Animals and the Environment

Imagine a place, in the middle of a bustling city, where you can come face to face with a bison, otter or goat. Maymont is home to many native Virginia animals including mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians and fish. More than 600 animals, representing 140 species, reside within Maymont's grounds—at the Children's Farm, in the Wildlife Exhibits and in the Nature Center.

Maymont exhibits include many healthy, but non-releasable, wild animals. These animals are accepted only from licensed rehabilitators and agencies that expertly nurse orphaned or injured wildlife back to health. While most rehabilitated animals are released into the wild, some animals are deemed unable to survive without assistance and find refuge at Maymont, where they serve important roles as wildlife ambassadors in education programs and exhibits. All of Maymont's animals are well cared for by a team of professional zoologists.

While the majority of Maymont's visitors enjoy leisurely, self-guided experiences, a variety of staff-led educational programs, volunteer positions and "Adopt A Living Thing" donor opportunities are available for passionate animal-lovers.

Children's Farm
The Children's Farm features domestic animals raised on Virginia farms. Here youngsters can touch and feed goats, sheep, chickens, cows and even some rare breeds. The Farm offers all visitors insight into the farm-life experience and food production.

Wildlife Exhibits
Venture down into the valley and discover native Virginia wildlife presented in an extensive, 40-acre wildlife park. Maymont's Wildlife Exhibits are carefully designed habitats that are home to a variety of species now or once native to Virginia—including bison, elk, deer, foxes, bears, bobcats and many types of birds.

Nature Center
Completed in 1999, this state-of-the-art attraction interprets the natural environment of the James River. A 20-foot waterfall cascades into the first of 13 giant, linked aquariums that are home to playful river otters, turtles and fish of all shapes and sizes. Interactive galleries complete this memorable river experience. Also housed in this cutting-edge facility are the Visitor Center, a Maymont history exhibit, the Maymont Shop and the Maymont CafŽ.

Why are there Animals at Maymont?
In March 1926, just six months after Mrs. Dooley's death, Maymont was opened to an expectant public awed by the grandeur of the grounds and residence. Throughout the Great Depression and World War II, the estate provided a continuing source of pleasure and pride for the city.

In the 1940s, a new facet of Maymont's use was proposed by a group of Richmonders, led by William B. Thalhimer, who formed a nonprofit foundation to establish live-animal exhibits on the grounds. The first series of outdoor animal exhibits was installed in 1958. In 1962, under the sponsorship of area garden clubs, a nature center was developed in the 1908 Stone Barn. The Children's Farm was completed in 1982. And in 1999, Maymont unveiled the Robins Nature & Visitor Center.

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