Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium Getting Major Makeover

PITTSBURGH, PA — Major changes are coming to the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, which on Thursday released a two-decade master plan whose impact will be evident as early as next month.

Among the initial plans over the next five-to-seven years: a new front entrance, a modern and expanded giraffe barn, an upgraded orangutan habitat and the zoo's education complex.

“The master plan blends our rich history with cutting-edge technology and innovation,” Zoo CEO Jeremy Goodman said in a statement. “Our footprint will be revitalized and energized with dynamic habitats and updated facilities, with a major concentration on animal well-being.”

Beginning at the entry gates, visitors will see a temporary entrance path implemented in November. The new front gates, to be opened in early summer 2025, will come with a new and modernized entry process. Green spaces and restrooms will also be introduced to the area.

Early animal habitat changes include a new state-of-the-art giraffe barn, which will provide a large dayroom, year-round viewing, opportunities for public interactions and feedings, and ample hay storage for resident favorites Lewis and Sox. An expanded giraffe yard, with a direct connection to the new barn, will also allow for a longer outdoor season.

There also will be a new multi-level outdoor habitat and location for one of the Zoo’s most popular primates, the Bornean orangutan. The new island centerpiece, once completed at the zoo's highest point, will be the home of orangutans, siamang, and Malayan tapirs.

The education complex, will be updated and expanded to include a additional classrooms, larger housing for the zoo’s growing Ambassador Animal collection, office space, and a full-time, licensed preschool.