Information
Landmark: Bear Hollow ZooCity: Athens City
Country: USA Georgia
Continent: North America
Bear Hollow Zoo, Athens City, USA Georgia, North America
Overview
Tucked away in Athens, Georgia, Bear Hollow Zoo is a cherished wildlife haven where injured or orphaned native animals-like a red-tailed hawk with a damaged wing-receive care, rehabilitation, and a chance to teach visitors about the wild they can no longer roam.It’s a lasting sanctuary for Georgia’s injured, orphaned, or non-releasable native wildlife, where visitors can get up close to an owl’s amber eyes while learning about local biodiversity and the push to protect it.Bear Hollow Zoo opened in the early 1980s, and by 1985 it had its official name-the Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail, marked by a wooden sign at the entrance.Athens-Clarke County built the zoo as a refuge for injured or orphaned wild animals-creatures that couldn’t return to the forest or fields they once called home.It was founded to rehabilitate injured wildlife, teach the public, and spark community awareness about Georgia’s native species and ecosystems-like the call of a red-tailed hawk echoing over a pine forest.Bear Hollow isn’t a place for exotic creatures from faraway lands; it’s built to showcase the native wildlife you might spot in the woods just beyond town.Every animal at Bear Hollow calls it home for good-they can’t make it in the wild-so they greet visitors as living ambassadors for protecting wildlife.Bear Hollow Zoo sits tucked inside Memorial Park, a 72-acre stretch of Athens dotted with shady trails, a glimmering lake, picnic tables, playgrounds, and plenty of spots to roam.The zoo sits in a forested landscape, its paved paths winding through tall trees, letting visitors feel surrounded by nature.The design re-creates the animals’ natural surroundings, right down to the shade of the trees, while making sure every guest can reach them with ease.You’ll find it at 293 Gran Ellen Drive in Athens, Georgia, 30606-right past the big oak on the corner.The zoo’s open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and you can walk through the gates without paying a cent-perfect for families, students, tourists, or anyone from the neighborhood looking for an easy afternoon out.The zoo houses a mix of Georgia’s native wildlife-rescued or rehabilitated animals that can’t go back to the wild, like a red-tailed hawk with a wing that never healed.These animals serve as living ambassadors, guiding visitors to grasp the rich variety of local species and why they matter-like the quiet ripple of a frog’s call in a wetland at dusk.Among the resident animals are American black bears-DJ, Athena, and Yonah-three hefty creatures lounging in roomy enclosures that mirror the forest they’d roam in the wild.These bears teach visitors how to stay safe around wildlife and why protecting it matters-like knowing to keep a good distance when one’s rummaging through a berry patch.Mazie, an American alligator, offers a close-up look at the reptiles that call Georgia’s mossy, sunlit wetlands home.Great Horned Owls, nicknamed “Eeyore” and “Winnie the Hoo,” embody the state’s nighttime bird life, swooping into classrooms and events to teach people about different species and the places they call home.Bobcats and red foxes roam these woods, sharp-eyed and swift, playing a vital role in keeping the local ecosystem in balance.River otters are lively, water-loving mammals, often seen slipping through clear streams, and they signal a freshwater ecosystem in good shape.White-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and a mix of reptiles and amphibians round out Georgia’s native wildlife, letting visitors take in the full sweep of its biodiversity-right down to the rustle of leaves as a lizard slips away.At Bear Hollow, trained wildlife experts and dedicated volunteers tend to every animal each day-feeding them, checking their health, and adding touches of enrichment like a fresh log to climb-so they stay healthy in body and mind.Bear Hollow Zoo plays a key role in Athens, teaching visitors about wildlife and drawing neighbors together-kids still press their noses to the glass to watch the otters swim.You can take your own tour, following signs that share vivid facts about each animal-their habits, the places they call home, and the struggles they face to survive.The zoo works hand in hand with local schools, universities-especially the University of Georgia-and wildlife groups to spark awareness and offer hands-on learning, whether that’s examining a turtle shell or planting native flowers.All year long, the park hosts special events-from guided nature walks and lively seasonal festivals like “Bear Holloween,” where kids clutch caramel apples, to art projects celebrating native wildlife and conservation.The zoo’s added bursts of public art-bright murals of rainforest birds and winding rivers-invite visitors in and highlight its commitment to caring for the planet.Bear Hollow Zoo keeps running thanks to public funds, generous donations, and local efforts like the “Adopt-an-Animal” program, where you can sponsor a resident owl or fox.The program welcomes individuals and organizations to sponsor a specific animal, covering the cost of its meals, vet visits, and even the toys it plays with.Each sponsorship level brings perks-like a crisp certificate, regular updates, and vibrant themed artwork-that help keep the public engaged in protecting wildlife.The zoo operates as a sanctuary for animals that can’t return to the wild, showing how humans and nature can live side by side.It’s also a place where visitors learn to respect wildlife and care for the environment-like seeing a rescued hawk up close and understanding why its home matters.At Bear Hollow Zoo, visitors enjoy free admission, making it easy for families, friends, and curious travelers to wander in and watch the goats nibble at fresh hay.The zoo’s easy to get around, with smooth paved paths and ramps that make it welcoming for visitors using wheelchairs or other mobility aids.It’s a family-friendly spot, with picnic tables under shady trees and a playground close by-perfect for spending the whole day.Educational signs share vivid details about each species-their life stories, quirks, and the efforts to keep them safe.Animal enclosures are built to replicate natural habitats, offering plenty of room so the animals can move freely and feel at ease-like a tiger stretching in the shade of a tall tree.Pets aren’t allowed at the zoo, but service animals are welcome, helping everyone feel safe and at ease-even on crowded summer afternoons.Bear Hollow Zoo in Athens, Georgia, is a cherished part of the community, where visitors learn about-and help protect-local wildlife, from the quiet rustle of an owl’s wings to the splash of an otter in its pond.By giving injured and non-releasable animals a safe place to live, it helps people connect with the region’s natural heritage-watching a hawk stretch its wings-and sparks stronger support for conservation.At the zoo, visitors wander past shady pine groves and watch native animals in habitats that feel true to the Georgia landscape, while hands-on programs deepen their connection to the state’s wildlife and natural world in a thoughtful, responsible way.
