The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium has unveiled a 20-year master plan to modernize and revitalize its Highland Park campus, focusing on animal well-being, innovative habitats, and expanded educational opportunities. The first phase includes a new entrance, updated animal facilities, and enhanced visitor experiences, with a commitment to conservation and sustainability.
Rendering courtesy of the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
Early animal habitat changes include a new giraffe barn, which will provide a large dayroom, year-round viewing, opportunities for public interactions and feedings, and ample hay storage for resident favorites Lewis and Sox.
In western Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium on Oct. 10 unveiled its ambitious two-decade master plan designed to revitalize the entire Highland Park campus with a focus on the well-being of its animal residents and the development of habitats and experiences.
The first phase of the plan taking place over the next five to seven years encompasses a new front entrance and accessible path, as well as a modern, expanded giraffe barn, a revitalized orangutan habitat and the zoo's Education Complex.
Guests can expect to see the first modifications to the park beginning early this winter, zoo officials announced on the park's website.
With the increasingly urgent fight against biodiversity loss and climate change, the Pittsburgh Zoo's mission — to connect people to wildlife and inspiring communities to conserve nature for future generations — is more critical than ever.
"The master plan blends our rich history with cutting-edge technology and innovation," Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium President and CEO Jeremy Goodman explained in a news release. "Our footprint will be revitalized and energized with dynamic habitats and updated facilities, with a major concentration on animal well-being."
Beginning at the entry gates, zoo visitors will see a temporary entrance path implemented in November. The new front gates, to be opened in early summer 2025, will include an updated entry process, with zoo members, visitors and groups all able to access the park in a much smoother fashion than before. Green spaces and restrooms also will be introduced to the area.
Guests Can Watch Animals Living in Bigger Spaces
Early animal habitat changes include a new giraffe barn, which will provide a large dayroom, year-round viewing, opportunities for public interactions and feedings, and ample hay storage for Lewis and Sox, two of the more popular giraffes living at the zoo.
Like all Pittsburgh Zoo habitats, the design of this new location will reflect the latest standards of animal well-being, in accordance with Association of Zoos & Aquariums standards, and support the potential for a larger herd at the park. An expanded giraffe yard, with a direct connection to the new barn, also will allow for a longer outdoor season.
The park redesign also includes an entirely new multi-level outdoor habitat and location for one of the zoo's most popular primate species, the Bornean orangutan. The new Island centerpiece, once completed at the park's highest point, will become a large habitat for orangutans, siamang and Malayan tapirs. This hillside location will encourage natural swinging behaviors for orangutans and siamang, while tapirs can enjoy the waterfalls and pools below.
In addition, the modern animal care facility will allow for off-season viewing during the winter and provide guests with wide views across the entire Pittsburgh Zoo.
"Innovative animal habitats will allow for ever-changing guest viewing opportunities and immersive environments that showcase the natural behaviors of our animals," Goodman noted.
Educational Spaces to Be Expanded
To reinforce its mission, the park's Education Complex also will be extensively updated to allow for greater educational opportunities.
For instance, the zoo's Conservation Education department served nearly 1 million guests in 2023: the expanded facility will allow the park's programs to reach an even wider audience. Revisions to the education center will include additional classrooms, larger housing for the zoo's growing Ambassador Animal collection, office space, and a full-time, licensed preschool.
As advancements in animal care have evolved over time, master plans have reshaped and improved the Pittsburgh Zoo throughout its history, resulting in better wildlife habitats and experiences for generations of visitors.
With the new plan in place, the upcoming years hold the promise of another amazing journey for the facility, park officials said in a press release, noting that the zoo's "groundbreaking vision aims to elevate our Zoo to unprecedented heights."
"This plan is not just about physical transformation but also about solidifying our role as a leader in global wildlife conservation and bolstering the Zoo's renowned stature," Goodman added.
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