Christmas comes early to Elk Grove—but instead of reindeer and elves, giraffes and lions are preparing to move in. The Sacramento Zoo’s long-awaited expansion from 14.7 acres to roughly 65 acres is developing at a new site in Elk Grove by Kammerer Road and Lotz Parkway. 

The City of Elk Grove and the Sacramento Zoological Society are collaborating on the $300 million project that will begin in 2027 and open to the public in 2029. This project will be the first zoo built from the ground up in North America in over three decades. The Sacramento Zoo will remain operational at its current location until the Elk Grove site is ready, after which the City of Sacramento will decide the future use of the William Land Park property.

“There’s been a lot of excitement in the business community. The site is in a developing area with new housing and a beautiful community center nearby. This will put Elk Grove on the map for economic development while remaining accessible to Sacramento,” Kevin Bell said.

Bell is former CEO of Lincoln Park Zoo and now chief strategy officer. After serving over 30 years as CEO, Bell now advises on fundraising and long-term planning.

Bell explained that expanding the zoo is a practical way for the zoo to maintain their accreditation status with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums by giving the animals more room in their exhibits. 

“Accredited means that the zoos not only have great facilities for their animals, but they do good conservation work, and they also have strong educational programs,” Bell said.

Expected to attract one million visitors annually, the new zoo will generate an estimated $249 million in jobs for the Elk Grove region over the next five years.

Currently, the Sacramento Zoo is a regional destination, drawing around half a million visitors from Northern California and Western Nevada.

“Animal welfare is our utmost concern,” Elizabeth Stallard, President of the Board of the Sacramento Zoo, said. “This move allows us to better care for animals and create a world-class zoo for Northern California.” 

Officials highlight that the new zoo will house over 400 species through 4 zones (Africa, California, Australia and Asia). Africa– the first zone designated for completion– will include a 23-acre African savanna featuring rhinos, giraffes, lions and cheetahs– and a restaurant overlooking it. Giraffes, one of the Sacramento Zoo’s signature animals, will benefit from expanded exhibits that will house more and host a breeding pair to support genetic diversity.

The previous zoo lacked modern accessibility features since it was built before the Americans with Disabilities Act. The new zoo will provide accessible parking, offloading areas, designated entrances and mobility-friendly pathways to improve visitor experience and ensure accessibility for all.  Sustainable technologies, including solar energy and electric vehicles, will also be incorporated into the new facility, along with the introduction of new species, such as gelada baboons.

“Many zoos are based on a three-legged stool: there’s education, there’s conservation and there’s recreation, and we try to have a compelling story for each of those,” Robert Churchill said.

Churchill, the zoo’s Interim Executive Director, succeeded Jason Jacobs, who initiated plans for the new site. With over a decade of experience at the Sacramento Zoo, Churchill is actively involved in designing and planning the new facility, collaborating with architects, animal care experts and engineers. 

“My vision is to expand on the great work done here and create a world-class zoo in Elk Grove, serving even more families and schools across the Sacramento region,” Churchill said.

The zoo hosts over 50,000 students for field trips annually and offers year-round volunteer opportunities for teens to gain educational experience. Through the ZooMobile program, ambassadors from the zoo bring interactive science curriculum directly to Title 1 and low-income elementary classrooms. 

The Sacramento Zoo plans to continue working with outside conservation partners like California Fish and Wildlife to dedicate part of the admissions funds to the care of conserving species such as lions, giraffes, okapis, cheetahs, big field parrots and Western Pond Turtles. Sacramento Zoo staff will lead Species Survival Programs (SSP), supported by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), to protect the environment and wildlife.

Still, the fundraising aspect of the zoo’s development looks to be an uphill battle, 

“A major challenge is getting donors excited for a zoo that won’t open for at least five years, as they typically want to see progress on their contributions,” Bell said. 

While the city has committed $90 million, the zoo is responsible for $50 million raised through private donations, and the remaining will be covered through bonds. The Sacramento Zoological Society has already raised over $15 million. Fundraising includes partnerships with local organizations like the Sacramento Kings and public outreach campaigns.

 “This isn’t just about moving a zoo; it’s about creating an experience that connects visitors with animals and encourages them to save species,” Bell said. 

This story was originally published on GraniteBayToday.org on December 19, 2024.