for the Education/Administration Building were awarded: General Contractor - Brooks Lumber Co., Inc., Greensboro; Electrical Contractor - Kidd Electric, Inc., Asheboro; Plumbing Contractor - Loflin Plumbing & Heating, Inc., Jamestown and Mechanical Contractor - Comfort Contractors, Inc., Salisbury.
North America construction contracts for the Infrastructure Project were awarded: General Contractor - J. H. Allen, Inc., Asheboro; Utilities Contractor - Williamson Construction & Septic Tank, Inc., Asheboro and Electrical Contractor - Talley Electric, Inc., Greensboro.
The Zoo hosted The Jane Goodall Institute Chimpanzoo Conference in Greensboro. About 50 participants from 12 United States zoos and delegates from other institutions attended the conference. During the conference, Dr. Goodall received an honorary degree (Doctor of Science) from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro for her life's work and specifically for her contributions to research at the Zoo and as an advisor to the N.C. Zoo/UNC-G joint research program.
The Zoo recorded its 6,000,000th visitor.
Governor Jim Martin presented scholarship checks and educational grants to the Hardee's/N.C. Zoo Education Competition statewide winners and principals of their schools. The winners were third-grader Dimitri Ward of Margaret Hearne School in Wilson and fifth-grader Sarah Roundtree of T.S. Cooper School in Sunbury. Called "Stretch Your Imagination," the education competition invited kindergarten through fourth-grade students to create artwork and fifth through eight-grade students to write essays on the importance of tropical rain forests or the importance of animals.
Ron Morris, curator of birds, accepted the "Avy" award at a ceremony at the American Federation of Aviculture National Convention in Tampa, Florida. The award recognized the first U.S. hatching of an African pied barbet, which occurred in the R. J. Reynolds Forest Aviary on July 1, 1987.
The N.C. Zoo Society launched its Adopt-An-Animal program. Donations were used for expanding the animal and plant collections, education projects, conservation/research projects and general operating support.
The Zoo dedicated The Frederick Moir Hanes, M. D. Veterinary Medical Center, named for the late chairman of the Department of Medicine at Duke University Medical School. The $1.95 million center featured a one-story, 12,000-square-foot exotic animal hospital and represented the first facility to be completed as part of the North America expansion project.
A reorganization was instituted to prepare the Zoo for growth in personnel expected with the development of North America, to improve lines of communication between program functions and limit spans of control. Notable changes included establishing an Animal Husbandry Division to provide direct care to the animal collection, designating the Marketing Office, Education Section and Veterinary Medical Services as divisions and consolidating the Planning and Construction and Facilities Divisions.
The Zoo recorded attendance of 589,256 visitors for calendar year 1988.
Harol Hoffman, Ph.D. was appointed coordinator for the research affiliation between the N.C. Zoo and University of North Carolina- Greensboro. Dr. Hoffman was an adjunct professor in the Department of Anthropology at UNC-G.
A preview of the Southern Spring Show at Charlotte Merchandise Mart featuring the N.C. Zoo's garden exhibit was held to benefit the Zoo. A record $33,000 was raised from this event by the Zoo Society. Attendance for the Southern Spring Show '89 was 90,000 visitors.
Governor James G. Martin addressed the North Carolina Zoo Council and toured the Zoo.
The Zoo was selected to host the AAZPA Southern Regional Conference for March 1991.
North America construction contracts for the Cypress Swamp exhibit were awarded: General Contractor - Compton Construction, Asheboro; Plumbing - American Industrial Contractors, Greensboro; Mechanical - American Industrial Contractors, Greensboro; Electrical - Talley Electric, Greensboro.
The Zoo set record school group attendance with 70,767 students visiting the Park in fiscal year 1988-89. A total of 67,192 came from North Carolina and 3,575 from out-of-state.
More than 700 people attended the N.C. Symphony's first "Pops" concert at the Zoo.
A public service announcement for television featuring bikers won Clios for the zoo and its advertising agency, Loeffler Ketchum Mountjoy of Charlotte. The Clio is the advertising industry's most coveted award, given for excellence worldwide.
The N. C. Zoo Park Council presented its 1989 Council Awards to: James D. "Mickey" Little of Raleigh and D. Wescott Moser of Asheboro in the Individual category; Hardee's Food Systems, Inc., Industry/Business category; North Carolina Federation of Women's Clubs, Organization category, and Senator Russell Walker in the Community/Public Service category.
The Forest Glade gorilla habitat opened to the public. This 14,000-square-foot habitat provided a new home for the Zoo's first gorilla family--Carlos, Hope and Kwanza. The Zoo Society provided over $330,000 and the Park provided staffing to complete the project without State funding.
The Zoo hosted the annual American Association of Zoo Veterinarians conference in Greensboro. More than 300 participants attended and were given a tour of the Zoo as part of the conference agenda.
New Zoo winter operating hours of 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily, November – March, were instituted.
The N.C. Division of Travel and Tourism filmed a segment of a new public service television commercial on state tourist attractions at the Zoo. The commercial, which featured the beach music group "The Embers," began airing on stations across the state later in the year.
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N.C. Zoo is a member institution of AZA and an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr. Secretary; Michael F. Easley, Governor. A part of the North Carolina Government portal.
The Zoo is closed Christmas day and during severe weather. Call our information line at: 1-800-488-0444.
