We hope you enjoy this information on upcoming projects at the Zoo. Please know that all of these projects are still in the early stages of design and have not been finalized, so these plans could still change. we Will share More information about ongoing construction in the upcoming months as the projects continue.
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North American Habitat
Rethinking an outdated space to showcase visitor favorite species native to North America.
The Cincinnati Zoo’s Bear Hill habitat was ahead of its time when built in 1937, with a barless design and technique of using “gunite” to simulate rockwork. But the area hasn’t aged well and needs a refresh – both to provide best of care for our animals and a better visitor experience. Factoring in the current habitat’s age and space limitations on its hilly site required a lot of consideration from animal care and facilities teams, but we have landed on a terrific solution: create open spaces to showcase North American species. The new plan includes converting the lower grotto into a saltwater system for Sea Otters.
A larger, multi-species habitat would go into the combined middle grottos, and at the top of the hill we will highlight species who can take advantage of vertical spaces, such as birds. The refreshed space will give visitors an exciting and more intimate view of the habitats and animals.
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Rhino Reserve
A new habitat to support natural rhino behaviors, health, and well-being as well as a long-term breeding program.
As one of the oldest habitats at the Cincinnati Zoo, the Veldt has been through a myriad of renovations through the years. The habitat has been tweaked, pulled, and pushed in many directions to the point where it has lost any cohesive message about the animals living there. To provide More Home to Roam for all the animals in our existing Veldt area, we will redesign the habitats currently occupied by Flamingoes, Okapi, Bongos, Zebras, and Black Rhinos into multiple yards with expansive vistas across species, much like our Africa habitat.
Visitors will enjoy an immersive experience, with a winding pathway that leads into the heart of the habitat to a central viewing area into each species. Plans include expanded moats, new holding areas, and visitor viewing decks. Importantly, we will also expand space for our critically endangered Black Rhinos to encourage breeding. This species is solitary except when breeding or rearing young, so “alone time” space is crucial for them to thrive.
Rhino Reserve will put our Zoo on the leading edge of rhino care, research, and management for the purpose of saving the species from extinction:
- Next Gen Rhinoceros Management & Facilities
- World-class Breeding Program
- Enriching Indoor & Outdoor Environments
- Naturalistic, Park-like Habitat
- Optimal Visitor Experiences
- Environmentally Sustainable Design
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Giraffe’s Tower
Convert an iconic structure and habitat into a new, exciting space at the Zoo’s front door.
As one of the most recognized buildings at the Zoo, the Elephant House has been the centerpiece of animal habitats since the day it was built in 1905. Its current occupants are elephants, but after our herd moves to its new digs in Elephant Trek, we are planning something wonderful for the space. By combining the yards around the Elephant House and expanding towards Entry Village, this new, larger habitat would open up vistas to one of the Zoo’s most sacred pieces of architecture, and accommodate a much larger giraffe herd in the bargain.
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Carousel
The carousel is moving up to Swan Lake, where it will go from 32 to 64 seats surrounded by a vintage-style open air structure and boardwalk.
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