NC Zoo New Asia Exhibit

I wrote this story on assignment for the Triad Business Journal. It was my first publication with them. I was so pleased to write about a beloved tourist attraction in the heart of my home state.

My interviews with CEO Pat Simmons allowed me to experience the zoo from an insider perspective. The story brought me an even greater appreciation for its mission of restoring habitats and caring for creatures around the globe.

The North Carolina Zoo is certified by the American Zoological Association. It is the largest natural habitat zoo in the world, sitting on more than 2,600 acres of land and housing around 1,700 animals. The zoo is the subject of an eight-part docuseries on Disney+ titled “Secrets of the Zoo: North Carolina.” The zoo is working on a $75 million project to expand and create a 10-acre Asia attraction slated to open in 2026.