Zoo Atlanta: No overweight animals here

Things to Do

Zoo Atlanta: No overweight animals here

Photos of animals at Zoo Atlanta. Images of Zoo Atlanta animals.

WHO ARE YOU CALLING FAT? -- Zoo nutritionists say zoo animals around the country are getting too fat, but Zoo Atlanta says that's not the case here. This Southern ground hornbill seems to agree.

RUB MY BELLY? -- This meerkat at Zoo Atlanta gets some sun.

Hayley Murphy, Zoo Atlanta's director of veterinary services, smells some fresh basil as animal nutrition technician Kim Pachura prepares meals for the zoo's residents.

MORE, MORE, MORE! -- Kelly the elephant follows handler Nate Elgart, 28, along the wall of her compound for her veggies (carrots, kale, squash and broccoli). After a mouthful, she will turn around and walk to the other side of the compound to get more goodies from handler Reddrick Warren. This routine ensures that Kelly gets a nice workout.

WHAT? ME DIET? -- A juvenile orangutan munches on grass as it forages for food.

LOOK AT WHAT I'VE GOT! -- A Southern ground hornbill prances back and forth, displaying its meal of ground beef and supplements. "That bird really has some attitude," says Hayley Murphy, director of veterinary services. "I have no idea why it takes such pride in its food, showing it off like that to everyone. ... It gets a lot of exercise from that and it's a lot of fun to watch."

Animal nutrition technician Kim Pachura shucks fresh corn as she prepares meals for the animals.

DON'T YOU DARE CALL US PIGS -- Zoo Atlanta warthogs Vern and Shirley chow down. The zoo makes sure its animals don't get overweight by giving them plenty of exercise and using appropriate food.

TIP-TOP SHAPE -- This giraffe has to make a long stretch over a wall to reach the bamboo on the opposite side. Giraffes in captivity can get too thin, so zoo workers feed them fibrous bamboo leaves and squash peels.

MADE IN THE HAY -- An infant Western lowland gorilla takes a break from munching on a fresh pile of hay and turns it into a bed perfect for soaking up some sun. Zoo workers scatter food around the compound to make the apes work for their food.

The zoo's Hayley Murphy walks into a cooler used exclusively to store bundles of fresh bamboo for pandas and elephants. The bamboo is normally used within 2 to 3 days and sprinklers in the cooler water it twice a day to help keep it fresh.

WE CAN'T BELIEVE WE ATE THE WHOLE THING -- After a meal of vegetables, these mole rats curl up to sleep in their burrow.

1/12

WHO ARE YOU CALLING FAT? -- Zoo nutritionists say zoo animals around the country are getting too fat, but Zoo Atlanta says that's not the case here. This Southern ground hornbill seems to agree.

Today's Gallery Headlines

Memorial Day Flag Placement

PHOTOS: Memorial Day Flag Placement at Marietta National Cemetery

Atlanta Braves vs Washington Nationals

PHOTOS: Braves beat Nationals in extra innings

aajc 052326 momocon

PHOTOS: MomoCon 2026 held in Atlanta

How Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash remains an Atlanta staple, 30 years later

PHOTOS: Hot 107.9 Who’s Hot Showcase and Concert

More Galleries

Atlanta, Ga. — Headliners Blink-182 closed out 2025’s Shaky Knees on Sunday, Sept. 21, with a two-hour onslaught of hits for a packed Piedmont Park. (RYAN FLEISHER FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION)

Photos: Blink-182, Devo, Wet Leg perform: 8 highlights from Shaky Knees Day 3

QUEENS TOUR

Photos: Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Stephanie Mills rule the stage in Atlanta

Public Enemy's Flava Flav (left) and Chuck D perform Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at the Shaky Knees Music Festival at Piedmont Park in Atlanta. (Ryan Fleisher for the AJC)

Photos: My Chemical Romance, Public Enemy perform: 10 highlights from Shaky Knees Day 2

Joey Valence & Brae kicked off the early evening with a high energy set on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. (Ryan Fleisher for the AJC)

Photos: Lenny Kravitz, Deftones perform: 7 highlights from Shaky Knees Day 1