Harry Sullivan

May 16, 2024 | wvlt.tv | Harry Sullivan

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - When University of Tennessee senior Eli Dotson wanted to try out to be Smokey’s handler, he didn’t know that not getting the job would drastically change his next two years on campus in Knoxville. “The opportunity fell through, and they ended up asking me if I wanted to be Davy Crockett,” said Dotson, a food and agricultural business major from Fayetteville.

Feb 8, 2024 | wvlt.tv | Harry Sullivan

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Trimming your nails or getting a pedicure is a pretty simple task for humans. That’s not quite the case for Ursula, Zoo Knoxville’s 22-year-old American black bear. East Mammals Keeper Theo Paper said they noticed Ursula’s nails were getting pretty long when WVLT News last visited the zoo. “Due to her age, her gate is a little bit different, and unlike a dog, her nails are extremely thick,” said Paper.

Dec 6, 2023 | wvlt.tv | Harry Sullivan

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - AT Zoo Knoxville’s African elephant preserve, only Tonka remains. He’s waiting to join Edie at the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee, all part of the plan for these elephants. “We’re aiming for 2024 for sure,” said Zoo Knoxville’s Director of Animal Care, Conservation & Education Phil Colclough. “I realized that’s a big wide window, but most of this move is determined by how Tonka participates.

Oct 18, 2023 | wvlt.tv | Harry Sullivan

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - The 44th annual Greek Fest is back at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Knoxville Oct. 20-22. Experience live music, traditional dance shows, Greek culture and of course, amazing Greek food. This year you can even try a special cocktail featuring Ouzo, a Greek aperitifGreek Fest started in 1977 and attracts over 20,000 visitors each year.

Sep 6, 2023 | wvlt.tv | Harry Sullivan

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Nestled up high inside Zoo Knoxville’s Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Campus, Joe the two-towed sloth usually lays fast asleep. To get a glimpse of the four-year-old zoo favorite when he’s not in a deep slumber, you’ll need to make it inside the ARC at 10:00 a.m. when zoo staff wake him up and give him his breakfast!Brad Parsons works with the Wild Encounters team at Zoo Knoxville, and is one of the keepers in charge of looking after Joe.