Cleveland Zoo Opens First Phase of Primate Forest
Cleveland-area visitors can now see orangutans outdoors in an expanded 65-species exhibit area.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Wildlife
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo opened the first phase of its Primate Forest, renovating more than 63,000 square feet of the former RainForest building and adding over 33,500 square feet of new construction. The expanded area is home to 65 animal species, and the full project is expected to be completed by 2032.
Why it matters
For Cleveland-area families, the zoo is a major local destination, and this expansion reflects a $120 million, multi-phase investment in the region's flagship animal attraction. The project was designed to bring animal wellbeing, conservation and guest experiences together in one place.
The first phase cost approximately US$70 million of the complete US$120 million project, funded through zoo capital funds, philanthropic support, partnerships and state capital funds. The first phase added an expanded Orangutan Forest where the orangutans can now go outdoors for the first time.
The players
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
The Cleveland institution known for its primate exhibits and conservation programs, with a long-running animal wellbeing and guest experience focus.
The details
The first phase renovated the former RainForest building and connected new construction to it, creating a two-storey dayroom that links the indoor and outdoor orangutan habitats. A Care and Conservation Center brings the zoo's work with toads, turtles and snakes into the visitor experience. The full Primate Forest is projected to cover approximately 140,000 square feet once finished.
Timeline
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo opened the first phase of Primate Forest on November 3, 2026.
The full Primate Forest is expected to be completed by 2032, the zoo's 150th anniversary.
The Home Front
Zoo expansions like this one sit within Cleveland's broader pattern of investing in regional attractions funded by a mix of public capital and private philanthropy. The phased, multi-year funding model mirrors how the Metroparks system has grown its major facilities over time.
If you plan a visit, the new Orangutan Forest and Care and Conservation Center are now open and can be added to a family outing. Families with an interest in conservation can explore the zoo's work with toads, turtles and snakes firsthand.
The takeaway
The Primate Forest expansion shows how a major local attraction is being built in phases over several years rather than all at once. Families planning zoo trips can check the zoo's current exhibit schedule before visiting as the remaining phases continue toward 2032.
What happens next
The full Primate Forest project is expected to be completed by 2032, the zoo's 150th anniversary year.
Further reading
For more on animal habitats and conservation, see the Wildlife section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Leisureopportunities.
