04/28/2026
has opened its long-awaited Forest Trailhead—home to over 20 species, including Carson the red panda, Rocket the tree kangaroo, kea parrots, and a variety of reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
Designed by and built by Sellen to be fully accessible, sustainable, and beautiful, the new exhibit will “immerse guests in the wildlife and habitats of the world’s forests, home to the greatest diversity of wildlife on land, and offer a hopeful view on the future of forests and the people and animals who depend on them,” said the Zoo.
The 12,000-SF building and one-acre site embody the Zoo’s commitment to sustainability and global forest conservation. Pursuing LEED Gold certification, the facility features sustainably harvested mass timber, solar panels, bird-safe windows, passive cooling, repurposed perching, rain gardens, and pervious pathways. From the building canopy to the living networks in the habitats below, the exhibit serves as a dynamic classroom to foster connections between forests, wildlife, and people.
