Blank Park Zoo Unveils New Lion Exhibit

The expanded habitat welcomes three new lions to the Des Moines facility.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Wildlife

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Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines has opened a new, larger lion exhibit featuring three incoming lions. The project is designed to enhance animal well-being and support the zoo's ongoing conservation efforts.

Why it matters

This expansion aims to provide better living conditions for lions, specifically including features that support breeding and natural behaviors. The new space is also intended to further the growth of the zoo's broader conservation programs.

The new habitat is three times larger than the previous enclosure and includes features like elevated surfaces, grass, and a model plane. The space is explicitly designed to support animal breeding and species conservation.

The players

Blank Park Zoo

Located in Des Moines, this institution operates several conservation programs and recently underwent a major facility expansion.

The details

The design of the new habitat includes varied terrain such as rocks and grass alongside elevated platforms that provide lions with choices for shade or sunlight. This installation is a primary component of the zoo's multi-year campaign to improve facilities.

Visitors can start exploring the new lion exhibit on October 29, 2026.

Culture Shift

The expansion reflects a growing trend in modern zoos toward naturalistic enclosures that prioritize animal welfare over simple display. This shift follows the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan protocols by focusing on habitat design that supports active breeding and natural behaviors.

Des Moines residents visiting the zoo can now view the lions in a much larger habitat designed for better viewing and animal activity. The change likely alters the zoo experience by providing more dynamic observation opportunities compared to the previous, smaller enclosure.

The takeaway

Modern zoological projects increasingly utilize specialized habitat designs to encourage natural behaviors and healthy reproduction cycles among big cats. Visitors can look forward to future phases of the Wild Iowa project, which will eventually introduce additional species like otters and bobcats.