Heart of the Zoo

Can YOU Help Rebuild the Heart of the Zoo?

With more than 340,000 guests annually, Zoo Boise is one of the most visited attractions in Idaho. Zoo Boise provides school children, families, and adults opportunities to interact, learn, and be inspired to protect wildlife.

Unfortunately, some of our older exhibits no longer meet Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) standards and the Zoo’s accreditation depends on upgrading these habitats.

Now is the time that we must rebuild the Heart of the Zoo to ensure that Zoo Boise exceeds all standards for animal welfare, provides excellent education opportunities for our community, and leads the way for conservation among zoos.

What We’ve Accomplished So Far!

Here’s what your generosity has made possible…

● The Virginia R. Bartak Red Panda Passage opened in May 2025. It contains unique outdoor homes, indoor day rooms (with space for future red panda cubs), and overhead walkways to allow independent movement between areas.  Zoo curators from across the country have visited to admire this renowned exhibit.

● Zoo Boise’s Trading Outpost also opened in May 2025. With much more floor space and inventory room, this vibrant gift shop carries a great assortment of fun and educational souvenirs, clothing, toys, and more.

● A Giraffe Platform debuted in May 2025 as well. Guests are now able to feed both giraffes at the same time at their level from this elevated deck.

● The remodeled and expanded Small Animal Kingdom brought immersive animal habitats and exciting new species with its opening in October 2025. The Rainforest Building mimics the climate and noises of an actual rainforest, with a genuine soundtrack recorded in Costa Rica.

● In addition to renovations, the reimagined Small Animal Kingdom area now features the new TLC Foundation Small Cat Hideaway, a specially designed home for sand cats.

● Zoo Boise’s newest expansion is the Bews Foundation Conservation and Education Center. This 9,000-foot, two-story campus includes indoor and outdoor learning spaces and offices, a dedicated entrance, and new habitats for the zoo’s ambassador animals. It opened in May 2026.

What Comes Next? Explore the Zoo Boise Master Plan

Even with all of this recent progress, we aren’t done yet!

Some older animal homes, like the penguin exhibit, were identified as a high priority for an upgrade in Zoo Boise’s 2021 Master Plan. To put animal care first and to keep leading in education and conservation, we must continue rebuilding the Heart of the Zoo. Give today to bring more exciting changes to Zoo Boise so we can remain a cornerstone of our community for generations to come.