The Minnesota Zoo is pleased to let you know that Governor Mark Dayton recently announced a bonding bill that includes an important recommendation for the Zoo—$17.78 million to complete Heart of the Zoo 2 and $4 million for us to address critical infrastructure repairs and exhibit improvements.

Maintaining a zoo the size, age and complexity of the Minnesota Zoo requires significant, ongoing investment to keep facilities functional and safe for our 4,700 animals and 1.2 million annual guests. Bonding funds allow the Zoo to meet these needs.

The Zoo’s Heart of the Zoo 2 project is a long-standing priority that will complete the transformation of the Zoo’s main entrance. The project integrates urgently needed improvements to the Zoo’s almost 40-year-old main building with:

• Revitalizing our popular snow monkey exhibit that has seen decades of wear.
• Adding a new engaging meerkat exhibit near the Zoo’s main entrance.
• Improving basic guest services—lobby, restroom, and retail space.

Addressing all of these needs simultaneously in coming months will maximize efficiency, save significant construction costs and minimize disruption for our guests–in all saving millions of dollars.

And we know these exhibit improvements will delight our guests for years to come!

With the legislative session beginning in early March, we are thrilled to support the Governor’s recommendation for Zoo funding that will allow the Zoo to complete these critical projects and help the Zoo maintain its status as one of Minnesota’s premier cultural institutions. We will keep you posted as the session gets underway.