Home / Environment / Dallas Zoo's 'African Shorelines' to Open 2028
Dallas Zoo's 'African Shorelines' to Open 2028
25 Jul
Summary
- New habitat for endangered penguins and flamingos.
- Zoo aims to increase penguin population to 50.
- Expansion funded by $120 million capital campaign.
Construction is scheduled to commence later this year on "African Shorelines" at the Dallas Zoo, a new attraction planned to open in 2028. This development will introduce habitats designed for endangered penguins and lesser flamingos, significantly expanding the zoo's capacity to care for these species.
The "African Shorelines" experience will allow visitors to observe African penguins underwater and will enable the zoo to house at least 50 penguins, up from the current approximately 15. Additionally, a netted habitat will allow lesser flamingos to fly freely, complemented by a new indoor cafe with views of both enclosures.
This project is the first phase of the expansive Safari Trail, a major zoo expansion funded by the Wild Horizons capital campaign. The zoo has raised $79 million of its $120 million goal, bolstered by $30 million in bond funding approved by Dallas voters in 2024. Future phases will include "Wild Grasslands" and "Okapi Forest," with the entire Safari Trail expected to be completed by 2030.
