In 2025, zoos and aquariums worldwide are launching ambitious new projects in response to the growing global emphasis on conservation, education, and immersive experiences. These initiatives range from innovative habitats that enhance animal welfare to advanced, interactive exhibits meant to engage visitors in unprecedented ways.
By prioritising sustainability and innovation, these new attractions aim to do more than showcase wildlife; they seek to inspire the conservationists of the future. From a multi-million-dollar expansion of a renowned aquarium to new habitats designed with animal enrichment as a priority, 2025 promises to be a pivotal year for the industry.
Join us as we take a closer look at the most anticipated openings and expansions in zoos and aquariums, exploring how these institutions are shaping the future of animal care, visitor engagement, and environmental stewardship.
New zoo and aquarium projects to look forward to in 2025
Elephants at Monarto Safari Park, South Australia
Monarto Safari Park has expanded its facilities and is welcoming a new elephant herd in 2025.
Asian elephant Burma arrived at the zoo from Auckland Zoo in December and was then joined by Permai, who travelled from Perth Zoo in late January.
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The zoo will accommodate a herd of five Asian elephants at the new 12-hectare habitat at Monarto Safari Park, with the remaining three elephants set to arrive later this year. The herd is being brought together as part of the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia’s (ZAA) regional breeding and advocacy programme for Asian elephants.
In addition, Monarto Safari Resort, a new luxury hotel at Monarto Safari Park, will open on 28 May 2025.
Located within an hour’s drive of Adelaide, Monarto Safari Resort provides 78 guest rooms and 20 luxury tents in the safari lodge, a world-class spa, two swimming pools, and conference, function and restaurant spaces.
Guests can view native and exotic animals within metres of the new resort and experience some of the world’s most iconic endangered species, like southern white rhinoceros, cheetah, hippopotamus, zebra and giraffes.
The new resort also includes unique access to the Wild Africa precinct of Monarto Safari Park, including private tours, bespoke experiences on custom-made safari vehicles, and sundowner drinks and canapés while viewing animals as they explore the open plains.
Leopard Forest at Nashville Zoo, Tennessee, US
Leopard Forest at Nashville Zoo is scheduled to open in spring 2025. It will feature four distinct habitats showcasing species, including Amur leopards, colobus monkeys, De Brazza’s monkeys, klipspringers, and rock hyraxes.
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The Amur leopard is native to the mountainous forests of Eastern Russia and Northern China. It is critically endangered and one of the most threatened cat species globally. Roza, the zoo’s rare melanistic Amur leopard, will be one of three leopards calling the new habitat home.
Leopard Forest is part of the zoo’s ongoing “Grow Wild” initiative to expand animal habitats and enhance visitor experiences. This development reflects the zoo’s commitment to conservation and education, providing guests with immersive encounters with diverse species.
Mote Science Education Aquarium, Sarasota, Florida, US
For the past few years, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium has been building the Mote Mote Science Education Aquarium Aquarium (Mote SEA), a new facility that promises to revolutionise marine science education and conservation.
Mote SEA will serve as a regional hub for expanding marine science and technology education and inspiration to every K-12 student in the community. Creating Mote SEA in its new home at Nathan Benderson Park will also allow Mote to transform its primary campus on City Island into an enhanced International Marine Science, Technology & Innovation Park.
The Science Education Aquarium is not just another aquarium. “Science is the focus,” said Dr Michael P. Crosby, president & CEO of Mote, speaking to blooloop in August 2024.
“The science will amaze you from the second you walk into the building. From the three STEM teaching labs on the first floor to every animal habitat throughout Mote SEA, guests will be connected to the ocean and to Mote’s innovative research contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of our oceans.”
The overarching goal is enhancing ocean literacy and inspiring future generations through immersive, science-based experiences.
AOA, a leading owner’s rep, project management, immersive experience design and production company, has provided project management, pre-development management, program management, construction management, cost estimation, and scheduling support for this project. The team also worked on the concept architecture and exhibit concept design, exhibit show set design, and graphic and signage design.
Elephant Valley at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, California, US
Elephant Valley is the largest project in the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s 50-year history.
The Denny Sanford Elephant Valley transforms the Safari Park’s elephant area into a vibrant savanna for exploration. It offers guests of all ages a unique chance to connect with elephants, fostering empathy, understanding, and appreciation for the species while igniting a passion for wildlife.
Guests will be surrounded by elephants on all sides, including from an overhead walkway, offering a view of the herd as it passes. They will discover elephants’ vital role as ecosystem engineers and also explore their complex social dynamics.
At the heart of the guest experience in Elephant Valley stands a two-storey lodge inspired by popular safari destinations throughout Africa. This communal space provides opportunities to learn from educators about the remarkable wildlife in the area while guests can observe elephants splashing in expansive watering holes.
Expert horticulturists and arborists have carefully curated the vibrant plant life in Elephant Valley to truly capture the sights, sounds, and scents of the African grasslands. The extensive new habitat will enhance the elephants’ experiences by incorporating innovative features that adapt to seasonal changes, mimicking the African savanna year-round.
Rainforest Wild Asia at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Singapore
Rainforest Wild Asia is the first phase of Rainforest Wild, Singapore’s fifth wildlife park, managed by Mandai Wildlife Group. It opened on 12 March 2025 and will immerse guests in a 13-hectare Asian rainforest where they can choose their level of adventure, discovering wildlife across 10 zones.
“It will be a bit more of an adventure park,” said Mike Barclay, CEO of Mandai Wildlife Group, speaking to blooloop in October 2023.
“You will have to go and look for the megafauna of the rainforest. There will be different grades of paths from which to explore the rainforest at different heights. Some are up in the treetop, some are on the ground, and some are underground, in a cave system modelled after a cave system in Malaysia.”
The park will include flexible habitats featuring key Southeast Asia species. It will be home to 36 species, including the threatened François’ langur and the Philippine spotted deer.
The park’s Wild Cavern Adventure invites visitors to participate in a simulated cave expedition where they abseil in the dark, squeeze through tight spaces, navigate boulder fields, and explore narrow tunnels. Rainforest Wild Asia will also offer Singapore’s first and only restaurant in a cave setting.
Pico Play, a global leader in planning, designing, developing and constructing world-class themed attractions, was one of the teams that helped bring this new attraction to life.
Also coming to the destination this year is a new eco-friendly hotel called Mandai Rainforest Resort.
Virginia R. Bartak Red Panda Passage at Zoo Boise, Idaho, US
Zoo Boise will open its new red panda habitat in May 2025.
The Virginia R. Bartak Red Panda Passage will feature outdoor habitats, indoor day rooms, and an overhead walkway letting inhabitants roam between different areas. The pandas are currently in a temporary habitat built in 2004.
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The zoo’s red pandas will have more space for cubs and more climbing opportunities as part of the move. Their new home will mimic a lush Asian forest with various plants, an overhead tree canopy, and tall climbing structures. The new habitat will also make it easier for the zoo to maintain the right temperature for the red pandas.
From the guest perspective, the upgrade includes a window that allows visitors to see into the day room, and an accessible pathway.
This project is the first phase of Zoo Boise’s “Heart of the Zoo” campaign, which also includes creating a new gift shop and a separate zoo exit. There will be future upgrades to aging exhibits and facilities, as well as the construction of a new education campus.
Heart of Africa at Chester Zoo, UK
Heart of Africa, Chester Zoo’s latest immersive experience, seeks to bring the essence of the savannah to life. Set to open in April 2025, it will be home to giraffes, zebras, ostriches, and numerous other iconic species cohabiting within a single habitat.
Visitors can discover hidden gems as they wander through a secluded savannah, marvel at vibrant art inspired by African culture, admire plants that showcase the natural beauty of East and Central Africa, and enjoy panoramic views.
Heart of Africa is not merely about witnessing wildlife but also about preserving it. Guests will learn how anti-poaching teams are protecting wildlife, rangers are restoring habitats, and conservationists are collaborating with local communities to safeguard Africa’s remarkable plant species.
Later in the year, The Reserve at Chester Zoo, its new exclusive safari-style luxury lodge accommodation, will also open.
The zoo will offer guest packages featuring exclusive after-hours access to the Heart of Africa, including unforgettable experiences such as feeding giraffes from a custom platform and receiving guided insights from expert keepers.
Congo Falls at San Antonio Zoo, Texas, US
San Antonio Zoo will open Congo Falls, its new habitat for gorillas, in summer 2025.
The 2-acre habitat will feature a revolutionary 60-foot gorilla tower that connects to the new event centre and gives the gorillas a skyline view of San Antonio.
“Congo Falls is set to redefine the landscape of gorilla habitats in the United States with its unparalleled scale and innovation,” said Tim Morrow, president and CEO of San Antonio Zoo.
“Guests will be treated to numerous vantage points for observing the gorillas, while the expansive roaming areas and interactive browsing garden will create a truly immersive experience for both visitors and animals – begging the question, who is watching who.”
The habitat will allow the zoo to house gorillas for the first time in over 30 years. When Congo Falls opens, the zoo will introduce eight Western lowland gorillas to the community.
The new gorilla habitat is part of the zoo’s 20-year plan, which involves investing up to $250 million in animal habitats.
Living Seas at Birch Aquarium, California, US
Birch Aquarium in San Diego is transforming its Hall of Fishes into a new exhibit called Living Seas, scheduled to open in May 2025.
The new attraction will showcase the marvels of our ocean planet, offering expansive views into diverse habitats, complemented by cutting-edge digital signage and projections that will fully immerse visitors in the dynamic coastline.
Birch Aquarium serves as the public outreach centre for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. Part of the aquarium’s goal for Living Seas is to encourage visitors to become lifelong guardians of the planet, fostering a love for nature, a connection to place, and a sense of oceanic optimism.
The Pacific Northwest area will be home to an immersive Giant Pacific Octopus habitat as well as jellyfish and captivating jellies. Meanwhile, the California Coastal habitats will house the aquarium’s signature Giant Kelp Forest and a reimagined Scripps Pier experience that provides an engaging look at cutting-edge research from Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Guests can also discover the Tropical Pacific, with corals, reefs and a lush mangrove habitat.
The project team includes Roto, a leading planning & design-build firm.
ZooTown at London Zoo, UK
London Zoo is introducing an immersive role play experience for curious kids aged 3-8, transforming its former reptile house.
ZooTown will invite young guests to step into the shoes of zookeepers, conservationists, scientists, vets, posties, presenters and more, as they learn about the many different roles that help protect wildlife worldwide.
During their visits, they can fly around the world to track animals in the Field Camp, carry out vital health checks in the Vet Hospital, deliver the zoo mail, get their hands dirty in the Keeper Kitchen, and more.
Chief operating officer Kathryn England says: “We are always driving to create learning opportunities for people of all ages, so a role play space that would be fun for children while offering the chance to learn new skills felt like a great fit.
“We’ll be able to show children – and their grown-ups – just how many ways there are to impact conservation by introducing them to the range of roles that contribute to running ZooTown – a role play version of ZSL.”
Cape Vulture Aviary at Los Angeles Zoo, California, US
The Los Angeles Zoo opened its new Cape vulture exhibit earlier this year, allowing visitors to see the species in a habitat designed to replicate their natural range.
“This was an unused exhibit that has been fully renovated to meet the needs of this species. It gives guests an up-close look at this African vulture and how they live and behave,” said Denise Verret, chief executive officer and zoo director at the Los Angeles Zoo.
“The new space will undoubtedly help Angelenos continue to foster a deeper connection to wildlife and an appreciation for a species that plays a vital role in the environment.”
The zoo has cared for Cape vultures since 1985, and now the new space allows visitors to get a closer look at their roosting, nesting, and social interactions.
Tropical Forests at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Illinois, US
Brookfield Zoo Chicago will launch its new $66 million Tropical Forests habitat in 2025.
The 3-acre exhibit will feature dynamic environments, allowing the resident animals to choose how they use their space. The habitat will also contain a gorilla conservation centre with a state-of-the-art learning space for the public.
Speaking to blooloop in 2023, zoo director Dr Michael Adkesson said:
“We built our Tropic World habitat in the 1980s. It was one of the original indoor rainforest experiences at a zoo and has been home to our primates for the last 40 years. This is an expansion to get these animals outdoors into more naturalistic environments. It’s about two acres of land that we’re turning back over to these animals in incredibly naturalistic and rich stimulating outdoor environments.
“The expansion will get our guests up close, with just a pane of glass between them. So, they will really be able to experience these incredible animals in a way that they’ve not seen them before.”
Last year, Brookfield Zoo and its parent organisation, the Chicago Zoological Society, rebranded as Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Ahead of its centennial in 2034, Brookfield Zoo Chicago is investing in new animal habitats, renovated facilities and the visitor experience. The zoo aims to become an immersive, living classroom.
Expansion continues at Florida Aquarium, Florida, US
The second phase of Florida Aquarium’s $45 million expansion, a redesigned second floor mezzanine featuring an expansive tide pool touch experience, will open this year.
The project triples the size of the current touch exhibit and includes a new tide pool water feature. It will feature an expansive touch tank, a new central staircase, and a state-of-the-art Life Support System (LSS) to create an immersive and educational experience for visitors of all ages.
This follows the opening of the interactive MORPH’D gallery in 2023, featuring animals that have adapted over time to survive. This ground-breaking experience connects visitors to the fascinating and universal process of adaptation.
Future phases include new exhibits for puffins, California sea lions, and African penguins. It’s the most significant expansion in the Aquarium’s 30-year history.
Big Cats of Arizona at Phoenix Zoo, Arizona, US
Phoenix Zoo will open Big Cats of Arizona: A Bridge to Arizona Wilderness in April 2025.
The new habitat will include multiple viewing angles and windows for more opportunities for guests to observe the big cats, as well as the zoo’s first-ever “catwalk,” where visitors can walk directly below them as they move overhead.
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Over $3.8 million was raised to create a spacious habitat for mountain lions and jaguars. As a result, the zoo’s two jaguars will enjoy more than double their current living area, while the mountain lion sisters, rescued as abandoned orphans from South Dakota, will have around five times more space than in their existing home.
The habitats will include educational messages explaining the historical native ranges of the species and will feature a water element for behavioural enrichment. Additionally, this project will comprise a central, multi-purpose holding building that provides flexibility for keepers while ensuring high-quality animal care.
Forests and Jungles of the World at Fort Worth Zoo, Texas, US
Fort Worth Zoo plans to unveil its Forests & Jungles section in spring 2025 as part of its A Wilder Vision campaign.
The concluding phase of A Wilder Vision, Forests & Jungles of the World, will revamp the zoo’s centre, encouraging visitors to stroll along tree-shaded paths while encountering wildlife from some of the planet’s most vibrant forests and jungles.
A new resident at the zoo, the okapi, will be moving in once the new space is prepared. The zoo has long contributed to successful conservation projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including those focused on the okapi.
The African bongo herd at the zoo will also be taking up residence in this new habitat. The Fort Worth Zoo leads the International Bongo Foundation and the bongo breeding programme among North American zoos, working both onsite in the animal’s native country of Kenya and in managed collections across the United States. The bongo breeding programme has been highly successful.
The Sumatran orangutans will also be moving into the Forests & Jungles of the World section from their World of Primates habitat. Their new home will include a specially designed treetop environment. The zoo aims to create new opportunities for successfully breeding these critically endangered primates.
More projects to watch for 2026 and beyond
Many more exciting new zoo and aquarium projects are planned for 2026 and beyond, at leading organisations worldwide.
In Germany, Zoo Frankfurt is initiating an extensive redevelopment project beginning this year and dan pearlman, a leading brand and experience architecture group, has worked on the masterplan. This redesigns the zoo into biomes, including savannas and rainforests, and features a clear separation between visitor and operational areas.
Elevated walkways across halls and aviaries will allow direct animal contact. Other plan highlights include a glass tunnel under the hippo pool. The zoo will also have playgrounds, places to sit, and culinary options to meet the needs of its 800,000 yearly visitors.
In Chile, dan pearlman is also behind the masterplan for Buin Zoo, enabling the attraction to undergo a pivotal transformation. The firm has developed a masterplan that will turn the traditional zoo into a biopark by establishing overarching ecosystems across the site.
Vienna Zoo (Tiergarten Schönbrunn) is set to commence construction of the new Schönbrunn Conservation Aquarium in 2025, with an expected opening date of 2028. The largest aquarium of its kind in Austria, it will showcase endangered habitats and raise awareness for their protection. It will include a large shark tank and Europe’s largest jellyfish tank.
Elsewhere, Tokyo Sea Life Park is planning a comprehensive renewal project to address the aging infrastructure of its facilities. The project intends to introduce new exhibition areas, interactive experiences, and educational elements to enhance visitor engagement.
New UK and US zoo and aquarium projects
In the UK, Colchester Zoo unveils plans for multimillion-pound lion habitat. This will include indoor and outdoor spaces, as well as new visitor experiences. Colchester Zoo became a charitable trust in January 2025. St Andrews Aquarium in Scotland has also unveiled the most significant development and growth plans in its twenty-five-year history.
In the US, Louisville Zoo is developing Kentucky Trails, a $30 million project set to open in 2026. This will include native Kentucky wildlife like bison, elk, turkeys and cranes. Meanwhile, New York’s Seneca Park Zoo is set to undergo a $100 million expansion. It will add a tropics exhibit and a main entry building.
Brevard Zoo in Florida is building a new aquarium and conservation centre at Port Canaveral. The Bowen Aquarium will be the East Coast Zoological Foundation’s second campus, and the sister campus to Brevard Zoo.
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in Florida will also unveil the new Manatee River habitat as part of its ‘Rezoovenation’ project.
