Mill Mountain Zoo Gets New Director: Seeking Accreditation

The Mill Mountain Zoo in Roanoke, Virginia has hired a new Director, Sean Greene, whose initial priority is to gain accreditation from the American Zoo Association (AZA).

This from the Roanoke Times:

When he comes to the Roanoke Valley, Greene said a top priority will be to get the zoo accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. The AZA gave Mill Mountain a year's extension after former director Beth Poff resigned last year to take a job as director of the Jackson Zoo in Mississippi.

"The Mill Mountain Zoo is only going to be as successful as the community that embraces it," Greene said. "Right now our most critical thing is our AZA accreditation. It's extremely important. That's going to be my top priority."

Sara Brooks, vice president of the Blue Ridge Zoological Society, said, "Sean was really the best for us and our community and our zoo. He's just very outgoing, dynamic. He arrived for his interview incredibly well prepared. He's already taking charge of our AZA accreditation. He was very well thought of by the AZA."

You can read the rest of the story here.


One of my favorite animals at Mill Mountain Zoo is the Red Panda; pictured right.

Habitat: Bamboo forest of Nepal, Burma and South Central China
Diet: Bamboo sprouts, grasses, roots, acorns, occasional small animals
Zoo Diet: Bamboo, gorilla biscuits, apples, and bananas

Red Pandas, also known as Lesser Pandas are not as well known as the larger, black and white, Giant Panda although they share similar habitat and habits. At only 10-15 pounds Red Pandas are agile climbers and spend much of the time in treetops. Red Pandas are part of the Species Survival Plan and are bred in captivity to help ensure the future of the species. Mill Mountain Zoo has had several successful births of panda cubs. Zookeepers hold daily training sessions with our Red Pandas in order to make it less stressful for the animals to be weighed and given medication or placed in travel crates.

Prices and Hours at Mill Mountain

Mill Mountain Zoo is open daily, year round, seven days a week. (Closed Dec. 25th)

Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Grounds close at 5:00 p.m.
Admission: $4.75 for adults, $3.50 for children 11 and under, $4.28 for seniors (all plus tax), children two and under are free.

Memberships are available for $15 Individual, $40 Grandparents, $45 Family. If you would like membership information email info@mmzoo.org. AAA, Group and School Discounts are also available. Visa and MasterCard, Discover accepted.

Zoo Choo: Closed for winter will re-open weekends in March.

Handicap Accessibility: We are handicap accessible with paved pathways for your convenience. Handicap parking and drop-off available near front gate.

Picnic facilities are located within the Zoo for your convenience.


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