The North Carolina Zoo in Randolph County has broken ground on its new 10-acre Asia continent, which is expected to open in 2026.
The zoo’s first major expansion project since its opening in 1994 will be home to animals including tigers, Komodo dragons, Visayan warty pigs and Asian small-clawed otters.
Additional animals to reside in the Asia continent include red-crowned cranes, wrinkled hornbills, king cobras, white-cheeked gibbons, Chinese giant salamanders and more.
Tigers, king cobras and Komodo dragons
The area will also include a gift shop, a 300-seat indoor café overlooking the tiger habitat, and an overhead tiger walk. It is being funded through a combination of state grants and private donors.
The North Carolina Zoo is located on 2,600 acres of land in Randolph County. With 500 developed acres, it is the world’s largest natural habitat zoo. More than 1,700 animals and 52,000 plants live at the zoo.
In July, the North Carolina Zoo announced a record-breaking 1 million visitors in the year ending 30 June 2022. “We’re thrilled to welcome so many guests from North Carolina and around the world,” said zoo director Pat Simmons.
“We are constantly striving to build upon our success through growing our programs and making our guest experience better than ever.”
Elsewhere, the Florida Aquarium is beginning a $40 million expansion in January 2023. The project includes an African penguin habitat and an outdoor exhibit for California sea lions.
Blooloop, in association with Zoo Advisors, has announced that the first Blooloop 50 Zoo & Aquarium Influencer List is now open for nominations.
Images: North Carolina Zoo
