Staten Island Zoo Breaks Ground on Two New Exhibits, 7/27

The Staten Island Zoo has announced the groundbreaking of two new features for the public to enjoy beginning next fall, both of which are located outdoors, complementing the existing activities and exhibits that guests have come to enjoy at the Zoo.

An outdoor Amur leopard exhibit and a conservation-themed carousel will enhance the outdoor experience at "NY's Biggest Littlest Zoo". The groundbreaking is set for this Friday July 27, 2012 – 2:00PM at Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, Staten Island, N.Y.

Scheduled to participate in the Groundbreaking are S.I. Borough President, James. P. Molinaro, Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner, Kate Levin, Department of Designs and Construction Commissioner, David J. Burney, AIA, S.I. Borough Parks Commissioner, Adena Long and S.I. Zoological Society President, William J. Frew, Jr.

NYC capital funding in the amount of $2,860,000 for the outdoor Amur Leopard Exhibit was provided by James P. Molinaro, S.I. Borough President and James S. Oddo, NYC Council Member. The exhibit once completed will be 4500 square feet, three stories high and will have several different viewing stations for visitors. It will be one of the largest outdoor Amur Leopard Exhibits in the country and will offer ample opportunities for the leopards to climb and explore in a naturalistic setting.

Staten Island Borough President James P. Molinaro provided $1,330,000 in NYC capital funding for the construction of the Conservation Carousel. The carousel will feature endangered species for children and adults to ride. There will be approximately, two dozen different animals including some on display at the Zoo, such as the Red Panda, River Otter, Seahorse, Leopard, and Poison Dart Frog.

The Outdoor Amur Leopard Exhibit and Conservation Carousel were designed by Slade Architecture under the auspices of the NYC Department of Design and Construction and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs. The Zoo will acknowledge and thank Commissioner Levin and Commissioner Burney for their ongoing support in bringing these two state-of-the-art exhibits to the Staten Island Zoo.

Construction of both exhibits is scheduled to be completed in autumn of 2013.