Cincinnati Zoo Takes Visitors ‘Down Under’ with Roo Valley Exhibit

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: August 17, 2020 8:20 pm

File photo of a kangaroo. The species featured in the exhibit.

Photo Credit: By Paul Holloway from Birmingham, United Kingdom (Roo  Uploaded by Fæ) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Visitors to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden will get a glimpse of the land down under as their new Roo Valley exhibit opens tomorrow, August 18th.

The new exhibit includes the first kangaroo walk-through at the zoo, a habitat for little blue penguins and a beer garden.

The little penguins explore their new habitat.

Photo Credit: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard said, “It feels like you’ve entered another world when you’re in the walkabout. It’s lush and beautiful with kangaroos right next to you! And right around the corner you get face to face with 30+ penguins splashing around in crystal clear water.”

“Our habitat designers worked with animal staff to better understand the needs and preferences of both species,” said Maynard. “As a result, there are enrichment opportunities, such as nooks in the rockwork where keepers can hide favorite foods, built in throughout both animal habitats. These features promote natural behaviors for overall optimal health and wellbeing.”

Roo Valley is an awesome exhibit for visitors to explore but some of its best features are behind the scenes. A range of green initiatives have been implemented in the habitat. These include 100% of the water used in the exhibit being rainwater that is collected and stored in tanks under the habitat. There is also a green roof over the penguin habitat and a geothermal well which is used to help heat and cool the penguin pool.

In 2021 the area will be completed with the addition of an ADA accessible ropes course called Kanga Klimb.

The Kangaroos explore their new exhibit at the zoo

Photo Credit: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

The completion of Roo Valley is phase 2 of the zoo’s more home to roam campaign. This is a $150 million plan to transform the Cincinnati Zoo in to the future.

“We’re thrilled that we were able to complete Roo Valley and are resuming efforts to raise funds that will allow us to realize the ultimate goal of More Home to Roam, which is to build an Asian elephant habitat that goes further than ever to recognize and accommodate the biological instincts of these amazing creatures,” finished Maynard.

Learn more about the Cincinnati Zoo and Roo Valley on their website – Cincinnati Zoo