Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Unveils Primate Forest, Welcomes Public to Its Largest Capital Project

Primate Forest creates a transformative new experience centered on animal wellbeing, science, conservation, and connection.

Cleveland Metroparks, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, the Cleveland Zoological Society and CrossCountry Mortgage are set to unveil the first phase of Primate Forest on Thursday, October 22, the largest capital project in Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s history, officially welcoming the public into a reimagined experience where animal wellbeing, conservation and guest connection come together.

Designed to transform how guests think about wildlife and wild places and showcase the Zoo’s exceptional animal care and husbandry work, Primate Forest is home to 65 species of animals and features immersive habitats, innovative technology, hands-on learning experiences and new spaces that bring animal care, conservation, science and research front and center.

At the heart of the experience is the new CrossCountry Mortgage Forest Home, a vibrant, immersive gathering space that welcomes guests into Primate Forest and illustrates the interconnectedness of forests, people and animals. Additionally, the first phase of construction includes the expanded Orangutan Forest and the newly renovated Samuel H. Miller Foundation Tropical Forest.

“This project marks a transformative new chapter for the Zoo, advancing how we care for animals, creating new opportunities for our teams to do exceptional work and fundamentally rethinking how guests experience and connect with wildlife,” said Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian M. Zimmerman. “We are excited to open a space that is not only extraordinary for the animals who call it home, but we want every guest who walks through Primate Forest to leave with a connection, whether it is to a particular animal, a new understanding of conservation or simply a deeper appreciation for the natural world.”

A New Home for Connection & Discovery

The CrossCountry Mortgage Forest Home is where the Primate Forest experience begins, serving as the entry and central gathering space for Primate Forest, surrounding guests with the sights and sounds of a forest from the moment they walk in.

Innovative projection-mapping technology transforms the space around guests. A towering ‘Mother Tree’ anchors the experience, creating a striking visual centerpiece and reinforcing Primate Forest’s central message that the health of people, animals and habitats are deeply intertwined.

The CrossCountry Mortgage Forest Home also includes enhanced dining and retail locations, and the Orchid Room, a flexible conference, meeting or private event space, overlooking the future Gorilla Forest.

“Primate Forest is an exciting investment into our region, and we’re proud to play a part in bringing it to life,” said Ron Leonhardt, Founder and CEO of CrossCountry Mortgage. “Cleveland has always been home for us, and we believe in investing in the things that make this community a great place to live, work and raise a family. Through CrossCountry Mortgage Forest Home, we hope to help create a place where families can spend time together, make lasting memories and connect with the incredible wildlife and conservation efforts happening right here in our backyard.”

Spotlight on Animal Wellbeing

Primate Forest is designed not only to provide new and more complex environments for animals, but also to give guests a closer look at the expertise, science and daily care that support their wellbeing.

“Primate Forest represents a significant step forward in how we care for and connect people with the animals in our care,” said Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Executive Director Dr. Chris Kuhar. “The enhancements and complexities built into these habitats give our orangutans and other species more choice, challenge and opportunity to express natural behaviors, all of which are important to their overall wellbeing. At the same time, it puts our teams' animal husbandry work front and center, giving guests a closer look at the care, enrichment, and expertise that go into caring for these species every day; in doing so, we can build a stronger connection between people and wildlife.”

For the first time, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s orangutans will have access to the outdoors. Orangutan Forest expands the iconic 40-foot-tall geodesic dome into a complex habitat featuring outdoor climbing structures, ropes and nesting opportunities. An elevated deck walk gives guests new perspectives and brings them closer to the dynamic orangutan group as they move through and explore their environment.

A new two-story dayroom connects the indoor and outdoor habitats, giving orangutans choice in where they spend their time while offering guests closer views of animal training and husbandry.

A new Care and Conservation Center for toads, turtles and snakes make that work even more visible. The space brings real-world conservation programs and the Zoo’s work with threatened species directly into the guest experience, helping demonstrate how conservation happens both at the Zoo and in the wild.

The impact is already being seen. Since moving Puerto Rican crested toads into their new space, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has seen successful breeding. Guests can also encounter marine toads, a new species at the Zoo. Native to South and Central America, these terrestrial amphibians can weigh up to three pounds.

More Ways to Explore & Connect

Primate Forest builds upon the legacy of the former RainForest while creating a new experience focused on the connections between wildlife, people and the planet.

The project also features several new experiences on the second level of Primate Forest:

• PNC Adventure Playspace — Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s first indoor play space, featuring a naturalistic forest-inspired design and accessible sensory, tactile and creative play opportunities, overlooking the outdoor orangutan habitat.
• Lubrizol Connections Studio — A technology-driven interactive experience encouraging guests to explore their individual interests and learn about meaningful work in the fields of science, conservation, animals and the environment.
• Dr. Vasu & Lisa Pandrangi & Family Forest Theater — A tranquil, circular learning space where guests can immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of healthy forests, while exploring the connections between nature and human wellbeing.
• Michael Talty and Helen Talty Charitable Trust Learning Gallery — An interactive space focused on the interconnectedness of people, animals and healthy environments, with opportunities for guests to explore the benefits of nature and ways to help protect it for the future.
• Cleveland Foundation Sustainable Future Design Lab — Kiosks provide visitors with the power to envision what a regenerative future might look like in Cleveland by redesigning the city with natural elements and a focus on sustainability and the environment.

Together, these experiences are designed to help guests understand that conservation is connected to the choices people make every day and the health of our shared communities and environment.

Building on a Legacy, Investing in the Future

Primate Forest builds upon the legacy of the former RainForest, which was home to more than 10,000 plants and 600 animals representing forests of Asia, Africa and the Americas.

The first phase of Primate Forest represents an approximately $70 million investment and is funded through Cleveland Metroparks capital funds, Cleveland Zoological Society philanthropic support, partnerships and state capital funds. The overall multi-phase project represents a $120 million investment in the future of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

A future phase includes the Gorilla Forest, which will create a new home for the Zoo’s growing and iconic gorilla troop. The future habitat is planned to encompass approximately 25,000 square feet and will include a world-class gorilla habitat, management hub highlighting gorilla training and healthcare, significant forest and garden space and a guest viewing tower. The Cleveland Zoological Society continues to fundraise to support the project’s completion.

“Today’s opening is an important milestone, but it is also the beginning of a transformative new Zoo experience,” said Sarah Crupi, CEO of the Cleveland Zoological Society. “We are proud to stand alongside Cleveland Metroparks, CrossCountry Mortgage and the many philanthropic partners who helped make this first phase a reality, and we look forward to continuing to build support for the future Gorilla Forest.”

Welcome to the Future of the Zoo

Primate Forest will officially open to the public at noon on Thursday, October 22, following a closed ribbon-cutting event.

Entry to the Primate Forest is included with all paid general admission tickets and membership admission. On Mondays, entry to the Primate Forest will cost $8 for residents of Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township. Guests will use a timed entry system to access the Primate Forest. Once guests arrive at the Zoo, they may register for entry using a QR code from 10 a.m. until 90 minutes before closing.

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