The ultrasonic attenuation in zinc single crystals has been measured between 5 and 105 MHz for all pure modes possible in this metal. By comparing the results with the orientation factors of the Granato‐Lücke theory of dislocation resonance damping, the contribution of dislocations on {112̄2} planes to the attenuation has been quantitatively determined. The participation of nonbasal dislocations has also been proved by measurements of dislocation pinning due to γ irradiation and recovery thereafter. The recovery of the attenuation has been measured between 77° and 350°K. Recovery steps have been found at about 105° and 160°K. Measurements of the recovery after plastic deformation in the temperature range from 230° to 300°K yield an activation energy of 0.56 eV.