The LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles)
Completed in March 2012
The new LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles) facility provides magnificent and complementary homes to the Los Angeles Zoo’s outstanding reptile collection — one of the rarest among North American zoos, as a result of a confiscation from a two-year sting operation headed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. USFWS officials intercepted a Malaysian smuggler's cache of Komodo dragons, Chinese alligators, false gavials, Burmese and star tortoises. Valued in excess of $750,000, the entire confiscation was placed in the care of the Los Angeles Zoo because of the agency’s high regard for our professional animal care staff and the quality of care provided.
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Elephants of Asia
Completed in December 2010
Addressing the critical needs of our largest mammals, the Elephants of Asia exhibit benefits our Asian elephant collection. With more than six acres, the exhibit is one of the largest of any urban zoo in the country and is the largest and most expensive exhibit at the LA Zoo, at a cost of approximately $42 million. This exhibit sets the standard for zoo management of these endangered species through providing the highest level of husbandry and veterinary care and the ability for elephants to care for themselves with minimal staff interaction. The visitor experience provides information on human impact on elephants in the wild as well as providing opportunities for up-close encounters with the elephants and their keeper staff.
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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.
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.
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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Artificial 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.
