Sacramento Zoo is celebrating its 90th anniversary with the development of a $75 million Master Plan that will see the total transformation of the zoo’s 14-acre site.
A first draft of the plan, being developed in partnership with award-winning zoo architects, CLR Design, Inc., will be presented to the City of Sacramento in a few months’ time.
A brand new Biodiversity Centre will mark the first phase of the redevelopment plan that is expected to take around 15-20 years to complete.
The Biodiversity Centre will unveil the secret worlds of reptiles and amphibians as well as other animal groups, including fish, invertebrates and perhaps even the tiniest of mammals and birds.
With a focus on animal welfare and inspiring guest experiences, the Master Plan centres around the concept of ‘transparency’. The intention is to provide visitors with both enthralling state-of-the-art exhibits as well as an unparalleled, behind-the-scenes look at how animal care and veterinary professionals work with the animals every day.
The intention is to inspire a deeper engagement with the zoo and species conservation.
In order to deliver the best possible outcome, the zoo will be seeking input from the local community, donors, visitors and supporters.
Affectionately known as ‘the little zoo in the park’, Sacramento Zoo began life in 1927 as the William Land Park Zoo. Back then, the zoo encompassed just over 4 acres and was home to a collection of 40 animals including monkeys, raccoons, birds, deer and various other small animals.
Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 1975, new developments have included the the Tall Wonders of Africa giraffe habitat which opened in 2010 and the multi-species exhibit, Small Wonders of Africa, that opened to wide acclaim in 2014.
Its mission is to ‘inspire appreciation, understanding and respect for all living things through stimulating education, wholesome recreation and innovative species management by working with the community and reaching out beyond its physical boundaries’.
Images courtesy Sacramento Zoo/CLR Design Inc.
