NORFOLK, Va. — The Virginia Zoo celebrated the groundbreaking of a new expansion campaign dedicated to wildlife education and conservation.
“This is our largest fundraising effort in more than a decade and will completely reimagine several key areas of the Zoo,” said Virginia Zoo Executive Director Greg Bockheim.
The $16.2 million campaign aims to raise funds for five key projects, each aiming to reflect the local community while furthering the zoo’s educational impact.
Wednesday’s groundbreaking marked the first step toward the Macon and Joan Brock EdVenture & Exploration Campus, which will serve as a home base for professional educator staff and offer guests a unique behind-the-scenes experience while highlighting the work of zookeepers.
Five acres of unused space will be turned into The Perry Family Rhino Valley, a special habitat for the endangered greater one-horned rhinoceros.
The boardwalk in the “Asia: Trail of the Tiger” exhibit will also be extended, adding three new treehouse classrooms from which guests can view animals.
The almost 70-year-old sea lion pool was transformed into The Kay and Al Abiouness Turtle Oasis, now home to the zoo’s rescued giant alligator snapping turtles and other endangered turtle species.
New zoo-wide connectivity will improve accessibility by allowing guests to experience the zoo virtually through habitat and zookeeper cameras.
The Virginia Zoo is also teaming up with community partners for the Greening World composting program to turn enclosure waste into organic matter for regional agriculture efforts.
“We all know that it's important that people learn more about animals, about wildlife, the importance of wild places and that's what we're here to do,” said Bockheim. “We're mission-centric about teaching people that wildlife (and) the environment matter.”