With NC Zoo Ready To Add The Animals Of Asia To Its Lineup, Governor Seeks New Funds

Gov. Roy Cooper's proposed budget calls for the North Carolina Zoo to open its first new zoo on the mainland since 1994, funding 50 full-time Asian jobs, just in time for its planned opening in 2026.

The Governor's budget will provide the zoo with money to get rid of the old enclosure and design a replacement, as well as provide funds for state parks to hire necessary staff to offset increased crowds due to the pandemic.

"It's exciting," said Reid Wilson, secretary of the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, who recently visited the zoo outside Ashborough to see the progress of the new facility.

"I think everyone who has been to this zoo in North Carolina loves it," Wilson said. “This is the largest natural habitat zoo in the world. But if you add Asia from two continents, Africa and North America, it becomes even more special. School groups and families will have the opportunity to see a completely different type of animal, adding to the experience and providing more entertainment and education for those who visit.

The original design of the zoo, when it was created in the 1960s and 1970s, included a garden section with animals and plants from all seven continents and four oceans.

Africa first opened up in 1980 with elephants, gorillas, lions and zebras.

North America followed in 1994 with polar bears, black bears, brown bears, and red wolves. In total, more than 1,700 animals live in the zoo today.

reduce floors

As state legislators repeatedly fail to fund a large new enclosure, the zoo has downsized and created smaller sections that planners say will continue to have a big impact on visitors.

Asia is the first one.

Asia, which is scheduled to open in 2026, will cover 10 hectares, which is about a quarter of the area of the Watani grassland in the African part, which is home to elephants, antelopes, gazelles, rhinos, waterbucks, ostriches and large kudus.

It will feature the Asian tiger, Komodo dragon, Visayan warthog, Asian small-clawed otter, red-crowned crane, knobbed hornbill, king cobra, barnacled gibbon, and Chinese giant salamander.

Guests can stroll through the tiger exhibit or watch the big cats in the 300-seat cafe.

Cooper's budget proposal includes more than $4.8 million in interim funding and more than $1.4 million in one-time funding to fill 50 full-time positions. Wilson said the money will go to Asian staff at the show, including customer service representatives, veterinarians, zookeepers, gardeners and maintenance workers.

Wilson said more top-50 positions are likely to be needed as focus opens up.

The North Carolina Zoo is one of the top tourist attractions in the state, with more than a million visitors a year last year.

I'll try again to get money for the bird.

In addition to charismatic animals like gorillas, lions, elephants, and bears, the park's favorite feature is the jungle enclosures, which opened in 1982 and closed for good in April 2022. The accumulated damage to the building has reached a point. repairs can be made, inspection showed.

Last year, Cooper asked lawmakers for $5 million to demolish the building and design a new one in a less aggressive part of the park. The money did not arrive.

This year's request is for $6 million to do the same work.

The mayor's budget also includes the following requests to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources:

▪ $291,493 for five staff positions at the Museum of Natural Sciences' new Duel Dinosaurs exhibit;

▪ $25 million for the State Great Trails Fund, which will raise federal money and accelerate an investment-ready project to eventually connect all 100 county trails.

▪ Capital improvements to several state parks and more than $10 million for 44 state parks across the state, including Umstead and Eno River Triangle. Wilson said the staff additions were necessary due to increased visits to the parks, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.