The rise of Congo Falls From the cover
The big picture
The conditions
Lauren Inderbitzin, the director of animal well-being at the San Antonio Zoo, said the exhibit has multiple features, including over 260 plants and trees throughout the habitat. “The 2-acre habitat is ginormous for a gorilla habitat,” Inderbitzin said. “And I think, really, the special attention to the details in it has been groundbreaking in the form of [a] gorilla habitat.” San Antonio resident Irma Aguilera visited the Congo Falls exhibit with her daughter shortly after it opened and described it as a paradise. “You feel so good knowing a lot of money went into getting them close to their natural habitat,” Aguilera said.
On Dec. 13, the San Antonio Zoo opened Congo Falls, marking the return of gorillas to the city after over 35 years. Hope Roth, San Antonio Zoo vice president of marketing, sales and communication, said they partnered with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, or AZA, to craft the 2-acre exhibit. “Congo Falls doesn’t just bring gorillas back to San Antonio—it raises the global standard for how gorillas are cared for, challenged and seen,” Roth said. Craig Hoover, executive vice president of AZA, said the habitat incorporated the best science available on designing complex environments. “[Congo Falls] represents the best of what we know about gorilla habitat design, and its
innovation will be studied for years to come,” Hoover said. Home to two troops, with seven western lowland gorillas in total, the exhibit includes three distinct habitats—the Lowland Basin, the Gorilla Gorge and the Indoor Rainforest. The exhibit features the world’s largest gorilla tower, the Mays Family Silverback Peak, standing 70 feet tall and providing gorillas a panoramic view of the city. Roth said Congo Falls represents the zoo’s mission of wildlife conservation. “Our vision at San Antonio Zoo literally is securing a future for wildlife. And so that family troop in Congo Falls is part of us, making sure that we keep that vision in the forefront,” Roth said.
Features: Congo Falls map
1 Elliott-Stabler Family Trailhead 2 Will Smith Foundation Infinity Falls 3 Mays Family Silverback Peak 4 John R. and Greli N. Less Charitable Trust Gorilla Trail 5 The Greehey Family Foundation Education Pavilion 6 Kim Lewis Family Foundation Rainforest Oasis 7 The Elizabeth Huth Coates Charitable Trust Pop Up Viewing 8 The Carroll and Marguerite Wheeler Foundation Underground Viewing
Zooming in
Gorilla bedrooms
35 years since the last gorilla exhibit at the San Antonio Zoo
The Ralston
Indoor Rainforest
70-foot-tall gorilla tower
6
Gorilla Gorge
3
4
7
30-foot waterfall
2
5
Lowlands Basin
8
ADA entrance
2-acre immersive habitat
Entrance
2 3
1
1 Photo opportunity 2 Gift shop 3 Restroom 4 Food and beverage Other ammenities:
1
Entrance
7 western lowland gorillas
4
$30 million + total cost for construction
SOURCE: SAN ANTONIO ZOO/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: SAN ANTONIO ZOO/COMMUNITY IMPACT
YOUR SOLUTION IS HERE. daily marketing
NEWSLETTER BANNERS
Scan, call 512.989.1000 or email ads@communityimpact.com.
14
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook