7 Animals To See at the Little Rock Zoo
The Little Rock Zoo is one of Arkansas's most beloved destinations. It is an AZA-accredited attraction that is home to more than 500 animals, representing over 200 species from around the globe.
With so much to see, it can be hard to know where to start, so we've rounded up seven animals you absolutely cannot miss on your next visit.
Elephants
No visit to the Little Rock Zoo is complete without spending time with the zoo's beloved African elephants. The zoo exclusively keeps female elephants that are 45 years old and older. The zoo's elephant habitat gives you a front-row view of their intelligent, social behavior, and visitors look forward to meeting Babe (born in 1975) and Zina (born in 1960).
Insider’s Tip: While dining at Cafe Africa, you can get a great view of the elephant yard
Eastern Collared Lizards
The Eastern Collared Lizard has a story that's uniquely Arkansas. Recognizable by its bright blue-green body and striking black-and-white collar markings, this species had been experiencing serious population declines due to habitat loss across the Ozark region. The Little Rock Zoo is a key partner in a statewide conservation effort alongside the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the University of Central Arkansas, and other agencies. Seeing these lizards at the zoo means seeing conservation in action.
African Penguins
Head over to Penguin Pointe to meet one of the zoo's most beloved animal families. The colony of African penguins is full of personality, and each bird has its own unique story and personality. If you really want to get close, the zoo offers a special Penguin Experience on select Saturdays, where a small group of guests can go behind the scenes for a guided tour of Penguin Pointe. You can also book a memorable "Paint with a Penguin" experience, where a penguin will create a one-of-a-kind painting just for you.
Alice the Western Lowland Gorilla
Alice is one of the most closely followed residents at the Little Rock Zoo because of her captivating story. She arrived in 2021 from another accredited zoo and had a history of a leg injury and a recurring skin condition. The zookeepers and veterinary team have worked to improve her health. Luckily, the change to Arkansas's humid climate has actually helped her skin! Alice continues to make steady progress, participating in regular training sessions with her care team and slowly gaining strength. When you visit the gorilla habitat, you're not just watching primates go about their day; you're seeing the results of a deep, ongoing commitment to individualized animal care. The zoo also supports Gorillas on the Line, a conservation program that recycles old cell phones to reduce mining in wild gorilla habitats.
Sloth Bears
Sloth bears are unique animals that often surprise visitors. They are shaggier, more expressive, and more entertaining than most people expect. They are built for digging out insect nests, with long curved claws and a specially adapted lower lip for vacuuming up termites and ants. The Little Rock Zoo offers a behind-the-scenes Sloth Bear Experience on Fridays at 2:30pm, where guests can meet a sloth bear up close, observe a live keeper training demonstration, and learn about what makes these animals so unique.
Lemurs
Native to Madagascar and found nowhere else on Earth in the wild, lemurs are social animals with expressive faces and remarkably varied behaviors. They are among the most endangered groups of mammals on the planet, with habitat destruction and hunting threatening nearly all of the roughly 100 known species. Visitors are invited to come see Ring-Tailed and Blue-Eyed Black lemurs at the Little Rock Zoo, and learn more about the species and the zoo’s conservation efforts for them.
Big Cats
The Little Rock Zoo's big cat collection spans some of the most powerful and iconic predators on Earth. At Cheetah Outpost, you can get face-to-face with the world's fastest land animal. The zoo's Lights for Lions program, which collects used holiday lights for recycling, raises funds directly for lion conservation. So even after your visit, you can stay connected to the cause. Whether you're visiting Cheetah Outpost or watching a jaguar move through its habitat, the big cat section is consistently a favorite spot for visitors to the Little Rock Zoo.
Plan Your Visit
There are over two dozen other types of animals at the Little Rock Zoo, as well as a train, carousel, a cafe, and a gift shop. To learn more about the activities offered at the zoo and read frequently asked questions, check out our Little Rock Zoo guide.
The Little Rock Zoo is located at 1 Zoo Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205, and is open daily from 9am to 4pm.