CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland Metroparks Zoo broke ground on its new, state-of-the-art Primate Forest campus-destination on Tuesday morning, marking the beginning of the zoo’s largest capital improvement project in its 142-year history.
Representatives for the Metroparks, the Cleveland Zoological Society and CrossCountry Mortgage – a major sponsor and partner in the new Primate Forest – trumpeted the re-imagining of the beloved RainForest in a pre-groundbreaking press conference.
Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman said that once open, the Primate Forest will be “one of the most notable tourist destinations for our region.”
The multi-year, $60 million renovation-expansion will “bring science, research and animal care front and center,” refreshing the 63,000-square-foot former RainForest structure renamed as the Tropical Forest.
Additionally, 33,500 square feet of new construction containing the CrossCountry Mortgage Forest Home and expanded Orangutan Forest habitat will also take place.
Fully funded through partnerships and philanthropic donations, state capital funds and zoo funds, both are scheduled to open in 2026 – with a “future phase” of the project including a Gorilla Forest to accommodate the zoo’s growing gorilla troop.
Representatives reaffirmed the zoo’s impact as a “world-class leader in global conservation, animal wellbeing and management, as well as science education and research.”
Despite initial rumors to the contrary, the project will honor the rich legacy of the RainForest in the refresh and expansion. This includes preservation and incorporation of the RainForest’s iconic, 40-foot “geodesic dome,” which will be part of the Orangutan Forest component.
Orangutans will also have a new complex of nesting and climbing structures; an elevated trail will provide guests with new viewing experiences.
A new two-story “dayroom” will give the orangutans a transition choice between indoor and outdoor habitats and give visitors a front-row seat to animal husbandry, training and more.
In an exclusive interview, Zimmerman told Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer that all parties were actively committed to building on the destination’s legacy from the beginning.
Zimmerman said that legacy of the 10,000 plants and 600 animals from the forests of Asia, Africa and the Americas was always front-of-mind. The CEO of the Cleveland Metroparks since March 2010 added that he understands the importance of tradition, memories and nostalgia to Greater Clevelanders, too.
“Memories do matter,” said Zimmerman. “When we talk about creating memories for the park district that’s now 107 years old and the zoo’s impending 150th year coming in 2032, improving and keeping standards and traditions along with the care of our animals here is very important.”
He said that all were taken into account when the plan was being finalized.
“There’s not a month that goes by that we don’t get a [vintage] ZooKey from a visitor,” Zimmerman said in the interview Tuesday morning, referencing nostalgia for the 1960s zoo program reintroduced in 2017.
“We know this is because they cared enough to hang onto them,” he added. “We understand that passion.”
“We have a couple areas in [this renovation and expansion] like the rainstorm and the dome,” added Dr. Christopher Kuhar, executive director of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
Kuhar said that while some things will be “repurposed,” the core of what that building has been will remain and be an “active focus” of its 2.0 era.
“When it’s done, key species orangutans and gorillas will be there, but we’re still going to have the amphibians, some of the snakes and other animals that are a part of it – otters and monkeys,” said Kuhar.
“A lot of those animals in the rainforest now will be in that new tropical forest habitat,” he said.
The future Gorilla Forest will include a 25,000-square-foot habitat and “management hub for gorilla training and healthcare” along with an adjoining forest, garden space and guest observation tower.
Zimmerman said that partners and the entire team involved have put “a lot of attention into the design and detail,” from animal keepers and horticultural specialists and all points in-between.
“The future Primate Forest will a vibrant and inclusive community asset that elevates the often-groundbreaking zoological work taking place right here in Cleveland,” said Zimmerman.
