History of Springfield Zoo

On June 16th 1983, Springfield Zoo was officially opened by its founder, Violet Rose.

Inspired by her marine-biologist mother, Violet grew up as an animal enthusiast and conservationist and by the age of 25 she had decided to set up a small zoo to create a better future for local wildlife.

The zoo was initially set up in a local park in the west of Springfield and slowly expanded until it relocated to the south-central area of the city in 1992.

Funding was initially aided by the local council and charitable donations and within a year of opening it was a successful business that was financially stable. Soon after it quickly became one of Springfield’s top attractions for tourists.

Today the zoo welcomes over 500000 visitors a year and provides a home for 1’254 animals and 147 different species (or subspecies of) marsupials, carnivores, primates, ungulates, small mammals, birds of prey, water birds, crocodilians, turtles, lizards, snakes, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.

Springfield Zoo started with 9 members of staff and now employs over 200 people and is a vital part of the local economy.

The zoo is proud to offer education programs and conservation efforts and is working tirelessly to save species regionally and worldwide.