The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will open its new Primate Forest to the public at noon on Thursday, October 22, capping more than two years of construction on the largest capital improvement project in the zoo’s history, the zoo announced.
The $60 million first phase transforms the former RainForest attraction into a modern destination with new animal habitats, interactive exhibits and family-friendly experiences. The broader project will eventually span about 140,000 square feet with several distinct habitats.
Visitors will see hundreds of animals representing more than 60 species, including orangutans, monkeys, clouded leopards, Asian small-clawed otters and capybaras. An expanded orangutan habitat gives the animals both indoor and outdoor space with more room to climb, explore and interact with their surroundings.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for 10 a.m. Thursday, ahead of the noon public opening. Inside, guests will also find a new Care and Conservation Center, where they can watch aspects of the zoo’s animal care and conservation work, along with educational displays and children’s play areas.
Because the zoo expects significant interest, Primate Forest will use a timed-entry system. Guests must first arrive at the zoo, then scan a QR code to select an entry time and enter contact information; a confirmation text carries a link to the entry ticket. One reservation can cover groups of up to 15 people, and reservations are available only on the day of a visit.
Cleveland Magazine, in an early look at the habitat, noted that the orangutans gain an outdoor yard with rope courses and trees to climb, and quoted executive director Chris Kuhar saying some of the orangutans have never experienced grass. A window into the day room also lets visitors watch veterinary checkups.
Thursday’s opening is only the first phase. Future plans include a new Gorilla Forest habitat, with the overall project expected to reach completion by 2032, giving the zoo a multi-year path to finish the full Primate Forest campus.
For Northeast Ohio families, the opening lands just ahead of the weekend, and the zoo is warning that additional waiting may still be necessary depending on crowd levels even after a timed entry arrives. Guests are encouraged to plan for a busy first few days.
Photo: Thaddeus Quintin, CC BY-SA