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The plan overview
Denver Zoo's Master Plan is currently being implemented to dramatically improve the lives of animals and enhance educational resources for families. The Master Plan creates a family adventure in which visitors will stroll winding paths to view animals roaming within natural habitats that look and feel like the wild. Habitat improvements will replace the Zoo's antiquated core with state-of-the-art animal homes that are both physically and psychologically stimulating.
The Need
After more than a century of educating and entertaining families at its 80-acre site, the Zoo is suffering the strains of time, and several of our animal habitats are in critical need of replacement. Most of the Zoo's core exhibits were designed with 50-year-old technology that is now obsolete; new habitats are greatly needed to meet animals' basic needs. Much has improved at the Zoo since its humble beginning in 1896. Habitats and facilities, such as Primate Panorama, Tropical Discovery and Gates Wildlife Conservation Education Center, are in the vanguard of modern exhibits and education. But significant scientific and technological advances compel the Zoo to build habitats that foster physical and psychological health for all animals.
The Years of Planning
The Master Plan culminates more than three years of planning to modernize Zoo habitats and visitor amenities. Proposed exhibits were developed by renowned zoo architects, veterinarians, wildlife biologists and conservationists, and these plans underwent community review by local business people, community leaders and neighborhood residents as well as local government officials.
The Key Points
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In 1996, Denver Zoo began a comprehensive plan to modernize outdated exhibits, improve animal homes and enhance educational opportunities for visitors. |
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The core of the Zoo, which houses its most antiquated habitats, will be replaced with state-of-the-art naturalistic exhibits. |
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Animals most in need of new habitats are big cats (lions, tigers, leopards and jaguars) and pachyderms (elephants, rhinos and hippos). |
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Children will benefit from more hands-on learning opportunities throughout the park. |
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Visitors will be virtually transported around the globe by showcasing animals in settings that replicate nature and illustrate the world's fragile biodiversity. |
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The Master Plan will enhance the Zoo's role as a major conservation and education resource. |
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The Zoo will remain inside its existing footprint. |
The Plan Highlights
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Denver Zoo has a magnificent feline collection, but their home is outdated, cramped and not conducive to big cats' behavioral and psychological needs. The plan proposes a series of ledge rocks to be home to a majestic pride of lions, and to allow visitors dramatic views of cats as they roam an African savanna exhibit. The first phase of the plan, Predator Ridge and a new entryway plaza, was completed in June 2004 and is now open to the public. |
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The Pachyderm Building, constructed in 1958, is home to elephants, tapirs, rhinos and hippos, must be replaced to eliminate sterile paddocks and better meet the animals' needs. The Denver Zoological Foundaition is currently raising funds for the next phase of the plan, an exhibit called Asian Tropics, which will provide increased vegetation, shade trees for shelter from sun and rain, more room to roam and a pond for wallowing (an important daily ritual for skin care and health). |
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The public's increasingly sophisticated educational and recreational demands compel the Zoo to create more opportunities to learn about wildlife conservation and preservation. The Master Plan includes more hands-on learning and better interpretive graphics to teach visitors about animals in settings that replicate natural geography and habitat. For example, an interactive discovery center will virtually transport children around the globe to a place where they can inspect a termite mound or touch the pelt of a dangerous predator. |
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Already completed, parking enhancements alleviate congestion on the Zoo's busiest days. |
By the Numbers
Financing includes a combination of private fund-raising and funds from a bond request passed in November 1999 by Denver voters.
Predator Ridge
Completed in June of 2004, Predator Ridge features a large series of ledge rocks or Kopjes (pronounced coe-pee) built to recreate a cross-sectional view of Kenya's Samburu National Game Reserve. This large terrace is home to two prides of lions, with the focal point visible from outside the Zoo entrance.
Toyota Elephant Passage
Denver Zoo is currently raising funds for Toyota Elephant Passage, a 10-acre exhibit that will showcase some of Asia's unique animals, including both mammals and birds. The elephant habitat and surrounding areas will be themed as a lumber camp featuring a heavily forested riverbank area which provides necessary shade and stimulation for the elephants.
Asian Temperate Forest
A heavily forested habitat will be created to replicate the woodsy terrain native to Asian cat species like the endangered Siberian tiger, Siberian lynx and Pallas' cat. The majestic animals will roam in a spacious and shady habitat that supports their natural behaviors and habits. A rustic viewing blind will be constructed to allow visitors up-close viewing of the tigers without disrupting their natural behavior.
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