Chattanooga Zoo’s Cape of Africa expansion officially open

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Saturday, August 31 2024, the Chattanooga Zoo opened its largest expansion in zoo history.

The Cape of Africa exhibit features new animals such as warthogs, servals, cape porcupines, and aldabra tortoises.

The giraffes also got a new 20,000 square foot yard with a group entrance, water features, and more.

Construction only took about a year, the process began back in September of 2023 costing in total $3.9 million.

“This is a really important moment for the Zoo and for Chattanooga as a whole.  With the completion of The Cape of Africa, we’re bringing long-term developmental plans to fruition and creating new connections between visitors and several fascinating African species,” said CEO of the Chattanooga Zoo, Darde Long.

The Chattanooga Zoo says this new space brings authentic African colors, imagery, textures, imagery, sounds, and more.

If you’d like to take a trip to the zoo and see this new expansion, click here.