Construction underway for Pittsburgh Zoo's Jungle Odyssey

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium has welcomed its one millionth visitor to The Islands exhibit, as construction for the second phase of its ongoing development project gets underway.

The Islands opened last June and is the first phase of the zoo’s Top of the World development project, which will be situated on the remaining six acres of the zoo’s property. Top of the World will include state-of-the-art animal habitats, which will feature up-close views of new endangered and threatened animals, according to the zoo.

Since the opening of The Islands, visitors have been given the opportunity to see endangered species, including Philippine crocodiles, siamangs, Visayan warty pigs and clouded leopards. %

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Construction has begun on the second phase of Top of the World, Jungle Odyssey. It will offer a jungle environment for animals, including the giant anteater, pygmy hippopotamus, ocelot, capybara and fossa.

Future additions to Top of the World will include mountain-inspired habitats and an indoor conservation solarium that will house reptiles.

Meanwhile, construction of the African elephant Maternal Health Care Center at the zoo's International Conservation Center in Somerset County is expected to be completed later this summer. According to the zoo, “The 37,000-square-foot home is designed to enhance the reproductive success of endangered African elephants in a natural herd environment.”

Cox Media Group