BREC Baton Rouge Zoo Unveils Stunning New Exhibits as Renovations Near Completion

BATON ROUGE, La. – Excitement is building at the BREC Baton Rouge Zoo as it approaches the final stages of a significant renovation project that promises to transform the visitor experience and enrich the lives of the animals in its care.

Zoo Director Jim Fleshman revealed that after more than two years of intense planning and construction, the zoo’s major renovation efforts, which began in early 2021, are almost complete. The ambitious project has introduced many new features and improvements, including state-of-the-art exhibits for bison, hippos, and giraffes.

significantly enhanced

One of the highlights of the renovation is the new bison exhibit, which now features a sprawling, naturalistic habitat for these iconic American animals. The exhibit showcases a unique herd, with the male bison coming from the renowned Yellowstone National Park and the females from the historic Wind Cave National Park. Visitors can now watch these magnificent creatures as they roam and graze in a setting designed to mimic their natural habitat.

Another major update is the new hippo exhibit, which offers a modern, expansive water environment for these large and impressive mammals. The redesigned space allows for optimal viewing of the hippos as they swim and interact in their new aquatic home.

The giraffe exhibit, too, has received a substantial upgrade. The new sanctuary provides a spacious area where the giraffes can enjoy plenty of grass and browse at their leisure, giving guests an incredible opportunity to observe these gentle giants in a comfortable and enriching environment.

Beyond the animal exhibits, the zoo has also significantly enhanced its event spaces. On Saturday, resident Marnita Blount and her niece Alaina Carper took advantage of the newly revamped birthday party venue.

Blount described their experience as “awesome” and “amazing,” highlighting how the new venue provided everything they needed for a memorable celebration. “They supplied everything, it was so much fun. We got to meet and pet some of the ambassador animals, which was really cool,” Blount said.

As the zoo prepares to open these new features to the public, there is still some work to be done on the main entrance. Initially slated for completion in May, the project has faced delays due to issues with fiber optic installations. The entrance on Thomas Road will eventually be transformed into a service area, streamlining operations and enhancing the overall visitor experience.

Despite these setbacks, the zoo’s upcoming opening of the new exhibits and event spaces marks a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to provide a world-class experience for both its animal residents and its human guests.

“While we’re not quite finished with everything yet, we’re incredibly excited about the progress we’ve made and can’t wait for our visitors to see what we’ve been working on,” Fleshman said.

With these new developments, the BREC Baton Rouge Zoo is poised to offer an even richer and more engaging experience for all who visit.