Phoenix Zoo Set to Open Exciting Expansion:
Predator Passage, Along the Zoo’s Africa Trail, Coming November 20th
The Arizona Center for Nature Conservation (ACNC)/Phoenix Zoo is thrilled to announce its newest expansion, Predator Passage, within the Zoo’s Africa Trail. More than two years in the making, and the Zoo’s largest capital campaign project to date at $8.5 million, this six-acre expansion and remarkable addition promises an unforgettable experience for guests as they step into the heart of Africa and encounter its most fascinating and awe-inspiring predators.
Predator Passage at the Phoenix Zoo will be home to a diverse array of majestic and captivating creatures including female African lions who will join our current resident male lion, Boboo, we are anxiously awaiting hyenas, an enchanting leopard and charismatic red river hogs. The Zoo’s Rüppell’s griffon vultures have already moved into their new habitat at Predator Passage and are adjusting well. The Zoo’s fennec fox habitat received a facelift as well. And that's not all – Predator Passage is set to welcome meerkats in the near future, adding even more excitement to this newly expanded area of the Africa Trail.
To mark this exciting milestone, the Phoenix Zoo has planned a series of special events:
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Grand Opening & Member Celebration: November 20 & 21 & 22
Embark on a journey through Africa’s wilderness right here in Arizona starting Monday, November 20! Guests are all welcome to wind their way through this impressive experience. Phoenix Zoo members will enjoy member-only exclusive activities including coloring stations, book readings, interactive activities, a special member gift and more! Other activities will be scattered throughout the Zoo for everyone to enjoy including an African musical instrument station hosted by the MIM, drum circle workshops and more!
Guests can look forward to an unforgettable adventure while learning about these magnificent creatures and the vital role they play in the ecosystems they call home. Predator Passage is designed to provide educational opportunities for all ages while promoting conservation and the preservation of these incredible species.
Predator Passage is included with general admission to the Phoenix Zoo, allowing all guests seeking to connect with wildlife, and to experience the beauty of Africa's predators up close.
Meet the New Residents:
Lionesses Kamara and Zuri: These majestic big cats, known for their strength and beauty, will soon establish their pride with Boboo, the Zoo’s existing male lion in Predator Passage. Guests can witness the grace and power of these lions up close and gain a deeper appreciation for their role as apex predators. Kamara and Zuri will be joining us from Pueblo Zoo in Colorado. The five-year-old sisters were born in 2017 and will be joining our male resident, Boboo, in their new home on the Africa Trail.
Tamu & Taziki, spotted hyenas: With their unique vocalizations and social behaviors, hyenas are fascinating animals to observe. Predator Passage will provide a comfortable and engaging environment for these intelligent scavengers to thrive. This mother-daughter duo is coming from Busch Gardens, Tampa, Florida.
Jasper, Amur leopard: The Amur leopard is one of the world's most endangered big cats. Known for their stunning spotted coats, these leopards are a symbol of the importance of protecting and preserving threatened species. Two-year-old Jasper will join us from the Greenville Zoo in South Carolina. Amur leopards are a cooperatively managed population in AZA zoos like Phoenix, and Jasper and the Amur leopard subspecies serve as an ambassador to the closely related African leopard.
Olive & Pugsley, red river hogs: Known for their striking appearance with distinctive facial markings and impressive tusks, red river hogs are a delightful addition to Predator Passage, offering guests a chance to learn about a lesser-known species from the African continent. Both Pugsley, a five-year-old male, and Olive, a nine-year-old female, are coming from the Kansas City Zoo.
Meerkats (Coming Soon): The Phoenix Zoo has plans to introduce a lively group of meerkats to Predator Passage in the near future. These charismatic and highly social animals are sure to be a crowd favorite. We are initially obtaining a group of three brothers (from separate litters) approximately eight years old from the Capron Park Zoo in Massachusetts and hope to add females to the group soon after the males’ arrival.
"We are thrilled to welcome these incredible animals to the Phoenix Zoo and Predator Passage,” says Phoenix Zoo President and CEO, Bert Castro. “Our goal is to create an immersive experience for our guests, allowing them to connect with these species on a personal level and become inspired and motivated to care for them and their wild counterparts. This new expansion features a multitude of viewing areas including a 20-foot-tall tower, giving a birds-eye view into the lion and hyena habitats. The colorful décor of African-themed graphics and large sunshade sails sets this area apart with the stunning red rock buttes of Papago Park in the background."
Join us in celebrating the grand opening of Predator Passage at the Phoenix Zoo and experience the wild wonders of Africa right here in Phoenix.
For more information about Predator Passage and its residents, please visit https://www.phoenixzoo.org/predator-passage/.
About the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation
The Arizona Center for Nature Conservation operates the Phoenix Zoo. The ACNC advances the stewardship and conservation of animals and their habitats while providing experiences that inspire people and motivate them to care for the natural world.
The Phoenix Zoo is the only zoo in the Valley accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is a non-profit zoological park, serving 1.4 million guests annually. The Zoo is home to more than 3,000 animals, many of which are endangered and threatened species. For information on upcoming events, exhibits and activities at the Phoenix Zoo, visit www.phoenixzoo.org.
