banner - New Zoo Walkway Opens, starting at elephant exhibit area, heading towards the outpost restaurant

New Zoo Walkway Opens: Lions, Camels, Zebras Accessible Again

CONTACT: Kyle Shepherd
Direct: 502-238-5331  |  Media Only: 502-744-5639
kyle.shepherd@louisvilleky.gov

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The Louisville Zoo is excited to announce that the new guest walkway near camel, lion, zebra and elephants is now open making these animal ambassadors once again accessible to Zoo guests. The walkway had been closed to the public due to the elephant exhibit expansion and renovations. Some construction in that area will continue, so please pardon our dust.

Visitors will be walking on a newly landscaped and wider walkway in what was formerly the Bongo yard. Bongos were moved to the former Gazelle exhibit. The new walkway gives Zoo guests a familiar yet slightly different perspective of the lions, camels, zebras and elephants.

Because of continuing construction, accommodations for the safety and comfort of the animals will necessitate some limited viewing options for zebras and elephants.

Though construction isn’t fully complete, visitors will see some exciting new developments that are part of the elephant exhibit expansion set to debut in spring 2016. The renovation includes indoor facilities for residents Mikki and Punch, an expanded outdoor yard and an interactive training wall from which keepers will provide enrichment activities for the elephants and interact with guests.

The popular “Ely” elephant statue is back on exhibit with new benches and a new shade structure and new landscaping  lines the entire path to Woolly monkey exhibit. Guests will have a more direct path to the Zoo’s African Outpost restaurant. Just outside the Outpost, visitors will notice more construction near the zebra yard where the Zoo plans to install a sculpture garden.

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The Louisville Zoo, a nonprofit organization and state zoo of Kentucky, is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

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