MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors approved spending for multiple projects at the Milwaukee County Zoo.
There will be several improvements, including a $16 million dollar project that will bring rhinos back to the zoo.
Tim Wild, curator of large mammals at the zoo, said it’s an exciting time as plans are underway to expand and renovate the Adventure Africa exhibit.
There hasn’t been any rhinos at the zoo since before the pandemic.
“We have had black rhinos for many years and we had to ship our last one out just a few years ago because she was getting to breeding age,” said Wild. “We’re hoping to get a young pair that’s going to be right around that age and ready to start breeding to add to the population.”
Part of the project will be connecting the two 70-year-old buildings in the Adventure Africa exhibit. This will create more space for both guests and the animals.
“We’re going to take all this space in this entire mall and roof it over and give the animals not just more space, but the flexibility to go from one side to the other and access the outdoor exhibits on both sides too,” said Wild.
Communications Coordinator Kimberly Graves said two other projects will make changes to the zoo’s front entrance and to also expand habitat for the outdoor penguins.
The more than $1 million dollar front entrance renovation will help reduce traffic that builds up on Bluemound Road when purchasing tickets and move ticketing closer to the pedestrian entrance.
As plans move forward, she’s encouraging guests to be patient while the renovations are underway.
“For the next few years the zoo might look a little different, but it’s all for the best,” said Graves. “Not just a better experience for our guests, but also for the animals who call the zoo home.”
Construction on the new rhino project is expected to start in May of 2024 and be complete in 2025.