The cats are back! 5 things about Fort Worth Zoo’s new Predators of Asia & Africa exhibit
The Fort Worth Zoo opened its Predators of Asia & Africa exhibit Thursday to excited crowds who came to welcome back the lions, tigers, hyenas and more.
Some of the zoo’s big cats and canines temporarily left the zoo in fall 2020 as construction on their habitat began. Now, two and a half years later, they’re all back with the lions in a new home front and center.
Here are five things to know about the zoo’s latest exhibit.
The king has returned
Straight from the entrance and past the World of Primates, the African Lions are now one of the first species visitors see when they walk in.
Observation areas on either side of the exhibit have large windows for guests of all ages and heights to get a close look at the king of the jungle.
There’s an air conditioned safari bus parked to the side with some more observation windows for kids to get a peak at the big cats.
The lions used to be in an enclosure further back without close observation windows so this new space gives plenty of viewing opportunities.
More returning species
The lions returned to the zoo with some more familiar species not seen in a while.
Predators of Asia & Africa includes the Sumatran Tiger, Cheetah, African Painted Dog and Striped Hyena are all back in new enclosures with space to play and lounge.
Big cats and canines are not the only species in the new exhibit.
Guests can get a close look at birds like the Pygmy Falcon, Red-Crowned Crane, Lesser Bird of Paradise, Storm’s Stork, Wattled Crane and Wrinkled Hornbill.
New species
The Predators of Asia & Africa exhibit includes three new species: the African Leopard, Clouded Leopard and Satyr Tragopan.
Take a right past the lions and a left from Elephant Springs to visit the zoo’s newest members.
How long was the exhibit under construction?
It took 941 days of construction for the Predators of Asia & Africa exhibit to be complete.
It incorporates 67 original trees and adds 103 new trees.
Water features in different enclosures like the lion and tiger habitats consist of 1,500 gallons of recirculated water flowing per minute.
What’s next for the Fort Worth Zoo?
Predators of Asia & Africa is phase three of the Fort Worth Zoo’s four-phase “A Wilder Vision” plan.
“A Wilder Vision” began in 2011. The African Savanna exhibit opened in spring 2018 and Elephant Springs opened in 2021.
The fourth and final phase will be Forests & Jungles which is expected to open spring 2025.
