Brights Zoo began as a family-owned effort built around a simple belief: animals deserve exceptional care, and people are more likely to value wildlife when they have the opportunity to experience it up close.

Over the years, that commitment grew into something much larger. Today, Brights Zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals representing more than 120 species on 100+ acres in Northeast Tennessee. What began as a family vision has become a place where guests can learn about wildlife, build personal connections with animals, and gain a greater appreciation for the responsibility we all share in protecting them.

Behind every animal at Brights Zoo is a tremendous commitment of time, expertise, and resources. Our animal care team works every day to provide specialized diets, veterinary care, enrichment, habitat maintenance, and the individual attention each species requires. Caring for such a diverse collection is both a privilege and a significant responsibility.

Conservation has also been an important part of our story. Brights Zoo has worked to strengthen animal populations through responsible breeding, long-term animal management, and the introduction of valuable bloodlines. One example was our participation in bringing flamingos into the United States through the first such import in approximately 85 years, helping introduce new genetics into the managed population.

As the zoo continued to grow, so did our desire to do more.

The Brights Zoo Wildlife Foundation was created as a nonprofit organization to expand that mission beyond what ticket sales alone can support. The Foundation helps provide resources for exceptional animal care, conservation initiatives, educational opportunities, facility improvements, and projects that can make a lasting difference for wildlife.

For many years, the Bright family funded the growth and operation of Brights Zoo without relying on tax funding or outside donations. Establishing the Foundation represents the next chapter in that story—giving individuals, families, businesses, and charitable organizations an opportunity to become part of the work as well.

We believe conservation begins with connection. A child feeding a giraffe, watching a penguin, meeting a sloth, or learning why a species needs protection may carry that experience for the rest of their life.

Our story began with one family and a love of animals.

With the support of people who share that passion, the next chapter can have an even greater impact.