Creation Kingdom Zoo announces closure after 17 years
GATE CITY, Va. (WJHL) — The Creation Kingdom Zoo announced on Friday that it will not reopen following significant damage from Hurricane Helene and a devastating November fire that killed several animals. The zoo had been open for 17 years.
Although the zoo will not reopen, it will continue to work with animals in other ways. The zoo briefly mentioned on social media Friday that it plans to engage in two new initiatives.
First, continue conservation efforts outside Virginia privately for a portion of our animals- for nearly 10 yrs prior to opening to the public, we worked to ensure species survival for generations to come and we will continue those efforts moving forward. Secondly, we are also excited to announce we have partnered with Expedition Untamed in Kingsport, TN to bring an indoor rainforest adventure for families to continue learning about the amazing animals and ecosystems we share the planet with.
Creation Kingdom Zoo social media post
Creation Kingdom thanked every guest, classroom and church for supporting the zoo and its wildlife.
Your kind words, smiles and laughter have been the fuel that enabled us to help keep some critical endangered species around for at least one more generation. Your generous donations will continue to ensure the Creators Hand in this masterpiece we call Earth is known.
Creation Kingdom Zoo social media post
The zoo also thanked local politicians for fighting threatening legislation regarding conservation and animal welfare. Click here to read Creation Kingdom's entire social media post about its closure.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Liberty! continues for the rest of June
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL) – Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals continues on weekends through the rest of June. ABC Tri-Cities Morning Anchor John Jenco took Good Morning Tri-Cities on the road to check out what's happening at Fort Watauga. This weekend, the shows are on Friday and Saturday night. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. For the last two weekends in June, Liberty! will also run shows on Thursday nights, in addition to Friday and Saturday. Next Thursday, June 19, is Military and First Responder Appreciation Night. Just show your military ID or first responder badge, and you and a friend can get in free. For more information, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
‘Emerald Evening' coming to Downtown Elizabethton
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL) – Elizabethton's Parks and Recreation Department is bringing Oz to downtown. An 'Emerald Evening' will be hosted at Kiwanis Park on Friday, June 20 at 7 p.m. The event is free, open to all ages and will include a cookout and food trucks, trivia, face painting and the movie 'Wicked' will be screened. Emma Carney sat down with our News Channel 11 team to discuss the event. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Out-of-this-World: Spruce Pine Alien Festival kicks off Saturday
SPRUCE PINE, N.C. () — An out-of-this-world event will bring alien and UFO enthusiasts to Spruce Pine. Chief Transportation Correspondent MayCay Beeler gives a preview of the Spruce Pine Alien Festival and how it will help people in impacted by Hurricane Helene. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
