AKRON, Ohio (AP) — The Akron Zoo in Ohio has announced a $17 million expansion plan that includes a new exhibit featuring lions and tigers.
Zoo officials say the Pride of Africa area will open in May 2019, and the Wild Asia area will open in summer 2020.
The zoo will also expand its train ride and add a new splash pad.
The expansion is taking place on 3 undeveloped acres of land that the zoo acquired several years ago from the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority.
Zoo President and CEO Doug Piekarz says the two wildlife areas will be the zoo's "largest expansion to date."
Zoo officials say they will pay for the project with $11 million raised from a tax levy. The rest of the project will be funded through donations.
