Utah's Hogle Zoo
More Room to Roam
Coming summer 2027
Shaped by master planning, the More Room to Roam project at Utah’s Hogle Zoo will advance care for African Savanna residents and transform the guest experience by enhancing animal wellbeing, adding year-round guest viewing spaces, and increasing capacity in the outdoor habitat.
As this multi-species habitat expands, guests will discover new ways to connect with wildlife and be inspired to become wildlife champions. Enhanced care spaces and specialized feeders will support giraffes, zebras, warthogs, and other savanna species as they thrive together. This $10.8 million project, largely funded through private donors and individual contributions, will create more opportunities for guests to observe natural behaviors and better understand the interconnectedness of wildlife.
Giraffe Herd Room: The new indoor giraffe habitat, located where the current giraffe barn stands, will give guests year-round viewing opportunities. It will feature specialized flooring, integrated medical areas, and enhanced spaces for daily husbandry. A new VIP deck will also serve as a veterinary care space where the team can conduct voluntary husbandry and veterinary procedures.
Hoofstock Barn: The expanded hoofstock facilities will include three additional stalls, automated watering systems, variable-height enrichment feeders, and a keeper training wall that will also serve as a VIP viewing area. These improvements will support care for current residents while providing flexibility for the future.
Twiga Terrace Feeding Station: A new, dedicated giraffe feeding area will give the herd enhanced access while creating a dedicated guest point-of-sale area. This area will also serve as additional space for the warthog family.
Together, these improvements will create more areas for animals to thrive and more opportunities for guests to connect with wildlife.
Timeline: The project begins in September 2026, with the expanded experience expected to open in summer 2027.
Animals
- Starting Wednesday, September 23, 2026, the giraffes, zebras, and ostrich will move into the current barn and adjacent outdoor yards for the duration of construction. Eventually, Yellow, the ostrich, will temporarily move to High Desert Oasis until the project is complete.
- The warthogs will remain near Twiga Terrace. Guests may see the warthog family near the base of the building or on the TV screens inside Twiga Terrace.
- Hogle Zoo works with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan programs to support genetically diverse, sustainable animal populations under human care. Some current residents may move to other zoos as part of planned, species-specific moves.
Animal wellbeing is central to how the project is being planned and managed.
- Before, during, and after construction, animal care and health teams will work closely with the animals through resilience training, including preparation for changes in noise and access, along with increased wellbeing assessments, including sound and vibration measures.
- The team will provide appropriate indoor and outdoor spaces based on each species’ and individual’s needs, weather permitting.
- Each animal will have increased enrichment, foraging, and training opportunities.
- Keepers will adjust their schedules to be with animals through every step of construction, providing additional support and monitoring.
Thanks to the trusting relationships our teams have with the animals under their care, staff are prepared to support animal wellbeing throughout the project.
Guests
- As construction allows and guided by the animals’ wellbeing, a temporary giraffe feeding deck may be available on the east side of the barn. Check back soon for details.
- Paid Giraffe Barn Tours will continue as construction allows and will also be guided by the animals’ wellbeing. These are a great way to see how the team cares for the African Savanna residents. Learn more and book your tour at hoglezoo.org/tours.
- Follow @HogleZoo on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for behind-the-scenes updates on your favorite residents.
You Can Help
Help us make it through the last stretch of funding for More Room to Roam! Every dollar makes a difference in completing this habitat transformation.
