GRAND OPENING MARCH 10!
March 10, 2023, the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center will open the largest habitat in its history. Giraffe & Friends will serve as the year-round home to the Reticulated Giraffe, and new “friends,” Lesser Kudu, Ostrich, Grey Crowned Crane, and Thomson’s Gazelle. The habitat will interact with the Zoo’s African safari-themed project, Camp Cowabunga, opened in 2018.
Part of its larger Master Plan, the Topeka Zoo plans to bring new and exciting features while maintaining its foundation as a conservation-based, educational destination for families in the community.
BECOME IMMERSED
With guest feeding opportunities, both inside and outside, you will be even closer to these gentle giants!
MODERN AMENITIES
The experience includes three new barns. The giraffe barn will feature a giant indoor giraffe playroom, maternity room, and training suite.
NEW FRIENDS
The three-acre savannah will feature new animals, Lesser Kudu, Thomson's Gazelle, and more!
SECONDARY ENTRANCE
A secondary entrance will be added to allow access to buses during field trips, and events like Boo at the Zoo. It will connect to future expanded parking. Learn more about groups and field trips here!
It’s All About Giraffes! ...and their friends!
Born in 1970 at the Topeka Zoo, Sunflower was the first giraffe born in Kansas. The same building where Sunflower was born still houses the giraffe herd at the Topeka Zoo today. By all accounts, the 1966 building that houses the giraffe is out of date and no longer meets space standards. After considering renovating their current facility, it was determined that building a new facility in an undeveloped area of the zoo would be more cost-effective.
The new animal barns will provide modern amenities for the health and well-being of our giraffe and friends, including a giant indoor giraffe playroom, maternity room, training suite, and both an indoor and outdoor feeding platform for the guests to get up close and personal with the giraffe.
When completed, the Giraffe and Friends multispecies exhibit will join 25 other structures on the Zoo's 34 developed acres.
The exhibit will serve as the year-round home to Reticulated Giraffe, Lesser Kudu, Ostrich, Bontebok, Grey Crowned Crane, and Thomson’s Gazelle.
The animals will also have an outdoor habitat that will wrap around Camp Cowabunga completing the immersive safari experience. The animal’s indoor space will have state-of-the-art features in both barns.
The new animal barns will provide modern amenities for the health and well-being of our giraffe and friends, including a giant indoor giraffe playroom, maternity room, training suite, and both an indoor and outdoor feeding platform for the guests to get up close and personal with the giraffe.
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