WELD COUNTY, Colo. — Denver Zoo announced plans on Thursday to open a new 570-acre facility in Weld County.
The Lembke Family Preserve will not be open to the public.
Construction on facilities and infrastructure are in development on the facility, which will be developed in two phases.
Denver Zoo said that in phase one, the Weld County facility will expand the zoo's Species Survival Plans breeding efforts and provide more space for its growing animal families and the potential to add new species to its program.
The facility will also increase Denver Zoo's animal shifting and holding capacity with more space for temporary relocations for habitat maintenance and renovations at the Denver campus.
In phase two, Denver Zoo said it plans to transform the facility into a conservation center focused on conservation breeding and wild reintroduction of species that are threatened or endangered.
"The Lembke Family Preserve represents the start of a new era for Denver Zoo and will dramatically expand our capabilities for our animals and Colorado wildlife as we build it out in the coming years," said Bert Vescolani, President and CEO of Denver Zoo. "We are deeply grateful to the Lembke family for their generosity and mutual understanding that saving wildlife for future generations requires a dedicated community of donors, members, partners and neighbors."
"Denver Zoo has been part of our family tradition since the late 1950s. Both Carol and I loved visiting the old zoo of our childhood, and we took our kids there many times," Bob Lembke said. "It’s always a special family outing. With the stewardship provided to endangered species by the Zoo through The Preserve, we hope that the Zoo can be part of our family for generations."
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