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Chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains

Completed in 1998

Hailed by Jane Goodall as one of the finest chimpanzee exhibits in operation, Chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains creates the illusion of exploring an actual chimpanzee habitat.  Arficial termite mounds and camouflaged treat dispensers encourage the curiosity and natural behaviors of chimpanzees and allow visitors to observe these animals’ natural tool-making and using abilities.  Educational panels address chimpanzees’ group dynamics and behaviors and global conservation efforts.

 

 

Red Ape Rain Forest

Completed in 2000

Red Ape Rainforest closely resembles orangutan habitats in Borneo and Sumatra, offering these “people of the forest” opportunities for extensive physical and mental stimulation for happy and healthy lives. A behind-the-scenes living complex features six heated night rooms and an open air group room. One of the country’s only arboreal exhibits, Red Ape Rain Forest has been a visitor favorite since its opening, and even more so since the 2005 birth of “Bosco Berani”, the daughter of Minyak and Kalim.

 

 

 

Winnick Family Children’s Zoo & Muriel’s Ranch (Animal Contact Area)

Completed in 2001

The Winnick Family Children’s Zoo facilitates exploration and discovery by our youngest guests.  Designed with a child’s sense of fun in mind, it offers education and conservation messages that underscore all Zoo programs.  The Zoo’s animal nursery, a small reptile house, prairie dog tunnels and an open air amphitheater delight one and all.

Within the children’s zoo, Muriel’s Ranch invites children to interact with goats, miniature horses, donkeys and llamas in a comfortable setting for the animals. Their experiences reinforce respect for all living creatures.

 

Gottlieb Animal Health and Conservation Center

Completed in 2002

Dedicated to encouraging the healthy lives of Zoo animals, the 28,500 square-foot Gottlieb Animal Health and Conservation Center features a USDA primate quarantine unit, a sterile surgery suite with observation area, examination and intensive care rooms and state-of-the art medical equipment. Whether an animal is seen upon its arrival at the Zoo for examination or quarantine, when ill or in need of surgery, or for routine health management, it is cared for by the outstanding professionals of our medical, research and behavioral enrichment teams.

 

 

Children’s Discovery Center

Completed in 2004

The Children’s Discovery Center is a leading Los Angeles educational resource located at the Zoo’s entrance. Offering interactive programming for both the 500,000 children visiting the Los Angeles Zoo annually and patrons of all ages, it includes the Bank of America Foundation Discovery Room (to open in 2007), the 250-seat Witherbee Foundation Auditorium equipped with extensive audiovisual facilities, three dividable classrooms, living facilities for our outreach animals, and offices for Zoo Education Staff and the 900-person strong GLAZA docent and general volunteer program.

 

 

Entry Plaza and Sea Lions Cliffs Entry Plaza, Completed in December, 2004 Sea Lion Cliffs, Completed in June, 2005 The dramatic Los Angeles Zoo entrance provides visitors with one of the most dramatic zoo entries in our nation. Conceptually mirroring the face of Southern California, it emphasizes themes important to the development of our region—climate, agriculture and water, and in doing so underscores the Zoo’s mission as both a zoological institution and a botanical garden.  Sea Lion Cliffs focuses on the ecology of Southern California’s rocky coast and near-shore waters.  The 160,000 gallon saltwater exhibits features either California sea lions and/or harbor seas in a replicated rocky cove with two pools of varied depth, three viewing areas with below-  and above-water views and a beach area for the animals.

Campo Gorilla Reserve

Completed in November, 2007

Campo Gorilla Reserve has been designed to closely resemble the gorilla's native West Central African environment with trees, brush, flowers, waterfalls, climbing opportunities, a sunny grass area, and a dark shady retreat. With two distinct exhibits, one for the family group and one for the bachelor group, Campo Gorilla Reserve allows Zoo visitors to view the gorillas from five different areas, two of which are glass fronted which allows the possibility for extremely close observation of the apes in their habitat. The reserve is landscaped with hundreds of plants including bamboo, palms, pomegranates, ferns and much more.

The family habitat includes Kelly, a 20-year-old silverback, and three females - Evelyn, age 31; Rapunzel, age 23; and her daughter Glenda, age 2, who have returned to the L.A. Zoo after a four-year stay at the Denver Zoo during construction of their new home. The bachelor group consists of two young male gorillas, Hasani, age 13, and Jabari, age 10, who are from Disney's Animal Kingdom in Florida. Campo Gorilla Reserve will allow the L.A. Zoo to explain to our visitors why gorillas are endangered, what we can do to help them and instill in them the passion to care about these great apes.