The St. Louis Zoo announced updates Tuesday on the progress of its WildCare Park, a project being built in north St. Louis County that focuses on wildlife, conservation and public experience.
The Zoo said the park will cost $230 million, with money coming in from a variety of sources including philanthropy and some of the Zoo’s cash reserves. At 425 acres, it will host a variety of animals — some that are at the zoo, and some that will be new to the region. The animals will start arriving at the WildCare Park in 2023, and its opening to the public is slated for 2027.
Jo-Elle Mogerman, Director of the WildCare Park, told KMOX that the community has been very receptive to the new park.
"This is the warmest community that I have experienced. Our neighbors are so excited to have us as out in North County. And we have just had a really warm reception all the way around," Mogerman said. "The St. Louis Zoo is amazing. And St. Louis Zoo WildCare Park will also be amazing once we are open."
Dwight Scott, the Dana Brown President and CEO, said he’s excited to be announcing the updates.
“Our team has been extremely busy and we look forward to sharing more updates on WildCare Park as we move forward,” Scott said.
The timeline may seem long, and the cost may seem high — but Zoo officials say things like supply chain issues have delayed things. Plus, they say, they want to make sure they do it right so it can be around for many generations in the future.
The animals that the Zoo is welcoming into the park are species that will be able to thrive in Missouri’s climate. The initial list includes 18 species, like the scimitar-horned oryx, waterbuck, Nile lechwe, Somali wild ass, Bactrian camel, white rhino, and more familiar things like giraffes and zebras.
When people visit the WildCare Park, they’ll have a variety of experiences to choose from, including a woodland or Savanna safari, a “zooseum,” or a nature adventure area — that’s 60 acres of land specifically geared toward families and children that will feature lots of Missouri flora and fauna. Also available to guests: “Glamping” trips, giraffe feeding, and a full-service restaurant.
You can read more about WildCare Park here.