Pepper Family Wildlife Center Now Open at Lincoln Park Zoo

CHICAGO (October 14, 2021) — Lincoln Park Zoo today opened its new state-of-the-art habitat, Pepper Family Wildlife Center, welcoming lions and other carnivores back to Chicago. The $41 million renovation focuses on animal choices, from thermal comfort zones for cooling and heating to intricate rockwork and climbing trees for vertical complexity.

To celebrate the return of lions to Pepper Family Wildlife Center, various activities and animal programming will be offered throughout opening weekend, October 15-17. Zoogoers can watch the red pandas and Canada lynx receive special enrichment, chat with horticulturists about the savannah-inspired landscape, enjoy lion-themed face painting, and more.

“After years in the making and utilizing scientific data to transform the lion house into a state-of-the-art habitat focused on animal welfare and choice, we are so excited to welcome guests to Pepper Family Wildlife Center and celebrate this gift to Chicago,” says incoming President & CEO Megan Ross, Ph.D. “Visitors will be able to see this majestic species up close and learn more about Lincoln Park Zoo’s conservation efforts to protect African lions in their native range.”

Thanks to a $15 million gift from Roxelyn and the late Richard Pepper, the zoo broke ground on the renovation in December 2019. Pepper Family Wildlife Center is home to a pride of lions, including one male and three females, two red pandas, two Canada lynx, and two snow leopards.

The original lion house was constructed in 1912 and designated a Chicago Landmark in 2005. The Pepper Family Wildlife Center renovation team worked with the Commission on Chicago Landmarks to preserve, restore, and enhance the architecturally significant features of the historic building.

“A journey through Pepper Family Wildlife Center reminds guests of the zoo’s extensive 153-year-old history, with its historic building elements—such as the building’s decorative lion mosaics and vaulted tile ceiling” says Maureen Leahy, vice president of animal care and horticulture. “This new habitat is a shining example of the zoo’s dedication to animal care and welfare, all while celebrating the rich history of the zoo.”

Design of the new lion habitat was informed by data collected over the last several years on lion behavior and space use to understand their preferences, using the Lincoln Park Zoo-created behavior monitoring app, ZooMonitor. The savanna-style lion habitat spans the full northern side of the building and includes intricate rockwork to increase vertical complexity and environmental choices for the lions while providing embedded heating and cooling elements for a climate controlled habitat. Climbing tree structures and deadfall were made from Forest Stewardship Council-certified trees, and food zip lines, simulating prey, were installed for lion feeding and enrichment opportunities.

“With this renovation, the size of the lion habitat nearly doubled and provides the lions with so many choices! Thermal comfort zones, trees for climbing, elevated rocks to give the lions high vantage points, areas to seek privacy, shade, and shelter, and special enrichment features to encourage species-specific behaviors,” says Leahy. “For visitors, the expansive viewing windows provide new opportunities to see these cats up close from both inside and outside the building.”

Guests will have immersive viewing opportunities from both inside and outside Pepper Family Wildlife Center. A unique indoor design element known as the Lion Loop, generously funded by the Women’s Board of Lincoln Park Zoo, enables guests to view the exhibit from the center of the habitat. The new habitat also includes a demonstration training wall where guests can view the lions participating in their own healthcare.

Goettsch Partners is the principal architect and PJA is the exhibit designer for Pepper Family Wildlife Center. Pepper Construction is the General Contractor.

The Pepper Family Wildlife Center is the final phase of The Pride of Chicago, a $135 million capital campaign that began in 2012. To learn more about Lincoln Park Zoo, visit lpzoo.org.

About Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. Visit us at lpzoo.org.

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