NC Zoo buying old-growth forest

The state-supported zoo is using private donations and a grant from the Natural Heritage Trust Fund to finance the purchase from a family who has owned the land for more than 100 years, said Nell Allen, plant curator at the zoo. She said the purchase is expected to close by the end of December.

The Asheboro zoo is trying to expand its mission beyond animals to preserve native plants and educate people about them, Allen said.