DENVER ( KDVR ) — Soon, the Denver Zoo will expand from its urban downtown setting to a location that is more than doubles its current size.
On Thursday, the Denver Zoo released a press release outlining the project.
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The expanded portion of the zoo will be on the 570-acre Lembke Family Preserve in Weld County. It’s being constructed as a conservation center, meaning this new space won’t be open to the public.
“Its primary purpose is to expand the space the Zoo has to work with for animal care and wildlife conservation,” Denver Zoo’s Jake Kubie told FOX31.
The goal is to expand the zoo’s current breeding efforts by adding space for growing families and new species.
As of now, the Denver Zoo only has an 84-acre campus. With more space, it will not only add to the zoo’s Species Survival Plan, but it will also help with capacity at the current zoo.
The zoo plans on using the extra space for the temporary relocation of animals while it is undergoing renovations and maintenance.