Albuquerque zoo completes addition

ALBUQUERQUE -- Dreaming big is paying off for the ABQ BioPark Zoo.

The Albuquerque institution completed its largest addition to the zoo since 1996 when the Asia habitat opened to the public last week.

"There's nothing like it," said Allyson Zahm, guest experience manager. "What we've managed to do is give visitors a 360 degree way of viewing the animals."

The $33 million project took more than three years to finish. The animals have spent the last five weeks getting acclimated to their new homes.

The habitat was transformed within 4.5 acres of empty space near where the elephants are housed.

Zahm said most visitors would recognize the area because it's where the train that travels from the Botanic Garden to the zoo would turn around.

Lynn Tupa, ABQ BioPark Zoo manager, said the Asia habitat gives a new home to the snow leopards, Malayan tigers, Steller's sea eagles, orangutans and siamangs.

"The design is to not only enhance the experience for visitors, but it gives the animals more room to roam and experience a new habitat," Tupa said. "The area gives the visitor a 360 degree view. It also is specially designed to let the tigers, siamangs and orangutans explore different parts of the habitats each day."

While there are different areas of the habitats for the species to explore, Tupa explained each species will have their own time in the area before moving on to explore.

She said zoos in Philadelphia, Atlanta and Denver allow animals to share the same space at different times.

"What this does is not only gives a change of scenery for the animals," Tupa said. "But it also creates an environment that is as close to nature as we could provide. It will give the tigers a chance to be in a habitat that was occupied by siamangs or orangutans a few hours earlier."

With this freedom comes a lot of security.

"We have over 400 locks," Tupa said. "Each section of habitat will be cleared before the next species can be let in. It's a lot of logistics."

Zahm said the spacious design of the Asia habitat will also let the animals' caretakers get some flex time with each one.

"As the animals explore a different part of the habitat, the staff is able to work with each one, while educating the visitors," Zahm said.

The orangutans and siamangs will be able to swing, play and climb freely through the elevated space. It also gives the animals an opportunity to look down on the visitors exploring the habitat.

"We have a pool in the Stellar's sea eagles (habitat) and we will put goldfish in there so each can swoop down and get their dinner," Tupa said. "This type of exercise will encourage them to exercise their natural fishing abilities."

Zahm said being able to transform the vacant 4.5 acres was much needed but adds to the experience of coming to the zoo.

The funding came from the 1/8-cent gross receipts tax, which was approved by voters in 2016.

"The community has been generous in helping us lead the way when it comes to the experience," Zahm said. "The habitat is immersive and gives a new way to experience the zoo. This habitat is the benchmark for planning for the future."