(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo is preparing to welcome back lions this fall with a $41 million revamp of the institution’s habitat for big cats.
The new Pepper Family Wildlife Center will feature a completely restored interior of the century-old Lion House, which is a city landmark. The outdoor space for the cats will nearly double, and a “lion loop” feature will immerse guests in the center of the lion’s den, Maureen Leahy, vice president of animal care and horticulture, said.
Lincoln Park Zoo’s previous lions settled elsewhere when the expansion got underway in late 2019. The new habitat will house a male lion and three females; there will also be snow leopards, red pandas and a Canadian lynx.
Doing construction during the pandemic allowed Lincoln Park Zoo to make some changes –- such as reducing touch points in bathrooms — that will make the facility more COVID-safe, Leahy said.
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