[9] In 1981 the park was rebranded as the Mugga Lane Zoo,[10] although the Canberra Wildlife Gardens name continued to be occasionally used until 1986.

[19][20][21][22][23] According to the founder, Terry Thomas, the zoo was never financially successful, in part due to difficulties experienced attaining animal permits from the Department of the Capital Territory.

[24] The Mugga Lane Zoo first began construction in 1979, following a three-year approval process by the Department of the Capital Territory that had first been sought in 1975 by the owner, Terry Thomas.

[25][26] In order to overcome severe water restrictions put in place as a result of the 1979–1983 Eastern Australian drought, a dam was constructed on the property.

[25] The zoo closed permanently around 2002,[2] and, as of 2020, the area is classified as NUZ1 broadacre land,[31]: Block 5, Section 103  meaning it is designated as a buffer between neighbouring towns and is a future urban development zone.