Your inside look at Project Zoo: Wildly Reimagined!
LITTLE ROCK (August 19, 2025) – During our centennial year, we’re not just looking back—we’re building for the future! This bold initiative will completely transform the Zoo’s front entrance and surrounding animal habitats, marking one of our most ambitious projects yet.
This blog series will serve as your behind-the-scenes pass to the progress—featuring updates, and sneak peeks of what’s to come!
Week 1: June 9-13, 2025
Construction officially kicked off this week, marking the beginning of a major transformation for the Zoo. Work began Monday morning with the installation of perimeter fencing to secure the site and ensure the safety of guests and staff. Crews mobilized quickly, preparing key areas for initial demolition and clearing. A dedicated construction entrance and new access road are also being established on the east side of the Zoo, allowing heavy equipment to safely enter and exit the work zone without disrupting day-to-day Zoo operations.
Week 2: June 16-20, 2025
The access road now extends to the former spider monkey yard, marking a key milestone in early site development. Crews also installed silt fencing near drainage areas to serve as temporary erosion control. This geotextile fabric is supported by stakes to help prevent sediment and debris from entering nearby waterways during construction.
Demolition of the old spider monkey yard is now underway. The exhibit’s concrete features are being crushed on-site and repurposed as fill for the surrounding moat. This approach minimizes construction waste while helping to stabilize the ground for future development. The space will eventually house two new exhibits: one for anteaters and another for squirrel monkeys and capybaras, designed with an emphasis on both animal welfare and guest experience. A new animal care building will support husbandry needs while offering shaded viewing areas for Zoo visitors.
As vegetation was cleared from the construction footprint, animal care staff took full advantage of the opportunity to go “log shopping”—salvaging sturdy branches, tree trunks, and stumps for use in enrichment and habitat design across the Zoo. The cleared foliage also provided fresh browse for a variety of species, giving animals access to seasonal, natural treats that support both nutrition and behavioral health.
Week 3: June 23-27, 2025
Demolition continued across the site with the removal of the former Lorikeet Landing and adjacent Snack Shack. Vegetation clearing also progressed across key areas, expanding space for grading and underground infrastructure work.
Construction fencing banners were installed to enhance guest experience and communicate project updates.
On June 24, the Zoo hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking event to mark the next chapter in its 100-year history. Although construction had already been underway behind the scenes, this event served as the public’s first introduction to the project. Community leaders, Zoo staff, and supporters gathered to celebrate the beginning of this transformative initiative and to share the Zoo’s vision for the future—one rooted in conservation, education, and immersive animal experiences.
Week 4: June 30- July 3, 2025
Demolition efforts intensified in several key areas of the project, including the former spider monkey yard, Lemur Island, and the amphitheater. Crews continued work to fill the moats surrounding the old exhibits using crushed concrete from earlier demo—both stabilizing the terrain and reducing waste.
Removing the moat on Lemur Island marks an important first step in transforming the area to improve both guest experience and animal care. Once completed, the redesigned space will allow guests to get closer to the lemurs than ever before. Plans also include a new indoor viewing area, providing guests with year-round opportunities to enjoy these lively primates, rain or shine.
Demolition of the amphitheater seating also began this week. The space will be reimagined into a more intimate and interactive environment, designed to foster closer connections between guests and the Zoo’s ambassador animals through talks, and educational presentations.
Week 5: June 7- July 11, 2025
Demolition ramped up on Lemur Island as part of the Zoo’s ongoing site transformation. The moat that once encircled the exhibit is now in the process of being filled, and the original lemur holding building and surrounding overhead netting—once critical for keeping lemurs safe from aerial and climbing predators—have been fully removed. While the netting is no longer needed in its former configuration, an updated safety barrier will be included in the redesigned space to ensure safety for the animals.
Concrete pulverization also continued, breaking down large slabs of old concrete into small, reusable aggregate. This recycled material is being used to fill moats and stabilize areas with uneven ground, supporting sustainability goals and long-term structural integrity.
The final stages of amphitheater demolition were completed this week, clearing another section of the site and setting the stage for future developments that will enrich the Zoo experience for guests and animals alike.
Watch Us Grow
This project is about more than construction—it’s about the next 100 years of conservation, education, and connection. Whether you’re a longtime member or a first-time visitor, we’re grateful to have you by our side as we grow.
Stay tuned to this blog series for regular updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and progress photos as we build the future of your Little Rock Zoo.
