The Lowcountry Zoo

The Lowcountry Zoo has been an important element of the mission for Brookgreen Gardens since its inception. It is the only zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) on the coast of North and South Carolina. The AZA is America's most respected organization for zoos and aquariums and accredits only those institutions that have achieved rigorous standards for animal care, education, wildlife conservation and science. All of the native animals in the Lowcountry Zoo were either bred and raised in captivity at an AZA accredited institution or were obtained from a wildlife rehabilitation center after sustaining a major disability due to injury. In either case, these animals could not survive in the wild.

New Otter Exhibit - River Basin Retreat Now Open !

Thanks to the generosity of The Friends of Brookgreen Gardens, two of the otters in the Lowcountry Zoo have moved into their new home. The Zoo's latest permanent exhibit, River Basin Retreat, approximately 1,200 square feet in size features an 8,000 gallon above-ground pool made from clear acrylic panels. Inside the pool, replicas of river banks provide the otters with places to rest above the water and serve as “diving boards” when they jump into the pool. The best part of the River Basin Retreat is an opportunity to see the otters up close underwater and the chance to take some great photographs of these lively little creatures at play! Here is a video of the otters swimming in their new home.