News Category: New Habitats

Denver Zoo has broken ground on a sweeping $52 million expansion of its African savanna complex. The project, backed by a combination of city bonds and private philanthropy, is set to transform the zoo’s eastern campus into a 12-acre immersive landscape.

“We’ve dreamed of this for decades,” said Zoo Director Carl Novak. “Our animals deserve space that mirrors their natural environment, and our visitors deserve an encounter that’s nothing short of extraordinary.”

The new habitat will feature naturalistic terrain, elevated walkways, and a glass-walled viewing lodge where guests can watch giraffes feeding at eye level. Completion is expected in spring 2027.

Columbus Zoo has broken ground on a comprehensive renovation of its Polar Frontier zone. The $28 million project will expand polar bear swimming pools to three times their current size, add a dedicated Arctic fox habitat, and feature an immersive tundra landscape for visitors.

“Our polar bears deserve space that supports their physical and psychological wellbeing,” said zoo president Tom Stalf. “This renovation is a statement of our commitment to the highest standards of animal care.”

The new Polar Frontier is expected to open in spring 2027 and will include climate-controlled viewing domes accessible year-round.

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park has unveiled its most ambitious habitat project in two decades: a 28-acre Okavango Delta experience. The $60 million project replicates the seasonal floodplains of Botswana’s famous delta ecosystem and houses African wild dogs, ground hornbills, and a rotating cast of antelope species.

Visitors can explore the habitat on foot via an elevated boardwalk, board electric boats for guided water tours, or observe from a replica safari lodge with panoramic views.

“This isn’t a zoo exhibit — it’s a portal to one of Africa’s most magical places,” said the park’s lead designer, Sarah Lin.