ASHEBORO, N.C. (ACME NEWS) — The North Carolina Zoo officially began construction on Asia this morning, marking the start of the Zoo’s first major continental expansion in nearly three decades.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Zoo staff, city and county officials, state elected representatives, media representatives, and representatives from companies and organizations involved in the project’s construction and planning.
The 10-acre continent is expected to take approximately three years to complete, with an anticipated opening in summer or fall 2026.
The new continent will feature multiple species, including tigers, Komodo dragons, Chinese alligators, small-clawed otters and wrinkled hornbills. Dr. Jb Minter, the Zoo’s director of animal health, said the expansion will require additional staff to care for the incoming animals.
“Asia has been a long time coming,” said Walker Moffitt, North Carolina Zoo Council chairman and Asheboro Mayor Pro Tempore.
The groundbreaking comes shortly after the Zoo set a new attendance record, welcoming 1 million visitors during the 2021-2022 fiscal year. Zoo Director Pat Simmons said she hopes Asia will help push annual attendance to 1.5 million.
Looking further ahead, the Zoo has allocated $2 million toward the design of Australia, the next planned continent addition. The expansion is part of the Zoo’s long-term vision to become a multi-day destination for visitors.
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