Zoo Review Updates, 2022 - Part II

While not new construction per-se, the National Aquarium in Baltimore completed a major project these year when it replaced the roof of its iconic glass pyramid, which houses the Rainforest exhibit.  The new roof is both more energy efficient and more bird friendly, with the 600-plus panels designed to reduce the likelihood of bird collisions.

The NEW Zoo in northeastern Wisconsin has broken ground on two new projects to expand and improve habitats (especially indoor holding space) for two of its most iconic exotic species - snow leopard and giraffe.  The new giraffe barn in particular will provide indoor viewing of the world's tallest mammals.

While the main construction project (the renovated Bird House) is still in progress, the Smithsonian National Zoo opened a series of small habitats for small carnivores - binturong, bobcat, and Pallas' cats - in a side trail near the Kid's Farm, named Claws and Paws

Phoenix Zoo will be constructing new habitats for the two big cats of Arizona, jaguar and puma, on its Arizona trail.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park has announced plans for a reimagining of its African elephant exhibit, already one of the best in the country.

Sunset Zoo in Manhattan, Kansas, opened Expedition Asia, with habitats for tiger, Amur leopard, and sloth bear, species which had been absent from the zoo for several years.

Topeka Zoo continues to work on a new habitat for giraffes and antelope.  The transfer of giraffes to a new habitat will accelerate the emptying-out of the large mammals from its Animals and Man building. 

Zoo Tampa completed its new habitats for American black bear and Florida panther.  Hamadryas baboons moved into the old chimp exhibit in the primate section.

In addition to these planned exhibits, several zoos have announced new masterplans, some of which call for almost complete reimagining of their facilities.  These include Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Zoo Tampa, Brookfield Zoo, and others, including many zoos which I haven't visited yet (including Sacramento Zoo, which is releasing plans for an entirely new zoo to replace the current facility).  

There's a lot to look forward to in the zoo and aquarium community over the next several years!