The Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium has launched its brand new US$73m (€65.4m, £49.9m) fully immersive outdoor African Grasslands exhibit.
Covering 113,312sq m (1,200,000sq ft), African Grasslands is the largest construction project in the US zoo’s history.
The project, which started development in Q3 2014, features mixed-species habitats, pools for animals and interactive demonstration areas, with the layout and grouping of animals intended to replicate an african habitat and ecosystem.
Zoo specialists CLR Design masterplanned the project, which makes extensive use of grasses, acacia-like trees, rock kopjes – granite boulders set in the open savanna – and minimal barriers to facilitate unobstructed views.
Some of the wildlife is new to the zoo, and a new elephant barn measuring more than half an acre, provides the largest herd room in North America.
The multi-million dollar exhibition also features interactive guest and keeper areas including a splash pool, elephant training area and giraffe feeding platform. A new themed train station is located near the African Lodge at the centre of the site.
A second phase of development will soon be underway, which focuses on homing a pride of lions among other wildlife within the next year.
The zoo’s next project to open will be its new Alaskan Adventure splash park, which has been developed at a cost of US$14m (€12.5m, £9.5m) and is set to open later this year. The new exhibit is Alaskan-themed, featuring dancing waters through sprays and spouts and more than 75 bronze sculptures created by Nebraska-born Matthew Placzek.
