BOISE, Idaho — On Tuesday, Zoo Boise gave KTVB a first look at the soon to be open Gorongosa National Park Exhibit.
Zoo Boise’s 2.5-acre expansion highlights the zoo’s partnership with the park of the same name in Mozambique, a country in southeastern Africa.
The exhibit, set to open to the public July 17, features animals that can be seen at Gorongosa, which includes African wild dogs, baboons, Nile crocodiles, vervet monkeys, spotted-necked otters, hyenas, warthogs, the Nyala, vultures, and southern ground hornbills.
Zoo Director Gene Peacock introduced Pandora, a Nile crocodile, to KTVB on Tuesday morning.
"Crocodiles are like living dinosaurs in a way. One part the Jurassic Park movies but another part the danger," he said. "Crocodiles are animals that can mess you up and you need to have people that know how to take care of them and a proper exhibit. Having her here is a thing that I think people will really enjoy."
Peacock says one of the cool things about the new exhibit is that it is open year-round, so people can still visit the animals in the middle of winter.
Gorongosa was destroyed during 25 years of war in Mozambique, and as they have rebuilt, Zoo Boise has partnered with them to rebuild the park and increase animal populations, while also addressing the needs of the people who live nearby.
The Gorongosa National Park Exhibit at Zoo Boise is expected to generate $2 million towards the efforts in Mozambique to protect elephants, lions, zebras and other wild and endangered animals.
WATCH BELOW: First Look: The New Gorongosa National Park Exhibit at Zoo Boise