LITTLE ROCK (October 21, 2026)— If you’ve visited the Little Rock Zoo recently, you may have noticed some BIG changes taking shape near the front of the Zoo!
After months of watching buildings rise, habitat structures take shape and major construction unfold, Project Zoo: Wildly Reimagined is entering an exciting new phase—and it’s becoming much easier to picture what the finished area will eventually look like.
Exhibit fencing is now in place at the new anteater habitat.
Pathway installation is underway throughout the site.
Some of the most visible finishing elements are now falling into place, while specialized construction crews are beginning to wrap up their work.
In other words: we’re approaching the final phases of construction!
But construction is only one part of bringing this project to life. There’s still plenty of work ahead before these new spaces are ready to welcome guests.
Newly completed pathways around the amphitheater are beginning to define the space.
Indoor amenities for the animals are taking shape. Pictured here is the indoor area of the tortoise barn.
The New Spaces Are Taking Shape
Some of the biggest changes happening right now are also some of the easiest to see.
New pathways and sidewalks are being poured throughout the area, habitat fencing is going up, and the newly updated amphitheater is beginning to take its final shape.
Pathway installation is underway near the indoor viewing areas for the new anteater and capybara and squirrel monkey habitats.
It’s becoming much easier to see how all of these new spaces will eventually connect. Pathways are beginning to define how guests will move through the area, fencing is outlining the new animal habitats, and the amphitheater is looking more and more like the refreshed gathering space it will become.
Exhibit fencing is going up around the new anteater habitat.
Portions of the outdoor anteater habitat will feature glass viewing windows.
Behind the scenes, specialized crews are also wrapping up work on pieces like shift doors, which allow Animal Care staff to safely move animals between different areas of their habitats. These important behind-the-scenes features help keep daily animal care running safely and smoothly and are another step toward preparing the new habitats for their future residents.
After months of seeing individual buildings, poles, netting and other major structures go up, these latest additions are helping transform the construction zone into something that looks much more like the reimagined Zoo experience to come.
Animal shift doors are being installed throughout the new habitats, which will allow Animal Care staff to safely move animals between different areas of their habitats.
Indoor amenities for the animals are taking shape. Here’s a closer look at the climbing structures being installed in the lemur indoor viewing area.
Construction Is Only One Part of the Process
As major construction moves closer to completion, the next phase of work will start taking center stage.
One of the biggest steps will be preparing the new spaces for their highly anticipated new residents!
Our Animal Care team is working through the complex process of coordinating animal moves, transportation, quarantine requirements and the individual needs of each species.
Some of the animals that will eventually call these new habitats home will be arriving from other facilities, which means their moves require careful coordination and planning. Others, including our Aldabra tortoises and giant anteaters, already call the Little Rock Zoo home, giving our team a little more flexibility as the remaining work is completed.
As habitats become ready, animals can begin moving into their new spaces and getting comfortable with their surroundings.
And yes—that means we’re getting closer to welcoming some highly anticipated new faces, too.
We’re looking at you, capybaras!
But even seeing animals begin to settle into the new area won’t mean we’re ready to open the doors just yet.
Shade structures will keep the amphitheater seating area cool and comfortable.
More intimate seating will create opportunities for guests to connect with the animals.
From Construction Site to Zoo Experience
There’s a big difference between finishing construction and creating a space that’s truly ready for animals and guests.
Once the major construction work wraps up, several Little Rock Zoo teams will continue working behind the scenes to bring the area fully to life.
Our dedicated Horticulture team will begin landscaping the new spaces, adding plants and natural elements that will help transform the site and complete the look and feel of the area.
Work is also already underway on the educational experience guests will find throughout the new spaces. Our Education team is currently developing the interpretive content that will introduce you to the animals, share information about their behaviors and natural habitats, highlight conservation efforts and help connect what you see at the Zoo with wildlife around the world.
Once that content is finalized, the next phase begins: transforming it into the finished signs you’ll see throughout the area. As our Horticulture team brings the landscape to life, signage will move through final design, production and installation, adding another important layer to the completed guest experience.
Meanwhile, our Animal Care teams will be helping animals adjust to their new surroundings, establish routines and become comfortable navigating their new habitats.
Plants need time to take root. Animals need time to settle in. Signs need to go up. Finishing touches need to be completed.
Bringing It All Together
Project Zoo: Wildly Reimagined is creating a completely reimagined experience near the front of the Zoo, including new and expanded spaces for giant anteaters, capybaras and squirrel monkeys, Aldabra tortoises and lemurs, along with improvements to the amphitheater and other guest spaces.
We know you’re excited to experience it—and trust us, we’re excited, too!
But creating something this special takes time. We appreciate your patience while our teams work through all of those important details to create a Zoo that’s even better for everyone who calls it home and everyone who comes to visit.
Get Ready—the Capys Are Coming!
While there’s still work ahead, you don’t have to wait to start getting excited about what’s coming.
Already capybara crazy? Take it one step further and claim a capy of your own! Adopt one of our colorful capybara sculptures and you’ll receive special recognition at the new exhibit—plus an invitation to an exclusive preview of the new space before it opens to the public.
It’s a fun way to leave your mark on this exciting new chapter at the Little Rock Zoo while supporting the Zoo and helping us bring these new experiences to life.
And our Zoo Members won’t be far behind! Members will be among the first to explore the new exhibits once they are ready for guests. Plus, with a full year of Zoo visits and Member benefits, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to come back and visit all those new faces again and again.
So, if you’ve been thinking about becoming a Member, there’s never been a more exciting time to join the Little Rock Zoo!
The transformation is taking shape. New adventures are getting closer. And the capys are coming!
