African Journey Exhibit opens Saturday

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Over the years, significant improvements have been made to the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. The African Journey exhibit was the biggest project in the zoo's history. It involved a complete makeover of what used to be known as the African Veldt.

After two years of fundraising and three years of construction at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, the African Journey exhibit will open to the public on June 6. It's a project of which everyone at the zoo is very proud, said Zoo Director, Jim Anderson.

"We can't wait to get guests in here to see [everything]," said Anderson.

The new African Journey winds through 20 acres of land; roaming throughout are 85 different animals.

"There's a whole list of animals people have never seen in Fort Wayne before," said Anderson. The new animals include two spotted hyenas, bat-eared fox, honey badgers and several others. Also, eager to meet zoo goers are "Bill" and "Ina" the adult African lions.

"You can get on the internet and see a picture of a lion, or you can watch them in action on PBS. But, here we try to put people up close, face to face," said Anderson.

The African Journey could not have been made possible without community support.  "Almost 900 different donors helped put together $9 million to do all of this," said Anderson.

The African Journey debuts on Saturday, June 6 with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m. The zoo is open daily from 9:00-5:00 until October 11. Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for children 2-14 years old and $10 for seniors.

The Zoo is open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., 7 days-a-week from April 18 to October 11, 2009.