BOISE, Idaho — Zoo Boise is known for its wide selection of different animals, including its three red pandas.
Visitors can look forward to seeing those pandas in a brand-new habitat, which Zoo Boise will break ground on later this year.
The new red panda complex will replace the old habitat, which was built as a temporary exhibit two decades ago.
"Our current red panda habitat is very old, but the new one will make people feel like they're almost walking into a lush Asian forest. It's going to have plants, trees, decorations and decor - and the theming behind it will make people feel like they're immersed somewhere they might actually find a red panda in the wild," Zoo Boise Marketing and Public Relations Director Jeff Agosta said. "There's going to be multiple exhibits, an overhead walkway, there's also going to be nursery rooms. We're going to be able to hold multiple pairs or individuals of red pandas at one time."
The new complex will add another experience at the zoo, that was just named a 'Top 20' zoo in the country by USA today.
"That's a huge honor," Agosta said. "There are tons of zoos out there, to be named and selected as one of those top 20 is really fantastic."
The red panda complex is part of Zoo Boise's 'Heart of the Zoo' campaign, which will build and renovate several buildings - including the new habitat that Spud, Jasper and Stevie can all call home.
"Red pandas are one of our core conservation animal species here at the zoo that we focus on. We partner with the Red Panda Network to protect them in the wild," Agosta said. "We want people to come here, learn about red pandas, get fascinated by them - and then hopefully want to protect them in the wild. So the best thing that we can do is provide the best home that we can here at Zoo Boise."
Zoo Boise is fundraising for its Heart of the Zoo campaign, which will also build a new education campus and renovate the Small Animal Kingdom. Donations to rebuild the heart of the zoo can be made here.
Zoo Boise was selected as a Top 20 zoo by a panel of experts, the top 10 zoos will be selected by a public vote. To vote for Zoo Boise, visit the USA Today website here.
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