General Information

In 1992, the Los Angeles Zoo Master Plan was approved. This Master Plan includes the Zoo’s development priorities for the next decade and listed the exhibits to be built, renovated and expanded. The Zoo acquired funding for these projects from several sources namely, County Propositions A-1 and A-2, the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA), the Zoo's Enterprise Trust Fund, Proposition K, and Proposition CC, a City bond measure approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles in November 1998. The total cost of the program is $169 million.

The management of the planning, design and construction of these projects was assigned to the Department of Public Work's Bureau of Engineering (BOE). In partnership with the Los Angeles Zoo Department (ZOO), the Bureau of Engineering has completed numerous projects. To date, these include a new Orangutan Exhibit, a new Animal Health Center, the Winnick Family Children's Zoo, a new Front Entry Plaza, a new Sea Lion Exhibit, the Children's Discovery Center, two major artwork installations and numerous utility system improvements.

The Zoo Bond and Capital Improvement Program is currently completing the following projects:

      •    Gorilla Exhibit - Grand Opening held on Nov. 8, 2007

      •    Golden Monkey Exhibit - in construction

      •    Pachyderm Exhibit - in design & in construction

      •    Rain Forest of the Americas Exhibit - in design

      •    Reptile and Insect Interpretive Center - in design

The Golden Monkey Exhibit will be complete by Spring 2008; the Pachyderm Exhibit in late 2009; and the Rainforest of the Americas and Reptile and Insect Interpretive Center in projects 2010.

At the start of the Program, the Mayor and Council established the Zoo Bond Administrative Oversight Committee to oversee the projects at the Zoo. The Committee meets on the last Thursday of every month to review the progress of the program. Members of the Committee are:

      •    Karen L. Sisson, City Administrative Officer - Chair

      •    Gerry Miller, Chief Legislative Analyst

      •    Christopher Espinosa, Mayor's Office

      •    John R. Lewis, Zoo Department General Manager

Note: In order to see detailed information on the status of the Program, please go to
Monthly Status Reports.