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hUNTINGTON zOO & aQUARIUM
help us build the huntington zoo & aquarium!
The Zoological Society of West Virginia is excited to announce our newest project in bringing an entire Zoological campus to Southern West Virginia!
With such a large undertaking, the Huntington Zoo & Aquarium is structured as a phased approach with smaller segments planned to open to the public a little at a time rather than making our community wait the proposed 5-7 years for overall completion. Contingent on funding, material and animal availability, the first buildings could be open to the public within the next 2 years.
Phase I - in progress
Funding Needed - $1.5-3 million
Estimated Completion of Phase - Phase I is to be completed within 1 year of funding acquisition
Phase I includes land acquisition, legal fees, groundwork, necessary infrastructure, surveys, and all site prep. Phase I also ensures necessary funding for initial groundbreaking, and preliminary staffing
Phase II-III
Funding Needed - $17-21 million
To be completed over the course of 3-4 years of Phase I completion
Phase II & III includes all associated costs with site construction of the reptile house, science museum, exotic animal veterinary clinic, outbuildings for on-site rehabilitation programs, botanical garden implementation, costs of animal acquisitions and exhibit buildout with necessary equipment. Above mentioned facilities will be open to the public within 6 months of completion of exhibits and necessary infrastructure. Pending sufficient funding, initial buildout of aquarium will also be complete by the end of Phase III
Phase Iv-v
Funding Needed - $16-24 million
Estimated Completion of Phase - Phase IV-V to be completed over the course of 2-3 years of Phase III completion
Phase IV-V includes the completion of the 1.5 million-gallon aquarium and all necessary costs of equipment, life-support supplies, exhibit buildout, animal acquisition, and all other necessary infrastructure to open the aquarium to the public. Phase IV-V will also include the completion of several playgrounds, a splash-park, several shelters, and our Rainforest-themed restaurant.
Phase VI and beyond
Funding Needed - Ongoing
Estimated Completion of Phase - Ongoing
Phase VI and beyond includes our continued efforts to make the Huntington Zoo & Aquarium one of the premier AZA certified Zoos & Aquariums in the world. Visions of multiple acres being annexed for other animal rescues to use are being developed along with birds of prey aviaries, outdoor free-range "bio-dome" environments for endangered species, and even the possibility of expansion into larger mammalian exhibits are in development.