Leading destination design and planning company, PGAV Destinations, is celebrating the opening of Tulsa Zoo’s newest attraction – Lost Kingdom.
The all-new region has been inspired by the settings of ancient Asian cultures such as Angkor-Wat. It is home to ‘ambassadors’ of many Asian species, including Malayan tigers, snow leopards, Chinese alligators, siamangs, binturongs, and Komodo dragons.
“This important exhibit allows the Zoo to replace the more than 50-year-old tiger and snow leopard exhibits,” said Terrie Correll, President and CEO of Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc. (TZMI). “One of the challenges we initially had with Lost Kingdom was helping our community to envision major exhibit habitats on the scale we’ve been talking about; now with the opening, our guests can experience large-scale immersive exhibits. They’ll have a visual in mind as we talk about future exhibits.”
State-of-the-art facilities for behavioural enrichment
Two new-to-the-zoo species, red pandas and binturongs, are now featured in the seasonal Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation Red Panda/Binturong Exhibit and Aviary, while the Hille Foundation Tiger Bridge allows an exciting experience with Malayan Tigers as they walk above zoo visitors.
Lost Kingdom features many large, naturalistic, interactive habitats and spaces including the Helmerich Tiger exhibit, the Hardesty Snow Leopard Habitat, the Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation Siamang Habitat, and the H.A. and Mary K. Chapman Komodo Dragon exhibit.
“Lost Kingdom has been an incredible opportunity to create one of the most immersive, exciting zoo environments for both animals and guests that PGAV has ever designed,” said John Kemper, PGAV Vice President, and design and master planning team lead on Lost Kingdom. “Our innovative and passionate team has designed state-of-the-art facilities for behavioural enrichment in natural settings, including the ability for animals to make choices in their daily lives.”
Two new training areas give Tulsa zoo guests the opportunity to observe zoo keepers interact with these rare animals and demonstrate natural behaviours: the Suzanne and Jim Kneale Family Foundation Tiger Dayroom and Demonstration Area, and the Barbara and Lynn Owens Snow Leopard Dayroom and Demonstration Area. Lost Kingdom also features two great dining options: The Ann and Jack Graves Komodo Canteen and the George Kaiser Family Foundation Rajan’s, an upscale pizza restaurant with up-close views of the Malayan tigers.
Year-round immersive viewing opportunities of tigers, snow leopards, komodo dragons and more
“Lost Kingdom was designed to provide immersive, year-round viewing opportunities where zoo guests can feel like they have walked into a forgotten land,” added TZMI Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Engagement, Lindsay Hutchison. “Exploring among the ruins teeming with wildlife, zoo visitors will feel a mixture of curiosity and engagement; curiosity about the animals they are viewing and a desire to engage in conservation.”
PGAV Destinations is a global leader in the planning and design of unique destinations. Now entering its sixth decade, the practice has evolved to become one of the foremost destination-consulting partners, skilled at developing growth-oriented master plans and translating those plans into successful projects. PGAV Destinations is renowned for its integrated approach to destination planning.
Key clients include industry leaders such as Delaware North Companies, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, the Biltmore Companies, Bass Pro Shops, Ameristar Casinos, Universal Studios, The Gettysburg Foundation, the Saint Louis Zoo, and many others.
Recent assignments include planning and design at many of the world’s “must see” destinations, including the Grand Canyon, Biltmore Estate, Space Shuttle Atlantis, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, the Georgia Aquarium, the Hoover Dam, and SeaWorld Adventure Parks.