In 2016 Omaha just opened the $73 million, 28-acre African Grasslands complex, as well as the $14 million Alaskan Adventure waterpark area...and already there is "Adventure Education" that is soon to be under construction near the Desert Dome (it will be a children's zone with small mammal exhibits and classrooms amongst other delights). Now there is a clear timeline for Asian Highlands and although I knew of the plans I'm a bit stunned at how fast everything is happening in Omaha.
This recent news article specifically mentions San Diego Zoo several times, as clearly Omaha is in the upper echelon of American zoos and perhaps even zoos worldwide.
According to the Master Plan link below, Asian Highlands will cost $18 million, the Komodo dragon exhibit $1.5 million and Adventure Education $16 million.
Omaha Zoo is really improving rapidly. When the new tiger exhibit opens they will have gone a long ways to updating their feline facilities with new tiger, lion, and cheetah exhibits. Will this complete the removal of cats from the outdated cat building?
Is there a new polar bear exhibit on the horizon after the Asia exhibits? Their old bear exhibits (like those of several other zoos) seem like one of the major areas to yet be overhauled that needs it.
Omaha Zoo is really improving rapidly. When the new tiger exhibit opens they will have gone a long ways to updating their feline facilities with new tiger, lion, and cheetah exhibits. Will this complete the removal of cats from the outdated cat building?
Is there a new polar bear exhibit on the horizon after the Asia exhibits? Their old bear exhibits (like those of several other zoos) seem like one of the major areas to yet be overhauled that needs it.
The Cat Complex opened in the late 1970's and is now obviously outdated and slated for demolition. I'm not sure what the current species line-up is but some animals will have brand-new exhibits (lion, cheetah and tiger) while others will likely be phased out of the collection.
Andean Foothills is another proposed addition to the zoo for the long-term and potential species according to the Master Plan are: jaguars, pumas, spectacled bears, etc.
Coastal Shores is a proposed large complex that will be tied into the new Alaskan Adventure waterpark as the theming will already be in place. Coastal Shores will be located on the footprint of the current Bear Canyon, which is the second major part of the zoo that is outdated. However, as I've pointed out on ZooChat on numerous occasions, where Omaha will obtain polar bears is anyone's guess.
It is interesting to note that on the link below there is a comparison between what could arguably be called America's 4 best zoos: San Diego, Omaha, Saint Louis and Columbus. Those 4 facilities have spent a crazy amount of money during the past decade and myself and many other zoo enthusiasts would agree that those 4 (plus perhaps the Bronx in 5th place) constitute the "cream of the crop". At the bottom of the article the big 4 zoos are compared via Trip Advisor ranking, acreage, species, annual attendance, memberships, summer admission prices and even parking spaces. It makes for an enlightening read:
A komodo dragon in the entry plaza would be an interesting change of pace. Though, I would like to see further plans. A million five seems fairly hefty for this type of exhibit.
I have visited this zoo annually for the past two years and have seen drastic improvements with the African region, which surprised me then, and now this, which is surprising me even more now. I cannot wait to go back when they finish this.
