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Fort Worth Zoo Announces $18 Million Creation
Zoo solidifies efforts to save amphibians and reptiles with 30,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art complex
FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Fort Worth Zoo's Executive Director and Fort Worth Mayor unveiled plans today to construct an $18 million, 30,000 square-foot herpetological facility, which will house 165 amphibian and reptile species, representing about 900 animals.
In response to the recent global amphibian crisis (32% of the world's amphibians are facing extinction in the next five to 10 years), the Fort Worth Zoo prioritized housing, research and breeding amphibians in a building specifically designed to meet the animals' needs. The new facility, dubbed Museum of Living Art (MOLA), will include spacious, humidity-controlled exhibits and state-of-the-art conservation tools, such as quarantine rooms and hibernaculums that facilitate the breeding of rare, endangered and critically endangered animals.
Open encounter areas encourage discussion and education and allow guests to come face-to-face with exotic reptiles such the Fiji Island iguana, or the Puerto Rican crested toad. Complete with an Outdoor Classroom and correlating activities such as backpack tours and keeper chats, MOLA will also share messages of environmental stewardship with guests, students and teachers throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.
Scheduled to open spring 2009, the Zoo's new Herpetarium will represent the only one of its kind in the world --- impressive not only for the diverse and rare animal collection it houses, but also for its rare architecture and building design.
"The building's design incorporates the latest concepts in efficient energy use and use of sustainable materials," said Gary Lee, senior principal of CLR Design, Inc. "MOLA encourages visitors to explore art from the living world, and is literally the next generation of zoo architecture and habitat design."
MOLA design plans also include an iconic and architecturally significant snakeskin sky covering throughout the building's interior. The sky covering was conceptualized by architectural firm Lake:Flato of San Antonio, TX.
The design of this building will help introduce a concept we term eco-realism --- "green" with a twist. Eco-realism embraces the idea that with wise use and sustainable practices man can make practical, real-life choices while minimizing the effects on the environment. This concept will become reality as water, our most important resource, plays a leading role in MOLA. Rain collection systems and cisterns will be on display as prime examples of practical and self-sustaining practices.
MOLA will replace the Zoo's current Herpetarium built in 1960. Although the world renowned facility has witnessed many first-time breedings in the last 46 years, time has taken its toll, and major sections of the 9,000-square-foot building are in complete disrepair (collapsed plumbing, sub-par holding facilities, no quarantine areas, outdated electrical support), creating conditions that challenge future breeding and conservation efforts, not to mention guest enjoyment and comfort.
Source: Fort Worth Zoo
CONTACT: Lindsay Nantz Hoover, PR Director, ,
, or Remecka Owens, Communications Manager,
, both of the Fort Worth Zoo
Web Site: http://www.fortworthzoo.org/
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