{"id":24965,"date":"2022-07-19T15:22:41","date_gmt":"2022-07-19T15:22:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flovalleynews.com\/?p=24965"},"modified":"2022-07-19T18:05:37","modified_gmt":"2022-07-19T18:05:37","slug":"new-zoo-attraction-in-spanish-lake-announces-many-details","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flovalleynews.com\/?p=24965","title":{"rendered":"New Zoo Attraction in Spanish Lake Announces Many Details"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Several Updates on Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park<\/h1>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2022 Targeting public opening for 2027<\/em><\/strong><\/h1>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2022 Development of WildCare Park estimated to cost $230 million<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2022 Building demolitions nearing completion and perimeter fence installation is underway<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2022 Animals to begin arriving in 2023 for pilot pasture<\/em><\/p>\n

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\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/strong>Today, (July 19)\u00a0 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<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are excited to share these WildCare Park updates,\u201d said Dwight Scott, Dana Brown President & CEO, Saint Louis Zoo. \u201cOur team has been extremely busy and we look forward to sharing more updates on WildCare Park as we move forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

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\u2019s century-old campus. Included with admission are Woodland Safari, Savanna Safari, the walking safari, the nature adventure area, and the zooseum.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe community has been incredibly supportive throughout the planning stages and we\u2019re excited to continue to work with them,\u201d said Dr. Mogerman. \u201cAs our plans further develop, we look forward to sharing more.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a target public opening slated for 2027, animals will begin arriving at WildCare Park in 2023 for a pilot pasture.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are a lot of complexities associated with building a large zoological park like this. The enormity and importance \u2013 size and scope \u2013 are incredible,\u201d said Jo-Elle Mogerman, Ph.D., Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park Director. \u201cUnderstandably, the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues \u2013 including long lead times of up to one year for key materials like steel, wood and fencing \u2013 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\u2019s sustainable for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Animals selected for WildCare Park are species that will thrive in Missouri\u2019s variable seasonal climate. \u201cWe 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,\u201d said Fischer. \u201cWe 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,\u201d said Fischer. \u201cWe hope to grow the number of species as time goes on to include birds, reptiles and amphibians.\u201d<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

Kent Family Conservation and Animal Science Center<\/h1>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n

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).<\/p>\n

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\u2019s zebra, addax, bongo, Przewalski\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Guest Experiences<\/h1>\n

\u201cAt WildCare Park, guests will be immersed in nature and animal pastures, providing unique experiences with every visit,\u201d said Dr. Mogerman. \u201cEvery visit will be a new adventure.\u201d<\/p>\n

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