Kansas City Zoo Kansas City Zoo News 2025

On January 14th, it was reported that the zoo banned cigarettes and vapes from being used on facility grounds. Visitors can use them off-grounds and come back on the same day, provided they are stamped at the entry gate.

No more smoking: Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium bans cigarettes, vapes

On January 28th, the zoo announced they acquired 3 red lionfish which are now on display in the Sprint Ocean Garden exhibit at the Helzberg Penguin Plaza area. The tank's former inhabitants were moved to the live coral tank in the Sobela Ocean Aquarium area which will be on exhibit in the future.

6.4K views · 272 reactions | Meet the Lionfish | NEW ZOO SPECIES ALERT: We are swimming with excitement over our newest arrival: the volitans lionfish (Pterois Volitans)! Three of these fascinating fish... | By Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium | Facebook
 
Does the Kansas Zoo still have mona monkeys when I was there i did not see them, but at the same time I was in a hurry to fit everything in one day so I could have possibly missed it I just want clarification if the Kansas city zoo still has mona monkeys
 
On April 18th, the zoo announced they moved a common boa named Bubba from being an ambassador animal to on display in the lower level of the Discovery Barn building. The zoo also announced that Bubba will sometimes be used as an ambassador in the future.

8.2K views · 194 reactions | Bubba at the Discovery Barn | NEW DISCOVERY BARN RESIDENT: If you’re a frequent audience member at our Animal Adventures LIVE program, you may already know Bubba! This boa constrictor... | By Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium | Facebook
 
Smaggledagle said:
On August 17th, the zoo announced they will close the Kopje section of the Africa area for a few months starting on August 19th due to renovations, which include improved indoor viewing of the African lions, renovations to exhibits, more accessible pathways, and a permanent bathroom area, among other improvements.

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
Click to expand...

On May 5th, the zoo announced they opened the renovated caracal exhibit as well as the walkway and new restrooms to the public, with the rest of kopje area to be reopened by late May to early June.

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
 
The Friends of the Zoo 2nd Quarter Newsletter has some fantastic updates on their 10 year Master Plan.
Here are a few highlights from page 5 in the link posted below...

2026- The previously announced new Giraffe complex w/feeding station and new Cafe
2027- Expanded Zoo Learning Center and "a few new animal habitats" added near the entrance and Main Tram station
2028- New flamingo building for year round viewing and renovated habitat
2029- "At least one new bear species"
2030- Koalas for the summer..and then drumroll...
2031- A major multi-species indoor/outdoor Asian Trek to replace the current Tiger Trail (built in 1972 as The Great Cat Walk) which currently houses Bornean orangutans, Sumatran tigers, Lion-tailed macaques, red pandas, Francois langurs and Rhinocerous hornbills
2032- Hyenas will be added to the already impressive lineup in Africa, to be followed by
2033- A indoor/outdoor exhibition with underwater viewing for Nile hippos and new to the Zoo: Nile crocodiles and pygmy hippos



Expeditions 2025 - Q2
 
According to today's new email for members the renovated/expanded African Kopje is Now Open to the public! This includes expanded/improved indoor lion viewing and small mammal habitats (for our fennec foxes, sand cats, bat-eared foxes, black-footed cats rock hyraxes and caracal) plus a surprise new addition... aardvarks!

"We are roaring with excitement because the African Kopje is officially open. Since last August, crews have been busy renovating the area home to lions, sand cats, fennec foxes, bat-eared foxes, black-footed cats, rock hyraxes, and a caracal. Along with these beloved favorites, we are welcoming a new African Kopje species: the aardvark!

Guests can enjoy widened pathways, two new family restrooms, and a mother’s room. Lion indoor viewing was also expanded 30 percent and features a new ADA-designated area to increase accessibility. We are thrilled to unveil these renovations as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Africa at the KCZoo."
 
ericnielsenkc said:
The Friends of the Zoo 2nd Quarter Newsletter has some fantastic updates on their 10 year Master Plan.
Here are a few highlights from page 5 in the link posted below...

2026- The previously announced new Giraffe complex w/feeding station and new Cafe
2027- Expanded Zoo Learning Center and "a few new animal habitats" added near the entrance and Main Tram station
2028- New flamingo building for year round viewing and renovated habitat
2029- "At least one new bear species"
2030- Koalas for the summer..and then drumroll...
2031- A major multi-species indoor/outdoor Asian Trek to replace the current Tiger Trail (built in 1972 as The Great Cat Walk) which currently houses Bornean orangutans, Sumatran tigers, Lion-tailed macaques, red pandas, Francois langurs and Rhinocerous hornbills
2032- Hyenas will be added to the already impressive lineup in Africa, to be followed by
2033- A indoor/outdoor exhibition with underwater viewing for Nile hippos and new to the Zoo: Nile crocodiles and pygmy hippos
Click to expand...
This is a really exciting master plan but I'm also very impressed with how matter-of-fact they describe these plans in the magazine. It doesn't feel like the kind of marketing language a lot of zoos lean into and has an almost conversational quality. It's not a huge deal but I like the approach. Kansas City seems eager to only increase their profile as one of the greatest zoos and it's very exciting to think where they could be in less than a decade.

Also, the African Kopje looks like a dream for me!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top