Darde Long, Friends Of The Zoo, Celebrate 40 Years Of Shared Service
Chattanooga Zoo president and CEO Dardenelle Long celebrated her 40th anniversary of service at the Zoo as well as the 40th anniversary of the Friends of the Zoo (FOZ), the non-profit organization that manages the facility.
Tennessee State Senator Bo Watson said he met Darde years ago when the zoo was home to one cage holding two Rhesus monkeys. He said Darde made him aware that Chattanooga’s Zoo was not receiving funds from the state like all the other zoos. Together they worked to secure yearly funding. He also credited her leadership in helping the zoo grow. Chattanooga Zoo now houses 500 animals representing more than 150 species.
The Senator said Chattanooga Zoo went from near closure in 1985 to being named best non-profit organization by the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce in 2023.