Several Updates on Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park

         • Targeting public opening for 2027

       • Development of WildCare Park estimated to cost $230 million

       • Building demolitions nearing completion and perimeter fence installation is underway

       • Animals to begin arriving in 2023 for pilot pasture

      Today, (July 19)  the Saint Louis Zoo provided several updates and unveiled renderings of some of the animals and planned guest experiences at Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park and many other details

“We are excited to share these WildCare Park updates,” said Dwight Scott, Dana Brown President & CEO, Saint Louis Zoo. “Our team has been extremely busy and we look forward to sharing more updates on WildCare Park as we move forward.”

The developmentofWildCare Parkisestimated to cost$230 million with fundingcoming from a varietyofsources,includingphilanthropy,externalfinancingproceedsinadditiontoexistingand future Zoo and Saint Louis Zoo Association cash reserves.

At this time, only St. Louis County residents will be able to experience WildCare Park admission-free as County voters passed Prop Z in 2018 to support the development and operations of WildCare Park while expanding educational programs for children aging infrastructure issues at the Zoo’s century-old campus. Included with admission are Woodland Safari, Savanna Safari, the walking safari, the nature adventure area, and the zooseum.

Admission prices for guests outside of St. Louis County as well as costs for the paid experiences and details pertaining to membership benefits will be shared at a later date.

“The community has been incredibly supportive throughout the planning stages and we’re excited to continue to work with them,” said Dr. Mogerman. “As our plans further develop, we look forward to sharing more.”

With a target public opening slated for 2027, animals will begin arriving at WildCare Park in 2023 for a pilot pasture.

“There are a lot of complexities associated with building a large zoological park like this. The enormity and importance – size and scope – are incredible,” said Jo-Elle Mogerman, Ph.D., Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park Director. “Understandably, the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues – including long lead times of up to one year for key materials like steel, wood and fencing – have slowed down many aspects of the process; however, we still were able to continue with our planning as well as our biodiversity studies. We want to do this right so that it’s sustainable for generations to come.”

After careful evaluation and consideration of how to utilize all of the buildings on the property, demolition of a few older buildings was necessary as renovation was not feasible and was cost

prohibitive. This demolition work is nearing completion. Additionally, fence installation and grading has begun around the perimeter of the property and will likely continue through the first couple of months of 2023.

Animals selected for WildCare Park are species that will thrive in Missouri’s variable seasonal climate. “We have selected species that are most likely to thrive in a multi-species environment and to coexist in harmony with the native wildlife that are living at WildCare Park,” said Fischer. “We have chosen species that will benefit the most from large living spaces. Giraffes, white rhinos and all of the equid/horse species have large natural ranges in the wild, so providing these species with large spaces at WildCare Park will allow them to display the full array of their natural behaviors. Additionally, when we selected species, we favored ones that are priorities for the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute, which encompasses our field conservation programs,” said Fischer. “We hope to grow the number of species as time goes on to include birds, reptiles and amphibians.”

Animals will be all over the 425-acreproperty.The animals at the KentFamily Conservationanl Animal Science Center are endangered and are at risk of extinction in the wild. The species selected for the safari areas are a mix of endangered and non-endangered species, although endangered species were given the highest priority during selection. Some of the species selected for WildCare Park are currently present at the Zoo, but many of the species at WildCare Park will be different than the Zoo

Kent Family Conservation and Animal Science Center

   Made possible by the generosity of the Jerry and Judy Kent family, the Kent Family Conservation and Animal Science Center will be a dedicated facility to sustain endangered and threatened species. For many such species, the Zoo is their last hope. The Zoo has a long history of bringing species back from the brink of extinction, and having a facility dedicated to assuring their survival, both in human care and in the wild, is critically important.

The Kent Family Conservation and Animal Science Center includes 61 acres of secluded conservation area with pastures and barns to maintain and grow populations of endangered ungulates (hoofed mammals).

The Kent Family Conservation and Animal Science Center will be home to six or more endangered species living in large 5- to 10-acre single-species pastures. The initial species that will live in this area are Grevy’s zebra, addax, bongo, Przewalski’s horse, roan antelope and Somali wild ass. Initially, there will be five modular, utilitarian barns in this area with up to 12 interconnected pastures of varying sizes.

Guest Experiences

“At WildCare Park, guests will be immersed in nature and animal pastures, providing unique experiences with every visit,” said Dr. Mogerman. “Every visit will be a new adventure.”

While subject to change, here is the initial list with brief descriptions of the guest experiences that will likely be at WildCare Park:

• Two 30-minute safaris from vehicles similar to the size of a school bus that seat 30-40 passengers. During the safaris, animal experts will share stories and describe the behaviors of the animals as well as the care they receive and the field conservation work done by conservationists through the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute. During both safaris, guests can learn what they can do to help save species from extinction and support wildlife.

Woodland Safari – Guests can enjoy viewing animals within this 63-acre natural wooded habitat that is interspersed with grassy areas. The star of the Woodland Safari is the white rhino. A group of up to 10 white rhinos will have free range throughout Woodland Safari, living with approximately 30 other larger ungulates – for example, eland and sable antelope – and ostriches.

Savanna Safari – This 101-acre pasture looks more like a traditional savanna with large grassy areas dotted with trees and includes several lakes and ponds. From a safari vehicle, guests can enjoy viewing approximately 100 animals, including a herd of up to 20 giraffes as well as ungulates like Grevy’s zebra, banteng, greater kudu, scimitar- horned oryx, and waterbucks

• Walking safari experience – This multiple-acre habitat will allow guests to have an immersive experience as they wander through the habitat on a path with animals all around them.
• A “zooseum” – This 5,000-8,000 square foot interactive indoor zoo-museum-science center that will use augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) as well as other technologies to help guests feel how animals experience the world.
• Nature adventure area – 60 acres of land geared toward families and children who can (re)discover nature surrounded by native Missouri wildlife flora and fauna.
• Safari observation tower  (depicted in above photos) – For a fee, guests can enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience by going 11 stories up in the air to take in 360-degree views of WildCare Park, the cityscape and the Missouri-Mississippi River Confluence.
• Premium safaris – For a fee, guests can take a guided tour with an animal expert in two

Board the back of an open-air truck that seats about 12 guests and go “off-road” for excitingup-close experiences with the animals.There would be opportunities to feed giraffe and others peciesfromthe truck as well as geta closeup ofthe KentFamily Conservation and Animal Science Center.  Climb into a jeep that can seat four guests and spend a few hours experiencing educational interactions with WildCare Park animal care professionals, visit behind-the- scenes areas in pastures and barns, and more.

• Giraffe feeding – This unique animal experience will have guests at head height to giraffes. For a fee, guests can purchase browse or lettuce to offer to the giraffes getting up close to their 18-inch tongues.
• Glamping – Spend the night glamping – or glamorous camping – in one of10 private luxuryGuestscan justrelaxorembarkonasafariride,takea nature hike,enjoy a mealand/or chatwith animalcareor research experts.
• Restaurant – Enjoy a delicious meal or sip on a beverage at the WildCare Park restaurant. Indoor and outdoor seating will be The outdoor seating has views looking into a conservation pasture.
• Event center – Book a special event at WildCare Park. The event center will accommodate smaller functions and large celebrations as there will be two ballrooms. Located in the center of WildCare Park, there will be breathtaking views of the Savanna Safari and incredible experiences, like giraffe feedings right off of the deck of the event

For more information on WildCare Park, please visit stlzoo.org/wildcarepark.

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