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Facilities Currently Under Construction

Pachyderm ForestPachyderm Forest

To be Completed: November 2010

Addressing the critical needs of our largest mammals, the Pachyderm Forest exhibit will benefit our Asian elephant collection. With more than six acres — nearly seven times the size of our current elephant space —this exhibit will be one of the largest of any urban zoo in the country and will be the largest and most expensive exhibits at the LA Zoo at a cost of approximately $42 million. This exhibit will set 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 will provide 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. 

Five distinct Asian-inspired gateways will tell the cultural and natural histories of this highly endangered species—its long partnership with man,  the impact of human encroachment on elephants’ natural migration routes and habitats and human-elephant conflicts that must be solved if the species is to survive. The Wasserman Family Thai Viewing Pavilion will provide for up close viewing of the elephants and encounters with their keeper staff.

 

Bearded DragonReptile and Insect Interpretive Center:

To be Completed: February 2011

The future Reptile and Insect Interpretive Center will provide magnificent and complementary homes to the Los Angeles Zoo’s outstanding reptile collection. One of the most popular collections with the public, it is also one of the rarest among North American Zoos.

The Center will feature indoor and outdoor spaces with opportunities to learn about varied species from around the world. Visitors will see not only their favorite reptiles but also be able to view keepers at work as they manage breeding programs for rare species and facilitate the animals’ daily care.