(upbeat music) - [Jason] On most days, just outside Asheboro, you'll find folks making their way through the gates of the North Carolina Zoo in droves.

Once inside they scatter across the zoo on their own personal safaris.

- Oh, I've been coming here probably 50 years.

- [Jason] For Henry Hogan, it's a photo safari.

- It's relaxing, the stress level goes down when you come in here.

Just me, my camera, and just enjoy, like I say, the animals, the wildlife.

- [Jason] The scene repeats itself down in Columbia, South Carolina, as visitors from all over seek unique wildlife interactions at Riverbank Zoo and Gardens.

- I'm from Michigan, this is amazing.

(bird squaking) I am literally like in love right now.

This is so cool.

Hi!

- [Jason] Combined, both zoos annually welcome nearly two million visitors to explore the beauty, behaviors, and personalities of the hundreds of species that call the zoos home.

- My favorite animal is the giraffe.

- My favorite animal would probably have to be the tiger.

- Truthfully, it's probably the gorillas or the chimps and now the baboons.

(upbeat music) - [Tommy] We love to talk to families that have generations upon generations of coming when they were little.

- [Jason] Folks like Riverbank Zoo regular Kristi Adams.

- My husband and I have been bringing our kids here since they were born.

It's a different experience every time.

Sometimes we're feeding the giraffes, sometimes we're watching a bird show.

It's just a unique place to spend family time.

(percussive music) - [Jason] Around the world, the impact of climate change has many zoos rethinking their missions.

- The change in thinking was zoos should become more of the arcs of the future, arcs of hope, being able to establish assurance colonies that would ensure their survival since a lot of 'em are endangered already.

- [Jason] Conservation programs are on full display at both zoos.

Staff at each actively work to protect endangered species from around the world, as well as right here in the Carolinas.

(wolf howling) The North Carolina Zoo participates in the US Fish and Wildlife's Red Wolf Recovery Program.

- We are one of many collaborating partners that are involved in the Red Wolf Recovery Program.

And the primary goals of that program is to help with the success of the recovery effort of red wolves in North Carolina.

- [Jason] At Riverbank Zoo and Gardens, visitors to the newly remodeled Darnall W and Susan F Boyd Aquarium and Reptile Conservation Center enter a world filled with snakes, turtles, fish, and other scaly creatures.

But they also get introduced to several leading conservation projects.

Meet aquarium curator Kendra Bottini.

- This is the coral lab that's part of the AZA Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project.

These corals were in peril because of the devastation that's occurring on the reef tract.

And so we are holding them to keep them healthy and safe for future restoration, reproduction, and hopefully get some of these guys back on the reef when the reef is healthy.

The reefs protect Florida from hurricanes.

They help to act as nurseries for fishes, not just reef fishes, but also sport fishes, which are important.

(upbeat music) - [Jason] Variety in scale, location, animals, and landscaping means both the North Carolina Zoo and Riverbank Zoo, along with their botanical gardens, offer something different to their visitors, factors that make the zoos major economic engines in their respective communities.

- The impact is over $150 million a year in economic impact.

It drives people that are coming into the state to spend money, to also see these magnificent animals.

- [Jason] And at the NC Zoo, - Our impact is about $180 million a year here in the heart of North Carolina.

By the time we open Asia in 2026, we expect that to grow to $300 million.

- [Jason] Beyond the impressive attendance statistics and economic impact, most agree that it's the intangibles that make up a zoo's legacy.

- As we grow, we continue to balance a great place to bring your family, find some fun entertainment, as well as being able to educate and show the community what we do behind the scenes for the care and wellbeing of our animal population.

- [Zoo Patron] It's such a family tradition.

You bring your kids to the zoo.

It's an outdoor family friendly experience.

- [Jason] An outdoor outing is exactly what Jamel Khabeer had in mind for his family on their trip to the NC Zoo.

- I'm here with my family, it's my wife and my two sons.

We love nature, we love getting out to national parks, national museums, national zoos, and just learning and educating our children as well as ourselves.

- [Jason] So the next time you're looking for a bit of family fun mixed with a bit of learning, a day at the North Carolina Zoo or Riverbank Zoo in Columbia just might fit the bill.

For Carolina Impact, I'm Jason Terzis reporting.