Long gone are the days when two chimpanzees smoked cigarettes in a cramped cage at the entrance to the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk.
Today, the zoo, celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, is centered on animal well-being and enrichment; animals roam in environments similar to their natural habitats.
Once a city park and community gathering spot with animals, the zoo transformed during the years into a regional attraction that draws more than 500,000 visitors annually…