Your inside look at Project Zoo: Wildly Reimagined!
LITTLE ROCK (November 17, 2025) – The Little Rock Zoo’s transformative new construction project continues to make progress. We’ve seen significant developments in the past few weeks as the focus shifts from groundwork to structural development. With concrete foundations poured and the first walls beginning to rise, the project is entering an exciting new phase. In this update, we’ll take a closer look at the milestones from Weeks 17 through 20.
Week 17 September 29 – October 3, 2025
The sand and gravel delivered last week were carefully spread and leveled across the building site, forming a solid base for what’s to come. Crews worked steadily throughout the week to prepare the area, compacting and fine-tuning the surface so everything will be ready for the next big milestone — pouring the concrete in the week ahead.
Week 18 October 6-10, 2025
This week marked an important milestone in the project as the concrete foundations were poured. The process involved careful preparation, precise measurements, and close coordination with the construction team to make sure everything was level and reinforced according to plan.
As we wrapped up the week, the beginnings of the walls were starting to take shape, signaling an exciting transition into the next phase of construction.
Week 19 October 13-17, 2025
This week brought more visible progress as the walls continued to take shape, rising steadily from the newly poured foundations. Crews also kept up the concrete work, filling in the remaining holes left after removing the base of the old dome and ensuring each section was level.
By Thursday, the construction fence was pushed back, reopening more of the plaza area for guests to enjoy.
Week 20 October 20-24, 2025
The buildings are taking shape quickly! Walls are going up, and progress is moving along at a steady pace.
Construction Moves Indoors
Over the past 20 weeks, we’ve watched exciting progress unfold as Project Zoo has come to life! From demolition and groundwork to framing, walls, and roofing, it’s been a remarkable transformation to see.
Guests visiting the Zoo today can spot two of the main new buildings taking shape. When complete, the smaller building on the far right will become the new home to the Aldabra tortoises. The larger building at the center of the site will house squirrel monkeys and capybaras—and will also become a new home for our anteaters. Just to the left of the amphitheater, you’ll soon see the reimagined lemur exhibit coming together, adding even more excitement to this growing area of the Zoo.
As construction moves indoors, much of the work ahead will focus on interior spaces, utilities, and final details—important progress, but not as easy to see from the outside. Because of that, we’ll be wrapping up our weekly construction updates for now.
We’re so grateful to everyone who’s followed along each week and shared in the excitement! As the project moves closer to completion, we’ll bring you more updates and behind-the-scenes looks at what’s coming next. Stay tuned for the big reveal!
