A few years ago, Saint Louis Zoo purchased a 425-acre property in Spanish Lake, Missouri for use a second campus/facility. It has been revealed that this facility will be called the "Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park". The plan for the park is to focus on hoofstock, birds, and amphibians in a safari-like setting, presumably similar to SDZSP or The Wilds. Here is a presentation about the intentions of the facility from 2018: First renderings of the new Zoo expansion are out and are awesome! | ksdk.com And here is the recent announcement video: Watch now: Zoo unveils name for North Campus property
They are hoping to open the park up to the public as early as 2026. This is truly a very exciting project!!
I’m so excited for this. The Herpetarium is completely full at the main zoo so they hope to have an extensive facility dedicated exclusively to endangered amphibians, which they have only a few dozen or so of at the Herpetarium. I could care less about the glamping, kayaking, and “safari experience,” but over 50% of the park will be closed to the public and devoted to breeding and conserving endangered species, including ones not at the main zoo. 2026 needs to come now!
The zoo is advertising for an architect for the WildCare Park. The request lists some of the facilities to be included: RFQ Documents on Egnyte Keep in mind that this presentation focuses on architecture and is light on exhibit info
It seems they might be looking at a large African Savannah style animal collection. Expect: Speke's gazelle, Grevy zebra and the like.
So potentially the southern pasture would be Africa and the Northern maybe Asia, because early schematics did have indian rhino in them. Plus the zoo does work with species like banteng and takin that they may want to further engage with. As well there will be an exhibit building in the core visitor area and 2.5 acres of surrounding exhibits. This will likely be related to the zoos plan to work with amphibians on site.
Where did you find early schematics? Does anyone know if they released a rough master plan or site plan yet?
Im assuming this is what you were looking for? If not im sure someone would like to see it lol. Its pretty blurry but its called master plan architect of record in the link posted above
The zoo is asking the state for $135 Million in order to build the park: St. Louis Zoo lining up financing for North County safari park This article includes some new statements about what the WildCare Park will be, including: "The facility will serve as both an entertainment facility for visitors and a conservation area for scientists dedicated to sustaining endangered and threatened species." "Plans call for a welcome center with retail, eating and event space, a safari zone where visitors will board vehicles and navigate nearly 140 acres of the park to observe animals and an adventure zone with nature trails and board walks to bird-watch and explore." "Also on tap is a “Zooseum” facility which is a combination of a walking safari and a natural history museum." The planned opening year for the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park has been moved to 2027.
I don’t think the state is giving them money. It is simply permitting this public entity to borrow said money and repay it over the term of the bond.
This will also be great for the birds as well. The zoo has a lot of birds off-display due to limited amounts of habitats, so hopefully this new park will allow them to have more room along with exhibition for bird species.
A variety of information and new renderings of the upcoming park have been released. KMOVSaint Louis Zoo provides new updates on WildCare ParkST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOV) - On Tuesday, the Saint Louis Zoo provided multiple updates on some of the animals and planned guest activities at....2 hours ago St. Louis Post-DispatchSafaris, glamping and a tower ride: St. Louis Zoo reveals details of WildCare ParkThe park's first animals will arrive in 2023. It will open to the public in 2027..48 mins ago Additionally, the zoo shared a tentative species list of what the new site will include, originally posted on the zoo news thread by @Julio C Castro. Giraffe Grevy's zebra Greater kudu Addax Bongo Roan antelope Somali wild ass Przewalski's horse Scimitar-horned oryx Waterbuck Nile lechwe Banteng Gazelle (various species) White rhino Eland Sable antelope Bactrian camel Ostrich
Are the plans to keep and breed Kirtland's Warblers on the site scrapped then? That would be an interesting species to exhibit.
Here's a list of guest experiences from that second article: "Two 30-minute safaris from vehicles similar to the size of a school bus that seats 30-40 passengers. Woodland Safari – Guests can enjoy viewing animals within this 63-acre natural wooded habitat that is interspersed with grassy areas. The star of the Woodland Safari is the white rhino. Savanna Safari – This 101-acre pasture looks more like a traditional savanna with large grassy areas dotted with trees and includes several lakes and ponds. From a safari vehicle, guests can enjoy viewing approximately 100 animals. Walking safari experience – This multiple-acre habitat will allow guests to have an immersive experience as they wander through the habitat on a path with animals all around them. A “zooseum” – This 5,000-8,000 square foot interactive indoor zoo-museum-science center that will use augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Glamping – Spend the night glamping – or glamorous camping – in one of 10 private luxury cabins. Guests can just relax or embark on a safari ride, take a nature hike, enjoy a meal and/or chat with animal care or research experts. Giraffe feeding – This unique animal experience will have guests at head height to giraffes. For a fee, guests can purchase browse or lettuce to offer to the giraffes getting up close to their 18-inch tongues. Restaurant – Enjoy a delicious meal or sip on a beverage at the WildCare Park restaurant. Indoor and outdoor seating will be available."
We don't know yet. Even if we did, the park won't open until 2027 - there's plenty of times for plans to change or even be cancelled.
The first animals have moved into the park: several Addax and Grevy's Zebras. The facility is still on track to open in 2027. Animals start to move into St. Louis Zoo’s WildCare Park, which will open in 2027
On January 9th, 2024, the zoo announced they would hire a new director for the facility, that being Sabarras George. He starts his tenure on February 5th. Saint Louis Zoo
