Work begins on a new Tulsa Zoo exhibit: Lost Kingdom, which should open in 2017.
Zoo board of directors chairman John Dale said the recent opening of a rhino reserve pushed attendance to its second-highest total ever.
"Next is the Lost Kingdom exhibit, which we are confident will drive attendance to all-time highs," Dale said. "This complex will provide guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the lost world of Asia, where new adventure awaits around every corner."
The 3 acre exhibit will house rare animals native to Asia, including the endangered Malayan tiger. Zoo President and CEO Terrie Correll said there were around 600 in the wild last year when the zoo’s three tiger cubs were born.
"But today, those estimates are between 250 and 350 individuals remaining in the wild," Correll said.
The tiger habitat will include Tiger Bridge, an overhead walkway the animals can take between areas.
"This new exhibit also provides new habitats for our snow leopards, Komodo dragons and siamangs, and introduces red pandas and binturongs, new species to the Tulsa Zoo," Correll said.
The zoo has raised nearly $15 million the $16 million Lost Kingdom exhibit through a combination of private donors and the Improve Our Tulsa initiative.
