The Denver Zoo is expanding its conservation efforts to Colorado’s Weld County with a new 570-acre wildlife preserve.
The Lembke Family Preserve, donated by the Lembke family, will give the 84-acre zoo the space it needs to focus on its conservation work. The facility will not be open to the public.
“The Lembke Family Preserve represents the start of a new era for Denver Zoo and will dramatically expand our capabilities for our animals and Colorado wildlife as we build it out in the coming years,” said Bert Vescolani, president and CEO of Denver Zoo.
Vescolani added: “We are deeply grateful to the Lembke family for their generosity and mutual understanding that saving wildlife for future generations requires a dedicated community of donors, members, partners and neighbors.”
The project will be completed in two phases, according to a press release (via the Denver Post). Construction has started on the first phase, which will expand the zoo’s current conservation breeding programmes and provide more space for animal families.
The second phase will involve transforming the facility into a conservation centre to breed and reintroduce species that are threatened or endangered in Colorado and beyond.
New wildlife preserve in Colorado
“Denver Zoo has been part of our family tradition since the late 1950s,” said Bob Lembke. “With the stewardship provided to endangered species by the zoo through the preserve, we hope that the zoo can be part of our family for generations.”
Founded in 1896, the Denver Zoo is the most-visited cultural destination in Colorado, welcoming more than 2 million visitors from across the globe every year. It houses nearly 4,000 animals from 600 species.
“This is a zoo with 125 years of history. It’s a place that has been innovative and has developed unique exhibits and approaches to conservation and sustainability work,” Vescolani told blooloop in a recent interview.
