CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The cat’s out of the bag! African lions, Canada lynx, red pandas, and snow leopards are returning to Chicago!
Lincoln Park Zoo announced that its new, state-of-the-art habitat, Pepper Family Wildlife Center, is opening to the public on Thursday, Oct. 14.
Joining the zoo is a pride of lions, including one male and three females, two red pandas, two Canada lynx, and two snow leopards.
Lincoln Park Zoo members will have special access from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Oct. 1 and 2 and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 3 to meet the lions and explore Pepper Family Wildlife Center before it opens to the public.
“All of the new residents of Pepper Family Wildlife Center have arrived safely and are settling in well,” said Maureen Leahy, vice president of animal care and horticulture, in a statement. “As a science-based institution committed to advancing animal welfare, this renovation focuses on animal choices. From thermal comfort zones to trees for climbing, and even special enrichment features, the new space provides so many choices for the lions.”
Thanks to a $15 million gift from Roxelyn and the late Richard Pepper, the zoo broke ground on the $41 million renovation in December 2019. The major transformation of the lion habitat includes updates to the interior and exterior of the historic building, plus an expansive new habitat for the lions.
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The original lion house was constructed in 1912 and designated a Chicago Landmark in 2005. The Pepper Family Wildlife Center renovation team worked with the Commission on Chicago Landmarks to preserve, restore, and enhance the architecturally significant features of the historic building.
According to the zoo, design of the new lion habitat was informed by data collected over the last several years on lion behavior, space use, and preference, using the Lincoln Park Zoo-created behavior monitoring app, ZooMonitor. The savanna-style lion habitat spans the full northern side of the building and includes intricate rockwork to increase vertical complexity and environmental choices for the lions while providing embedded heating and cooling elements for a climate controlled habitat.
Guests will have immersive viewing opportunities from both inside and outside Pepper Family Wildlife Center. A unique indoor design element known as the Lion Loop, generously funded by the Women’s Board of Lincoln Park Zoo, enables guests to view the exhibit from the center of the habitat. The new habitat also includes a demonstration training wall where guests can view the lions participating in their own healthcare.
The $41 million renovation of the building is the final phase of The Pride of Chicago, a $135 million capital campaign that began in 2012.
To learn more about Lincoln Park Zoo, visit lpzoo.org.
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