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Elephants, sharks and a $250M plan: Zoo renovation details take shape

By , Daily Memphian Published: August 20, 2025 7:01 PM CT

The Memphis Zoo is working towards a new elephant exhibit, year-round stingrays and a fin-tastic aquarium, part of a $250 million renovation plan unveiled last year.

Matt Thompson, the zoo’s president and CEO, outlined the exhibit’s details to the Germantown Chamber of Commerce during its monthly membership luncheon on Wednesday, Aug. 20.

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Memphis Zoo Matt Thompson elephants stingrays giant pandas Subscriber Only

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Abigail Warren

Abigail Warren

Abigail Warren is an award-winning reporter and covers Collierville and Germantown for The Daily Memphian. She was raised in the Memphis suburbs, attended Westminster Academy and studied journalism at the University of Memphis. She has been with The Daily Memphian since 2018.


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