Latest expansion project at OKC Zoo to resemble habitat straight out of Africa 

Giraffes at the Oklahoma City Zoo, along with its many other animals native to Africa, will enjoy a newly renovated home in the near future as work progresses on Expedition Africa, the largest habitat expansion project in the zoo’s 120-year history. 

The $25 million project encompasses 14 acres within the heart of the complex and, when completed, will resemble a typical African savannah that will feature zebra, wildebeest, ostrich, gazelle, meerkats, honey badgers, cheetahs, painted dogs, flamingos and giraffe as well as other African animal species. There will even be a lush rainforest habitat that will include animals such as ring-tailed lemurs, African bullfrogs, Mantella frogs, and cichlid fish, among others. 

St. Louis-based PGAV Destinations is the contractor for the Expedition Africa expansion project. According to its website, PGAV Destinations has been designing attractions, exhibits and experiences since 1965, the year it was first founded. 

“It is our intent that when zoo visitors experience Expedition Africa, they will feel like they have taken a journey through Africa to see its amazing wildlife and become inspired like we have to help them thrive,” said Dr. Dwight Lawson, executive director and CEO for the zoo and botanical gardens, adding that less than one-tenth of 1% of all Americans will ever visit the African continent. 

In addition to an expanded and more immersive habitat for the animals, workers will renovate and repurpose some of the historic structures and buildings used to house some of the zoo’s African species. A new state-of-the-art giraffe barn is being built to accommodate the zoo’s growing giraffe population, which will include a year-round, indoor viewing area for guests. The historic Pachyderm Building is also getting revamped but with a desire to preserve the structure’s iconic look. It will include new wildlife exhibits; a children’s play zone; a private and multipurpose event space; and a new deck overlooking the giraffe savannah where guests will be able to feed the giraffe. 

Construction on Expedition Africa will continue throughout the next 12 months with an expected opening in spring 2023.  

For the latest updates on Expedition Africa and other attractions and events at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Gardens, please visit okczoo.org.