Saint Louis Zoo To Buy 425 Acres In The North County

ST. LOUIS, MO — The Saint Louis Zoo announced Friday that it plans to purchase a 425-acre complex in north St. Louis County, pending a due diligence assessment of the agreement. The zoo will pay $7.1 million for the site, which it is buying from the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562, and the money will come from privately-donated funds.

“We have long desired an expanded land area to provide the best possible care for animals, especially a place where we can focus on conservation breeding efforts with endangered animals and those that are at risk,” said Jeffrey Bonner, the zoo's CEO. “There are very few parcels of land in the metropolitan area that could meet this need and we are grateful to have entered into this agreement with Local 562. The property offers great terrain, perimeter fencing, utilities, lakes, good buffers surrounding and existing buildings."

Joseph Ambrose, president of the Saint Louis Zoo Association, said no taxpayer dollars would be used to make the purchase.

The zoo plans to develop the property with the goal of caring for threatened and endangered animals. Though specific details aren't yet available, there will likely be a public component to the property, officials said, similar to offsite conservation and breeding facilities at other zoos, which often feature a safari-like experience for visitors.

“We are committed to maintaining our century-old campus in Forest Park, which has significant infrastructure needs, including modernization of habitats to meet evolving standards of care. We also have a tremendous need for additional space,” Bonner said. “Today’s announcement sets forth a bright and optimistic path for one of America’s great zoological gems.”

Photo by J. Ryne Danielson/Patch