ROYAL OAK (WWJ) — A new immersive experience dedicated to “the wonder of wildlife, the power of education and the joy of discovery” is coming to the Detroit Zoo.
Detroit Zoo officials on Tuesday announced the 7-acre Discovery Trails experience is expected to open in 2026 along the southwest corridor of the zoo, featuring habitats for new and returning species, including alpacas, burrowing owls, bush dogs and bamboo sharks.
The experience will also bring updated spaces for zoo favorites like giant anteaters, miniature donkeys and prairie dogs.
Officials say Discovery Trails will “bring guests closer to wildlife through up-close animal encounters.”
From a tank where guests can touch and feed stingrays to a barnyard where they can brush goats and feed chickens, Discovery Trails is “designed to spark curiosity and a deeper connection with the natural world.”
“Discovery Trails is a shining example of our mission coming to life,” said Dr. Hayley Murphy, executive director and CEO of the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS), per a press release. “These up-close encounters in Discovery Trails will foster empathy and understanding for animals, nature and the environment, creating meaningful connections and building curiosity and appreciation for the world around them.”
Officials say other Discovery Trails experiences will include:
• Diverse educational experiences made especially for children, such as an imaginative farmers market, vibrant garden grove and outdoor classroom, a senses trail and Little Sprouts area that will encourage our youngest guests to explore, move and have fun
• A thrilling, accessible Canopy Trail that will elevate guests 14 feet off the ground as they gain new perspectives and an appreciation of nature
• Sustainable, accessible features that ensure Discovery Trails is an inclusive space that protects our planet and is welcoming to all, and
• Numerous areas for guests to rest, refuel and reconnect with family and friends. These include sensory-friendly quiet spaces, allowing guests to step away from the pathways and play areas to have a moment to reset.
The project is expected to cost $20 million, with the majority of funding coming from gifts and grants, zoo officials said.
But at the same time, according to a Detroit Zoo press release, the project is expected to increase the zoo’s regional economic impact to $185 million annually, increase Zoo visitation and membership by 12% and 11%, respectively, and bring an additional 13,000 children via school field trips each year.
More information and future updates on the Discovery Trails project can be found on the Detroit Zoo website.