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Zoo Atlanta is an Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited wildlife park and major attraction in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The 40 acre (16 hectare) zoo, founded in 1889, is located in Atlanta's Grant Park and attracts around one million visitors a year. The Zoo features almost 1,000 animals representing 250 species from around the world. Among the Zoo's most notable exhibits are the giant pandas: Lun Lun, Yang Yang and their two cubs, female Mei Lan and male Xi Lan. The $4.5 million Ford African Rain Forest habitat is home to 24 western lowland gorillas, one of the two largest collections of the species in North America. The Zoo was also home to the popular Willie B., a gorilla named for former Mayor of Atlanta William B. Hartsfield (as was the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport). Recently, one of Willie. B.'s former mates gave birth to twins, a very rare occurrence among gorillas in general, and extremely rare in captive ones. Zoo Atlanta is a participant in the AZA's Species Survival Program with efforts for the red panda, and the Sumatran tiger — one of the most endangered animals in the world. Other significant animal exhibits include Sumatran orangutans, black rhinos, African elephants and a Komodo dragon. A petting zoo allows visitors to interact with several species of goats, pigs and sheep. |