Zoo Knoxville welcomed 512,112 visitors in 2018, setting a new attendance record for the fourth consecutive year and marking the first time the number of guests exceeded more than half a million in the zoo’s history. 

The 2018 record exceeded the previous year’s attendance by more than 17,000 people.  

In 2018, Zoo Knoxville opened Gibbon Trails and Langur Landing in Boyd Family Asian Trek, an immersive primate habitat that was voted one of the top 10 animal exhibits in the country by USA TODAY 10Best Reader’s Choice travel awards.

“We continued to ‘wow’ our guests in 2018 with the debut of Gibbon Trails and Langur Landing,” said Zoo Knoxville President and CEO Lisa New.  “It was a great honor for our visitors to vote our latest experience one of the best new animal exhibits in the country. This latest milestone in our attendance is one we are proud of achieving because this translates to approximately $30 million in tourism dollars for our local economy. 

Additionally , every ticket sold supports the work we do here in Knoxville and in collaboration with conservation partners around the world to save animals from extinction.”        

“In addition to being Knoxville’s most visited attraction, we are also an anchor destination for the Magnolia Avenue Corridor,” said Pete Claussen, Chair of Zoo Knoxville’s Board of Directors. “Zoo Knoxville continues to execute our strategic goal to be a regional tourist destination and our commitment to being a vital part of the East Knoxville community.”

The attendance for 2018 exceeded the zoo’s previous record, set the prior year in 2017, when 495,055 guests visited the zoo.  October was the highest attended month with 77,035 visitors.