Zoo Opens First Phase of Primate Forest
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has opened the initial phase of its Primate Forest, with the full project expected by 2032.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Wildlife
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo opened the first phase of Primate Forest, renovating more than 63,000 square feet of the former RainForest building and adding over 33,500 square feet of new construction. The zoo expects the full project to be completed by 2032.
Why it matters
The development is designed to bring animal wellbeing, conservation and guest experiences together. Its scale reflects a multi-year investment in the zoo's primate habitats and its conservation work for Cleveland visitors.
Phase one renovated more than 63,000 square feet and added over 33,500 square feet of new construction, against a planned full footprint of about 140,000 square feet. The phase-one investment of roughly US$70 million sits within a US$120 million total budget, with remaining funding not yet itemized.
The players
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a major zoological institution in Cleveland, Ohio, operated by the Cleveland Metroparks system and known for its extensive animal collections and conservation programs.
The details
The first phase renovated the former RainForest building and added new construction, including an expanded Orangutan Forest where the orangutans can go outdoors for the first time. A two-storey dayroom connects the indoor and outdoor orangutan habitats, and a Care and Conservation Center brings work with toads, turtles and snakes into the visitor experience. The new area is home to 65 animal species.
Timeline
Phase one of Primate Forest opened, with the article published on November 3, 2026.
The zoo expects the full Primate Forest project to be completed by 2032, its 150th anniversary.
Season Trajectory
The phase-one opening extends the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's conservation work by bringing its Care and Conservation Center into the visitor experience alongside the primate habitats. It marks an early step toward the full Primate Forest, which the zoo expects to complete by its 150th anniversary in 2032.
Cleveland visitors can now see orangutans outdoors for the first time and watch conservation work with toads, turtles and snakes up close. The expanded habitat gives families a new reason to plan a trip to the zoo before the full project is finished.
The takeaway
The Primate Forest combines animal wellbeing, conservation and visitor experience in one project, and visitors can see its first phase now. Planning a visit to see the new orangutan habitat is a practical way to experience the zoo's work firsthand.
What happens next
The zoo expects the full Primate Forest project to be completed by 2032, marking its 150th anniversary.
Further reading
For more on animal habitats and conservation, explore Wildlife coverage in Cleveland.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Leisureopportunities.
