Planning for the Future.
The Zoo's Master Plan, originally created in 1989, allows us to make changes and improvements by replacing deteriorating exhibits and buildings and improving visitor accessibility, convenience and safety. Over the past two decades, more than $30 million has been raised from community individuals, foundations and corporations and invested to replace or repair outdated Zoo facilities and exhibits. View CMZ's Master Plan Map.
Improvements made at the Zoo include: Asian Highlands (1996), Lions Lair (1997), My Big Backyard (2001), African Rift Valley (2003), Rocky Mountain Wild (2008), and most recently the Front Entry Plaza and Grizzly Grill (2010). With the completion of the Front Entry Plaza and Grizzly Grill, nearly 30% of the Zoo remains over 40 years old.
The next phase in the Zoo's master plan is to renovate our African elephant exhibit, creating a completely new African experience. Our upcoming exhibit, Encounter Africa, will feature African elephants, African lions, rhinos, meerkats, and more. We plan to break ground on our new, state-of-the-art elephant barn in the Fall of 2010, with an estimated completion date of Summer 2011. The rest of the exhibit is expected to open Spring 2012, giving our guests the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the most extraordinary animals in Africa.
The Zoo prides itself on continuously evolving, creating exciting new and updated exhibits that give our guests the opportunity to understand and fall in love with animals and nature. By transforming the visitor experience from a passive viewer to an active participant, the Zoo strives to encourage an appreciation and respect for the dignity and intrinsic value of all living things, and to challenge them to make a difference in the natural world.
To learn more about Encounter Africa, please contact Kelley Parker, Major Gifts and Planned Giving Manager at (719) 633-9924 ext. 164.
