ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Some of the tallest creatures at the ABQ BioPark zoo are getting room to spread out. The zoo has plans to expand the giraffe habitat with a recently purchased property. BioPark leaders said that the current habitat hasn’t seen major developments since the 1980s and are excited to give it a revamp. “This is an area that we’ve identified to do some great renovations,” said Brandon Gibson, Director for ABQ BioPark.
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The ABQ BioPark is one of the most visited places in all of New Mexico. Now, zoo leaders said they’re looking to expand the “Africa Savannah Habitat” for some of their biggest animals. “We’re definitely looking to expand the herd size of the giraffes, and through the BioPark’s GRT, gross receipts tax, we’re looking at a conceptual plan to help expand this yard,” said Gibson.
That plan included buying a half-acre of land that was once a home, just off 13th Street next to the zoo’s current giraffe habitat. When the residents passed away, the family reached out to the BioPark, which bought the property for about $225,000. “Unfortunately, their loved ones had passed away, but they said they really envisioned that property becoming a piece of the BioPark. And the home was in some rough shape, some rough condition, and there was a lot of safety concerns, so it was also best that that home was demoed,” said Gibson…