There’s a lot to know about the North Carolina Zoo.
First, with a little more than 500 acres developed, it’s the world’s largest natural habitat zoo. It’s also one of two state-supported zoos in the nation (the Minnesota Zoo is the other). Roughly 1,800 animals of more than 250 species call the zoo their home. These animals primarily represent North America and Africa. A new exhibit highlighting animals from Asia is under construction and scheduled to open in 2026.
But what you might not know is that the zoo also manages the nearby Ridges Mountain Nature Preserve. In fact, it just added 139 acres (about half the total floor space of the Pentagon) to the preserve, increasing it to 423 acres. The addition permanently protects the entire mountain as one nature preserve managed by the zoo. The additional land brings the total acreage the zoo oversees to 2,805, which includes the 512 developed acres of the zoo’s animal habitats and infrastructure.
“Ridges Mountain is an exceptional natural space inhabited by unique plants and animal life, which deserve appreciation and protection,” said Pat Simmons, director and chief executive officer of the North Carolina Zoo, in a release. “We could not achieve our vision without partnerships, and we are grateful to those helping us further our mission of saving wildlife and wild places.”
Ridges Mountain is part of the ancient Uwharrie Mountains. It was named for Godfrey Ridge, the owner of the trading post that once stood on the land. The mountain was located along what was known as the Great Trading Path, a wide-ranging trading trail that extended from Virginia to Georgia and existed before European settlers arrived in the region. Archaeologists have discovered evidence of a Keyauwee village at the base of the mountain, along with many other sites in the area that represent about 3,000 years of human history.
The mountain rises about 840 feet high and has long been recognized as an important site for the protection of wildlife as well as for its unique geological features, most notably the giant 50-foot-tall granite boulders around the mountain.
In addition, the mountain supports unique plants for the region, including fragrant sumac and southern shagbark hickory. There are also wetlands that provide important breeding habitat for amphibians like salamanders and plenty of space for bobcats, deer, box turtles and birds.
Ridges Mountain Nature Preserve was created in 2000 when the original property was protected in partnership with the Piedmont Land Conservancy. This latest addition was a gift from The Conservation Fund, made possible by the North Carolina Land and Water Fund and private donors.
“I am truly excited to see this property permanently protected,” said Will Summer, director of the North Carolina Land and Water Fund. “The new lands will result in a nearly complete protection of the Ridges Mountain natural area, which was rated exceptional by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program because of the rare collection of plants and natural habitats found there.”
Zoo officials say the new land will help expand opportunities for environmental education and outdoor recreation at the preserve, including hiking trails and guided hikes. The existing two-mile hiking trail follows the mountain’s ridgeline to the summit and then loops back down through massive rock formations.
The Ridges trail is available to the public by reservation. Contact the zoo for information.
