DENVER ZOO BREAKS GROUND ON 10-ACRE ASIAN TROPICS EXHIBIT - Kiewit Building Group Makes Bold Start for Asian Animal Exhibit & Conservation Center
Guests of Denver Zoo’s groundbreaking for its new exhibit, Asian Tropics, were treated to an event of elephantine proportions today. After listening to Mayor John Hickenlooper discuss his excitement for the project, those in attendance may have expected a few dignitaries to scoop some dirt for cameras. Instead they were surprised to see a large front end loader leading a throng of zoo staff and volunteers plow through a former concessions building on the site where Asian Tropics will stand. The dramatic event symbolized the scope of what the Zoo’s largest conservation project will achieve.
“Today is the culmination of years of hard work that will bring jobs to the area, integrate green initiatives and, of course, support wildlife,” said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. “We owe a special thanks to Denver voters who made this project possible through their support of the Zoo Improvements Bond initiative. Asian Tropics will continue Denver Zoo’s tradition of developing innovative exhibits for animals and fun, educational experiences for children and families.”
Occupying 10-acres on the southern edge of the zoo, Asian Tropics will be a $50 million conservation center devoted to highly-endangered Asian species including elephants, Indian rhinos and Malayan tapirs. The expansive complex will allow visitors to explore and discover the rich history of animals in Asian culture, their complicated relationship with humans and the efforts Denver Zoo and its partners around the world are taking to protect their futures. Zoo Improvements Bond Fund approved by voters in 1999 to revitalize the zoo will fund half of the project with the balance coming from private donations.
Asian Tropics will play a vital role in the conservation of many endangered Asian animals. “With less than 35,000 Asian elephants and only 3,000 Indian rhinos left on our planet, we must take a multi-pronged approach to preserve a future for these precious animals,” said Denver Zoological Foundation Board Chairman Patrick Green. “Asian Tropics will serve as a conservation center, educating Denver Zoo’s 1.9 million visitors on the plight of these animals and inspiring them to become involved in the effort to take action in support of animal conservation. The exhibit will also be linked with Denver Zoo’s growing field conservation programs in tropical Asia focused on finding practical ways to resolve human/animal conflicts.”
A leader in environmental stewardship, Denver Zoo is seeking LEED certification for Asian Tropics. Plans are also in place to power the exhibit with a biomass gasification system. This green technological breakthrough will convert the zoo’s diverse waste stream of animal waste and human trash into a usable combustible gas. The gasifier will support the Zoo’s efforts to reduce its landfill contributions by more than 90 percent, eliminating 1.5 million pounds of trash currently going to landfills annually and reducing energy and waste hauling costs by $150,000 a year.
“Asian Tropics will fulfill two of our most important goals,” noted Denver Zoo President/CEO Craig Piper. “It will be a center for Denver’s Zoo’s work here and across the globe to secure a future for elephants and other endangered species, but will also demonstrate our commitment to sustainable business practices and reduce our own environmental impact. We hope to help other Colorado businesses adopt greener practices that also improve their bottom lines.”
The exhibit will also support the local economy. More than 300 workers will be employed during the two-year construction period. Once built, the zoo will employ a number of additional staff to operate the new facilities.
Denver Zoo is proud to announce the Kiewit Building Group has been awarded the construction contract. The 125-year-old company has a strong local resume having previously completed the T-REX mass transit project as well as Denver Zoo’s Bird Propagation Center in 2007.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to construct this unique and challenging project,” said Kiewit Project Executive Chris Bantner. “We are proud to contribute our expertise to make this a one-of-a-kind facility a reality for the people of Denver.”
Asian Tropics construction will take two years to complete. The zoo will remain open throughout construction and all major pathways will remain open for the duration of the project.
New Video!
Later this spring, areas within Denver Zoo will be transformed by unique artifacts direct from Thailand. Just a few weeks ago, zoo staff unloaded an entire shipping container of cultural and historical items that will find a future home in Asian Tropics.
The purchases were part of a multi-faceted trip last June by Public Programs Director Brad Parks, Curator Dale Leeds, Zoo Volunteer Joanna Scott Picher, and Seth Frankel, a partner with ECOS Communications, a Boulder design firm creating educational graphics for Asian Tropics.
The trip allowed our team to develop a greater understanding of Asian culture and local efforts and challenges in conserving endangered animals. With this research, we’re now investigating potential new conservation partnerships, and how we can play a greater role in helping some of the world’s most threatened wildlife.
According to Curator Dale Leeds: “My personal opinion at this point in time is that Thai elephants in human care might have a secure future. With quality management and recent increases in successful breeding, it is possible that their population could be stabilized. The wild population, however, is in a much more dire situation. We were exceptionally lucky to see wild elephants on this trip. With ever increasing human population, increasing human/elephant conflict, and continual loss of habitat, wild elephants are in real trouble. This is why Denver Zoo’s contributions to elephant conservation are so important. We are just scratching the surface of the work that will continue to grow over time. We will continue our good work with our elephants here; we will continue our work to resolve human/elephant conflicts in their native lands; and we are all looking forward to even greater possibilities to protect a future for elephants and other Asian wildlife to come with the new Asian Tropics exhibit.”
SITE WORK UNDERWAY!
Denver Zoo currently is finalizing its plans for Asian Tropics, a landmark exhibit which will occupy 10-acres on the southern edge of the zoo. In order for this highly anticipated project to begin in 2009, the zoo is performing several preparatory measures. Because these are happening primarily in behind-the-scenes service areas, you may not notice the activity taking place!
The zoo must relocate or rebuild many of the service facilities currently housed at the future site of Asian Tropics. These include facilities for concession deliveries, waste management, general storage, grounds equipment, and hay storage. All of these operations will move from their current
location on the south side of the zoo to a new location bordering the northwest zoo boundary. Construction is scheduled to be completed on these buildings by late spring 2009. The zoo then will undergo a thorough
“house-cleaning”, moving existing operations to their new homes, and relocating all materials to new locations. This is an exciting step in preparing for Asian Tropics construction.
What is Asian Tropics?
Imagine watching majestic Asian elephants care for their young, Indian one-horned rhinos cooling off in a shallow stream, acrobatic gibbons swinging overhead from tree to tree, fishing cats diving for their next meal and the piercing stare of a black leopard, all from the center of an Asian village. These, and a host of other experiences, soon will be possible without leaving Denver. Asian Tropics will be the new home for some of the zoo’s most beloved animals in addition to a number of important new species.
Occupying 10-acres on the southern edge of the zoo, Asian Tropics’ expansive complex will allow visitors to explore and discover the rich history of animals in Asian culture, their complicated relationship with humans and the efforts of Denver Zoo and its partners around the world to protect their futures.
The map below shows the 10-acre Asian Tropics exhibit in its location along the southern edge of Denver Zoo.
“Today is the culmination of years of hard work that will bring jobs to the area, integrate green initiatives and, of course, support wildlife,” said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. “We owe a special thanks to Denver voters who made this project possible through their support of the Zoo Improvements Bond initiative. Asian Tropics will continue Denver Zoo’s tradition of developing innovative exhibits for animals and fun, educational experiences for children and families.”
A leader in environmental stewardship, Denver Zoo is seeking LEED certification for Asian Tropics. Plans are also in place to power the exhibit with a biomass gasification system. This green technological breakthrough will convert the zoo’s diverse waste stream of animal waste and human trash into a usable combustible gas. The gasifier will support the Zoo’s efforts to reduce its landfill contributions by more than 90 percent, eliminating 1.5 million pounds of trash currently going to landfills annually and reducing energy and waste hauling costs by $150,000 a year.
The exhibit will also support the local economy. More than 300 workers will be employed during the two-year construction period. Once built, the zoo will employ a number of additional staff to operate the new facilities.
Imagine watching majestic Asian elephants care for their young, Indian one-horned rhinos cooling off in a shallow stream, acrobatic gibbons swinging overhead from tree to tree, fishing cats diving for their next meal and the piercing stare of a black leopard, all from the center of an Asian village. These, and a host of other experiences, soon will be possible without leaving Denver. Asian Tropics will be the new home for some of the zoo’s most beloved animals in addition to a number of important new species. 
