IMMERSED IN AFRICA
Between now and next spring, the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium will open several exhibits in its new African Grasslands project, the zoo's largest construction endeavor to date. The main goal: to make visitors feel like they're in Africa. Buildings and landscaping have been camouflaged into the scenes to provide unobstructed views. Most of the exhibits west of the lagoon are expected to be open by this fall.
1. KOPJE
Pronunciation:Like "copy"
Animals:Klipspringer, rock hyrax, meerkat, white-throated monitor
What it is:A rocky habitat for animals with a winding trail and a wide look over the African Grasslands
Completion:Spring 2016
2. GIRAFFE & HOOFSTOCK HOLDING BUILDING
Size: 10,960 square feet
Features:Animal health equipment for on-site procedures, automatic food dispensers, keeper training areas visible to the public, private yard for impala and giraffe. Previous Giraffe Complex will be demolished to make room for the kopje.
Completion:Late June 2015
3. MIXED SPECIES HABITAT
Animals:Giraffe (about 9), impala, white rhino, ostrich, white stork and spur-winged goose
Features:Yard with multiple species intermingling, rhino holding building, temporary transport path for giraffe and hoofstock that cross the pedestrian walkway each morning
Completion:Fall 2015
4. GIRAFFE FEEDING STATION
Features:Visitors can feed giraffes lettuce at an eye-to-eye level
Completion:Fall 2015
5. ELEPHANT HOLDING BUILDING
Size: 29,000+ square feet
Features:Largest elephant quarters in North America, first year-round viewing of elephants at the zoo, crane accessibility, automatic feeders, on-site health equipment, separate bull yard
Open for touring:July 2015
6. ELEPHANT HABITAT
Animals:African elephants (3 to 7, hoped-for arrival in late 2015)
Features:Yard space all their own connected to the elephant holding building, includes a bridge across the railroad tracks into the mixed species habitat
7. ELEPHANT AMPHITHEATER
Features:Elephant training demonstrations, seating for spectators
Completion:Fall 2015
8. MIXED SPECIES HABITAT
Animals:African elephants, male impala, plains zebras
Features:Elephant wading pool, mud bath, sand pit and hay shelves with timed drops that encourage animals to move about the area
Completion:Fall 2015
9. AFRICAN LODGE
Features:Concessions serving American and African cuisine, restrooms, indoor/outdoor seating for 300, rental space for private functions and overnight camping, faux thatch roof, stone fireplace
On the menu:Beef braai sandwich (pulled beef with sweet and smoky sauce), boerewors sausage (spicy South African sausage), peri-peri chicken flatbread (breaded chicken bites with sauce, lettuce and relish), sweet potato fries; also serving American cuisine
Completion:Open now
10. KENEFICK TRAIN STATION
Features:Independent ticketing booth, African architecture, replaces previous train station in south end of zoo
Completion:Open now
11. AFRICAN PYGMY GOAT KRAAL
Pronunciation:Like "crawl"
Animals:African pygmy goats (about 6)
What is it:Enclosure where visitors can feed and brush the goats
Completion:Summer 2015
12. GARDEN OF THE SENSES
Features:Sensory garden with 250+ species of trees, perennials, herbs and flowers, includes birds, fountains and sculptures
13. MAMMOTH SCULPTURE Features:A life-size Columbian mammoth sculpture modeled after Archie, the state fossil, and sculpted by Hastings native Gary Staab
Completion:Spring 2016
14. LAGOON
Animals:White-faced whistling ducks and pink-backed pelicans, in addition to existing animals
Features:Existing lagoon will add new species of animals, a sea wall and a new south bridge; it has been drained, and Japanese koi have been temporarily relocated to the lemur lagoon near Expedition Madagascar
Completion:Summer 2015
15. CHEETAH HABITAT
Features:Unobstructed views with no fencing, heated rocks
Completion:Spring 2016
16. BONGO HABITAT
Features:Training demonstration area, site will require demolition of existing concessions and restroom near sea lions
Completion:Spring 2016
17. CHILDREN'S ROCK KOPJE TRAIL
Features:Rocky pathway for kids to explore, hands-on fossil replicas including Nebraska-native saber-toothed cats
Completion:Spring 2016
18. LION HABITAT
Features:Seating area for animal training, large rock for visitors to share a seat with a lion (separated by glass panes). Lions sit on heated rocky outcroppings, roaring out to the valley below. Lions will be at eye level with Skyfari riders.
Completion:Spring 2016
19. GAME MANAGEMENT HEADQUARTERS
Features:Tools used in wildlife management including animal shipping crates, a safari vehicle and an interactive grounded helicopter
Completion:Spring 2016
20. SAFARI TENT CAMP
Features:The zoo's first safari-style outdoor camping area, which includes rainproof tents with electricity and sinks, a campfire area and staff-led morning and evening hikes.
Completion:Spring 2016
21. SKYFARI STATION (existing)
22. SABLE ANTELOPE HABITAT
Features:Training demonstration area
Completion:Spring 2016
23. SPUR-THIGHED TORTOISE HABITAT
Features:Tortoises crawling around on land
Completion:Spring 2016
24. SEA LION (existing)
