ST. LOUIS — Construction is underway at the Henry A. Jubel Foundation Destination Discovery within the Saint Louis Zoo. It's located at the former Emerson Dinoroarus and Emerson Children’s Zoo.
A new animated fly-through rendering video gives a glimpse of the experiences within Destination Discovery.
The latest experience was announced May 2023 and a ground breaking was held this August. It's slated to open in 2026.
One month into construction, it's currently in the demolition phase. Saint Louis Zoo Director Michael Macek said the project is on schedule.
The construction removal process inclused taking out some vegetation, grading, underground utility work and demolition of structures. The zoo has removed trees that were invasive and is going to replace those with native trees.
Through a series of engagement sessions with the Zoo, children and families gave input about what they wanted to see.
Macek said families wanted some new animals and some old favorites, a bit of technology, and water play.
"My favorite thing about this, though, is it's going to be fun. It's going to be very whimsical," said David McGuire, vice president of Architecture and Planning. "It will reach out to children and families in a way that keeps them engaged."
The goal is to immerse families with close-up encounters with animals and a hands-on learning experience.
"Part of this exhibit is about rotating and having new and different animals and having them available to the classrooms," McGuire shared.
Families will be able to explore underground tunnels, walk through an aviary to feed birds, and have water play.
Fan favorites like prairie dogs and otters will remain, but new additions, including the baby doll sheep and Tasmanian devils, will be added.
The otter display expands as well.
"This exhibit will have about three times the amount of land space that the previous otter exhibit had," McGuire shared.
The education component grows too.
Macek added, "Great new habitats including mara and Chilean flamingos, a variety of other species that really tell the stories about different kinds of families and biodiversity."
A new education building will also double the number of students in its preschool. This will allow the Zoo to offer two full-day preschool classes for the first time.
In a time consumed with technology, Zoo officials believe this space reconnects nature with the young and young at heart.
"I'm just really looking forward to hearing the response from our guests once we're able to open this up, I think they're going to be surprised. I think they're gonna be thrilled," McGuire said.
A $15 million lead gift from the Henry A. Jubel Foundation was given to the project. The overall development is estimated to cost approximately $51 million, with funding coming from a variety of sources, including philanthropy.
Active fundraising is underway to support this project.
McGuire said the average time a zoo goer used to spend at this section was an hour, but now this interactive space could be the main attraction.
Macek said guest attendance this year is the highest it has been since the pandemic and this new section could attract even more guests.
The goal is to open in 2026.
Guest Experiences and Animals
The 2.8-acre area is designed to have close-up encounters with animals in an immersive and hands-on learning environment for guests of all abilities. The following are some of the major experiences within Destination Discovery. These experiences could change.
Animals and Us Building
Guests will start their adventure with an immersive, walk-through projection experience, transitioning them from an urban environment through a Missouri forest and prairie. The images will change throughout the year, reflecting how wildlife experience the seasons.
Underground Cities
The Underground Cities habitats offer up-close encounters with ground-dwelling species, showing how these animals live in communities.
- Prairie dogs — The prairie dog habitat will allow guests to make their way through human-sized tunnels and "pop up" into the animal habitat for nose-to-nose views. In the dig zone, guests can dig their own tunnels alongside the prairie dog town.
- Patagonian mara — This medium-sized, rabbit-like rodent native to Argentina is closely related to the guinea pig and capybara. Guests can see the care teams interacting with these animals in an area, which doubles as an outdoor classroom space for educational programs.
Freshwater Wilderness
This offers interactive animal habitats and play spaces, giving guests a chance to notice the importance of clean water for humans and animals.
- North American river otters — Guests can see North American river otters through windows or swimming overhead through two acrylic water flumes above the walking path.
- Chilean flamingo lagoon — These South American birds will be viewable up close, both above and below the lagoon’s surface.
- Waterplay Area — A large splash pad will be home to animal sculptures and interactive water elements. In the winter, this area will transform into a snow playground, complete with a snow machine.
Forest Families
This area offers guests an opportunity to learn about wild animals living in communities with people.
- Coati — A treehouse-style habitat will offer a view of the active, tree-dwelling coati, native to Central and South America, Mexico and southernmost portions of the U.S.
- Tasmanian devils — The immersive Tasmanian devil exhibit, one of only four devil exhibits in the U.S., will feature a climb-through “hobbit” house with up-close views of the animals in their habitat.
- Babydoll sheep — A walk-through barn and spacious barnyards will be home to a flock of sheep.
Wildlife Overlook Boardwalk
The elevated boardwalk will offer views of the entire site and into the river otter and flamingo habitats. The boardwalk will have live presentations, surprise animal encounters and interactive experiences.
Climbing Structure
Young guests can climb into a huge monarch chrysalis, bounce on a supersized spiderweb, slide down a caterpillar slide and swing on a lacewing egg.
Animal Ambassadors
All the animals in the Zoo’s care are ambassadors for their counterparts in the wild. The ambassador animals in Destination Discovery will meet guests during surprise, up-close encounters and keeper chats. Some of the animals could include a prehensile-tailed porcupine, hawks, owls, toco toucans, a two-toed sloth, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
Education Building
The Living World building at the Zoo’s North Entrance will be expanded and feature a new ADA-accessible, two-story addition dedicated to educational programming.
The second floor of this new space will be home to the nature-based Saint Louis Zoo Preschool, educational classes and other programs throughout the year.
The Discovery Center on the first floor will be an indoor play space where guests can learn about caring for and sharing with wildlife neighbors. The areas will include a maker’s space that will allow guests to create things to help wildlife, an animal pretend play zone, a nature exchange, a habitat building activity, and a dedicated indoor animal encounter area.
Amenities
A gift shop and cafe will be located next to the water play area offering snacks, guest essentials, souvenirs and eco-friendly items.
Guests will have access to changing rooms for waterplay and a drying booth. Lactation rooms and accessible restrooms will be found throughout.