Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Bids Farewell to The RainForest After 30 Years
CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will close its iconic RainForest exhibit after more than three decades to make way for a new Primate Forest attraction. The RainForest, which has been a cornerstone of the zoo since its opening in November 1992, will remain open to visitors through Monday, Sept. 9, after which construction will begin on the new exhibit. The Primate Forest, along with the CrossCountry Mortgage Forest Home, is expected to open in 2026.
“For more than three decades, The RainForest has fostered a connection between our community and the story of rainforests, generating awareness of the value of these habitats and importance of their protection,” said Dr. Christopher Kuhar, Executive Director of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. He added that many people in the community have fond memories of The RainForest, whether from childhood visits, adult outings, or special events like weddings.
The RainForest was once one of the largest and most sophisticated exhibits of its kind, featuring more than 600 animals across 118 species and over 7,000 live plants. The space has been home to popular species including Bornean orangutans, small-clawed otters, clouded leopards, sloths, anteaters, and a variety of amphibians and reptiles. A defining feature of the exhibit, the 40-foot-tall geodesic dome, was replaced in 2021 as part of earlier capital improvements.
The forthcoming Primate Forest will incorporate refreshed and remodeled spaces from The RainForest to create a world-class indoor destination. The 140,000-square-foot project will feature expansive, multi-story habitats designed with state-of-the-art technology to support the wellbeing of gorillas and orangutans. The transformation marks a new era for the zoo, which continues to evolve to meet future needs.
In the lead-up to the RainForest’s closure, the zoo is encouraging visitors to share their memories and photos on social media, celebrating the exhibit's legacy. Groundbreaking for the Primate Forest will commence on Sept. 10, ushering in this new chapter for the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
Additional news coverage on this, from other local networks, can be found at the following sources:
WKYC, "The RainForest set to close as Cleveland Metroparks Zoo prepares for Primate Forest transformation," Available online.
Spectrum News 1, "Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to close decades-old landmark for new Primate Forest," Available online.
Cleveland.com, "Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's RainForest exhibit closing to make way for new Primate Forest," Available online.
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