It’s a new year, and there’s a lot to look forward to at the Milwaukee County Zoo. 

Bobbie Rogers and her sons Cameron Cole are big fans of the Milwaukee County Zoo. They visit once a month, sometimes twice during the summer.

“We just love all the different animals, and everything they can learn from being here.” Rogers said.

So they’re excited for all the renovations coming to the Adventure Africa area, with new elephant, hippo and rhino exhibits.

“I think it’s great, I mean all the different exhibits they’re updating, and making the exhibits better," Rogers said. "And again, more learning experiences for the kids.”

Especially the hippo exhibit, which will include underwater viewing of the hippos and a filtration system that will save 20 million gallons of water a year.

“It happens to be my two-year-old’s favorite, so he’s excited for the new hippo [exhibit].” Rogers said.

The opening of the new elephant exhibit will be announced in early May…

“We have multiplied the space, we have created more indoor space," President of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee Jodi Gibson said. "I think people will be really blown away when that opens, so I hope people come out and see that.”

But the hippo and rhino exhibits still need some help.

The Zoological Society of Milwaukee has raised $17.8 million of a $25 million goal. So they’re asking everyone to pitch in toward the final push.

“This area hasn’t seen a lot of change since the 1960s, so when I was a little girl, this is what the exhibit looked like," Gibson said. "So it’s about time we make some updates and upgrades to the area.”

With the changes, Rogers hope more people will come to love the zoo like her and her sons.

“It is a big deal, and I think it’ll bring more excitement for people that don’t come often," Rogers said. "And hopefully more people will decide to come and check things out.”

Those interested can visit zoosociety.org.