Somehow this seems to have escaped our notice, but the Omaha Zoo is embarking on a 40 million dollar fundraising development plan to build an African savanna with elephants, rhinos, and other species (wild dogs, lions, and sable exhibits are in a plan embedded in the article) and a new cat complex by 2017. The embedded news story in the article is worth watching if you can stand the perky reporter. It says that the new cat exhibit will be bigger than the current cat complex. Omaha zoo plans $40M expansion | Local News - KETV Home
I'm particulary excited about the future elephant enclosure. I have read that the total acreage of the "African Savannah" exhibit will be about 22 acres. Does anyone have any idea how much of it will be dedicated to the elephants?
I would like to see a Seven Seas type exhibit like Brookfield at the Omaha Zoo. A new home for sea lions is in the master plan, but unfortunately in my opinion, no walrus, seal, or cetacean plans. And space would be an issue, even with the expansion for parking on the old ball park, they are essentially going to be locked without space beyond their current boundaries.
Appears the zoo is ready to start construction! Fencing is up, some of the animals moved off exhibit, and new trail created which cuts through giraffe yard since fence will block off southern area.
It doesn't take long for that zoo to raise any sort of money. I'd definitely like to see pictures of what the area is looking like through the different phases of construction.
