North Carolina Zoo Announces Record-Breaking Attendance of 1 Million Visitors

Asheboro, N.C. July 22, 2022 -The North Carolina Zoo is excited to announce it broke its all-time attendance record by welcoming 1 million visitors in the 2021-2022 fiscal year ending June 30.

That breaks the previous record highest fiscal year attendance of 879,990 set in 2018-2019.

"We’re thrilled to welcome so many guests from North Carolina and around the world," Zoo Director Pat Simmons said. Simmons said visitors can look forward to even more reasons to visit, including the first new continent added to the Zoo since the North America continent opened in 1994. Groundbreaking for the Asia continent, which is expected to open in 2026, is planned later this summer.

“We are constantly striving to build upon our success through growing our programs and making our guest experience better than ever,” Simmons said.

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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 1,700 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.

About the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state's natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. NCDNCR's mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state's history, conserving the state's natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development. 

NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette's Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the nation's first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please call (919) 814-6800 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.