The Dallas Zoo held a groundbreaking ceremony for African Shorelines on Tuesday, Oct. 14. Photo by Victoria Hernandez.
The Dallas Zoo held a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday morning for the coming African Shorelines exhibit.
African Shorelines will expand the habitat for critically endangered African penguins, add underwater viewing areas and incorporate a free-flight area for lesser flamingos. There will also be a new cafe and event space, along with expanded opportunities to showcase animals for guest encounters and education.
Lisa New, CEO of the Dallas Zoo, opened the program expressing anticipation of the first phase of the Safari Trail, the largest capital project in the Zoo’s history. The expansion was approved by Dallas voters in the 2024 Bond program and has also received the support of City and Park and Recreation Department officials.
“African Shorelines will transform this part of the Zoo from the entrance of the tunnel all the way to the hippo entrance into an immersive experience centered on wildlife and connection,” New said at the ceremony. “The new habitat will allow us to grow our African penguin colony into one of the largest in the country, with a diving pool roughly 10 feet deep and space designed to support natural, social, and breeding behaviors, much as you would see them on the beaches in South Africa.”
She added that the celebration was more than just the start of construction.
“It reflects a shared belief that Dallas deserves and expects a world-class zoo that provides outstanding animal care, advances conservation, connects children and families with wildlife, and contributes to the strength and vitality of our city,” New said.
Mayor Eric Johnson speaking at the African Shorelines groundbreaking. Photo by Victoria Hernandez.
Mayor Eric Johnson said that the Zoo’s latest developments pair with the recent addition of Halperin Park, helping southern Dallas to see real, lasting revitalization.
Not only does the Zoo draw Dallasites, but it is a destination for visitors and their dollars.
“In fact, 77% of all zoo patrons come from outside of our city limits,” he said at the ceremony. “That makes this zoo an incredible force multiplier for our city. For every single dollar that’s invested here, we see an $18 return. You don’t have to be an investment professional to know that that’s an incredible return on investment.”
African Shorelines is the first of three exhibits coming with Safari Trails. The exhibit is expected to open in spring 2028 and will be followed by the Wild Grasslands coming by mid-2030 and Okapi Forest coming by late 2030.
