Plans and Construction Photos

As the boom of African drums echo across a wooded landscape, the Houston Zoo  begins transforming a 6.5 acre site in the heart of the nation’s fourth largest city into an extraordinary adventure – The African Forest. 

 

 

 

From the outpost, guests will follow a winding path through a wooded canopy to a large building looking out over a colony of chimpanzees.  This is an observation study site where chimps are enticed to return frequently to search for food in termite mounds or from the limbs of fallen trees.  The building is designed to allow guests and the chimps to come right up to a glass wall and interact.  A wide ledge in front of the glass barrier gives guests a place to sit, relax, enjoy the wildlife and interact with the chimps and fellow visitors.

 

 

 

 

 Set to open in December 2010, this is the largest project we've ever undertaken, and we need the help of our entire community to make it a reality. More photos....