The San Antonio Zoo is scaling up its game with an all-new Savanna expansion, which includes a unique overnight experience where visitors can slumber among the giraffes. The zoo, making strides under President and CEO Tim Morrow's leadership, has unveiled plans for Spekboom Lodge—a private rentable lodge within a newly-expanded giraffe enclosure that's not only a boasting point for conservation efforts but also a major draw for wildlife enthusiasts, as reported by KENS 5.
According to KENS 5, the lodge offers remarkable giraffe-gazing views from the comfort of a primary suite, complete with a kitchenette, living area, kid bunk beds, and a private outdoor patio—a first for an AZA-accredited zoo in the Lone Star State. The zoo isn't stopping at fancy digs; their savannah expansion, which swells the former elephant habitat into giraffe territory, gives an additional 126% of roaming space to a host of wildlife, including zebras, gazelles, and ostriches.
Alongside the visitor perks, the new two-story giraffe barn is a conservation coup, creating room for a breeding program specifically aimed at bolstering the reticulated giraffe population, a species housed at the zoo, as mentioned by KENS 5. Visitors can also indulge in stellar Savannah views from a new elevated walkway that weaves through the exhibit by the historic quarry walls.
Building on decades of history, the growth of San Antonio Zoo doesn't stop at expansion. “Guests will be able to view and explore the savanna in entirely new ways, offering first-time-ever views and even more animals to observe and learn about," exclaimed Morrow in a statement obtained by KENS 5. The expansion breathes new life into the nearly 57-acre site, part of Morrow's grand vision to cement the zoo as a must-see destination on the San Antonio map.
This multimillion-dollar facelift, as detailed by the Express-News, goes beyond giraffes, with vast propaganda for an event center that boasts city skyline views and a plan to bring elephants back to the fray. With the revival reaching pre-pandemic revenue levels, despite temperamental attendance, cooling features, and revamped habitats from rhinos to gorillas are also on the blueprint. “There will be little elements of cooling in everything we do moving forward," an insight into planning that takes both visitor comfort and animal welfare to heart.
Eyes are firmly set on 2024, when the expanded savanna is slated to debut, aiming to enhance the educational and experiential offerings of the zoo. Yet, it stands as more than mere attraction; it's a commitment to conservation and connection, providing up-close encounters with the majesty of nature right in the middle of modern-day San Antonio.
