Donors, members, educators and general Zoo visitors continue to have their expectations elevated - each improvement at the Zoo makes it easier to get around, gives the animals first-class new homes, and makes the entire Zoo experience more meaningful. We hope you’ll be part of this extraordinary effort! Support Encounter Africa by donating online, or, next time you’re at the Zoo, drop your spare change at the Grizzly Grill or elephant exhibit.

TIMELINE:

• A multi-year opening begins with the spectacular new elephant barn
• Opening of the elephant and rhino exhibits
• Opening of the African lion exhibit

LION EXHIBIT FEATURES: 

• New, larger dens with a day room so they can choose to all be together, or to spend time by themselves.
• Heated rock outcroppings
• Upper and lower viewing areas
• Misters and shade structures
• Water buffalo carcass sculpture for feeding demonstrations
• Waterfall and stream

RHINO EXHIBIT FEATURES:

• Shallow pool
• Bush airplane cantilevered from top of exhibit (guests can view rhinos from inside the plane)
• Mud wallows
• Radiant heat

ELEPHANT BARN FEATURES:

• Solar-heated water
• Misters
• Large natural substrate sand stall
• 6” deep Splash Stall with elephant-operated warm-water shower
• Enrichment tree

ELEPHANT EXHIBIT FEATURES:

• Deep and shallow pools
• Mud wallows and waterfall
• Dry riverbed
• Shade structures
• Scratching tree
• Enrichment/training wall
• Radiant heat

MEERKAT EXHIBIT FEATURES:

• Hot rocks
• Radiant heat
• Termite mound
• Enrichment logs

SKYBRIDGE FEATURES:

• Tall suspension-style bridge over the top of the outside elephant
  exhibit and demonstration areas.
• Bridge offers spectacular views of the city, leading visitors to/from the inside elephant barn viewing areas.

AMPHITHEATER FEATURES:

• Will feature elephant training and enrichment “shows”
• Allows guests to see elephant-keeper interaction, training and husbandry

SAFARI ENTRY PLAZA FEATURES:

• Traditional safari “tent” to be used for interpretation and education programs
• Four full-sized African elephant sculptures

AUSTRALIA EXHIBIT IMPROVEMENTS:

• Funds raised through this campaign will provide for a new addition to Australia, which currently houses Bennett's and Parma wallabies, Budgie Buddies, American alligators, bearded dragons, emu, blu-tongued skink, legless lizards, knob-tail geckos and Ackies monitors.
• Replacing the outdated Small Mammal Line, the new exhibit will feature and compare facinating saltwater crocodiles and American alligators.

OVERALL SITE PLAN - Encounter Africa:

(Download PDF (1.3MB)

CONTACT US:

To learn more about helping to make Encounter Africa a reality, please contact Kelley Parker, Major Gifts and Planned Giving Manager at (719) 633-9924 ext. 164.