Zoo Atlanta Breaks Ground on New Reptile Center

GRANT PARK — Zoo Atlanta leaders and staff on Tuesday ceremonially broke ground on the Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience project, the new exhibit space scheduled to open in late 2015.

The Scaly Slimy Spectacular project represents the zoo's largest fundraising effort in its history.

Zoo Atlanta has raised just under $22 million as part of an ongoing capital campaign to fund the roughly 14,000-square-foot experience, with a goal of raising an additional $1.4 million over the next few months.

“We’re standing on the cornerstone of a new era for Zoo Atlanta. Our community has shown willingness to make a significant investment in the future of the zoo,” said Raymond B. King, Zoo Atlanta's president and chief executive.

“We hope that as the public aspect of our capital campaign continues, zoo members, families and guests will also want to play a personal role in seeing history being made with what will truly be a world-class experience for Atlantans and Georgians.”

Scaly Slimy Spectacular will replace the 51-year-old World of Reptiles, the Zoo’s oldest building still in use for public exhibits. The new complex will be erected on a separate site which has not been accessible to the general public in decades.

There are more than 450 reptiles and amphibians at Zoo Atlanta, but a sizable portion of these animals have not been on exhibit as a result of space constraints in the World of Reptiles. Scaly Slimy Spectacular will provide naturalistic new homes for members of the existing collection while introducing large crocodilians and other exciting new arrivals.

The complex will feature interactive indoor venues and state-of-the-art exhibits showcasing the amazing extremes in size, speed, color and behavior that make reptiles and amphibians such compelling animals to observe, study, and protect.