Crossroads of Conservation: Rhino Savanna Construction

Continuing Our Crossroads of Conservation: Rhino Savanna Construction

By Jan Hawkins, Director of Development and Kippy Laflame, Capital Campaign Gift Officer

The Living Desert is excited to be continuing with our Pride of the Desert: Crossroads of Conservation capital campaign.

After 2 years of intense design work to complete more than 400 pages of construction documents and obtain building permits, shovels touched dirt on August 1, 2020, and construction is now underway. As with everything we do here at The Living Desert, our mission of desert conservation is central to this project. The construction of expansive new habitats will provide a home for a breeding pair of critically endangered black rhinos, as well as other African desert animals. These animals will become ambassadors for their species, and their presence will support conservation programs, educate and inspire Zoo visitors from around the world.

Current Zoo features are being remodeled as well, including a new habitat for the warthogs, porcupines and meerkats. To accommodate construction, some paths have been redirected, so please pardon our desert dust. After a year of construction, the Fall of 2021 will bring spacious, multi-species habitats and an updated Zoo of the Future! Visit our website to enjoy a virtual view of our Crossroads of Conservation. Your support is critical to helping fulfill our desert conservation mission.

If you would like to help The Living Desert and build the Zoo of the future, you can contact the Development Department at 760-340-5865 or KLaflame@LivingDesert.org.