Woodland Park Zoo has received a $1 million gift from The Charles and Lisa Simonyi Fund for Arts and Sciences toward the creation of an all new, naturalistic tiger and Asian bear exhibit complex at the zoo.

The $1 million was issued as a challenge to the community to rally behind bringing this new and exciting exhibit to our region, according to Lisa Simonyi.

“We look for programs that advance science education for the community,” said Simonyi. “We’re honored to be a part of the zoo’s commitment to create a better, more naturalistic home for tigers and Asian bears, and we’re inspired by the dynamic science education hub that the exhibit complex will become for the zoo’s 1 million annual visitors, motivating the next generation of conservation scientists and stewards.”

Part of the zoo’s $21 million Asian Tropical Forest fundraising initiative, the new tiger and Asian bear exhibit complex will replace the 60-year-old, outdated infrastructure that critically endangered tigers and Asian bears currently inhabit at the zoo.

Using sustainable design, the exhibits will provide tigers, Asian bears and other species representing the biodiversity of the region with a naturalistic, enriching environment that evokes the lush forests of tropical Asia and encourages natural behaviors. Current concepts in the exhibit design will see tigers stalk “prey” as they chase a lure line that runs the length of the exhibit, climb trees to retrieve snacks, nap under the roots of a tropical tree, splash in a shallow pool and care for cubs in a spacious exhibit built to accommodate multiple generations.

To bring the behind-the-scenes care of these animals into the forefront for zoo visitors, the exhibit design includes specialized training stations where keepers will interact one-on-one with tigers and bears. These training presentations will get visitors closer to live predators than at any other exhibit at the zoo, and provide insight into how the zoo safely cares for such large and dangerous animals.

Visitors to the new exhibit complex will be empowered and inspired by such up-close animal encounters—as well as hands-on learning and links to meaningful conservation actions—to build a better future for wildlife, shaped by the exhibit’s theme, “Sharing the Forest: People are the Conservation Solution.”

The Simonyi Fund gift marks the second seven-figure leadership gift made this year to the zoo’s Campaign for More Wonder More Wild, a comprehensive campaign that includes the Asian Tropical Forest initiative as well as seven other fundraising initiatives focused on animal care, conservation, education and the zoo visitor experience.

Since making its public launch in March 2011, the Campaign for More Wonder More Wild has reached 82% of its total $80 million fundraising goal.

“We’re making great progress in the design phase of the tiger and Asian bear exhibit planning right now, testing out innovative ideas for the new exhibits with our animals and our visitors,” said Dr. Deborah Jensen, Woodland Park Zoo President and CEO. “The generosity of the Simonyi Fund gives us the momentum to complete the exhibit planning stage, and will help kickstart the next stage by raising additional funds in the community through the challenge.”

Follow the progress of the More Wonder More Wild comprehensive campaign, the eight initiatives including the Asian Tropical Forest project, and learn how to get involved at http://www.morewonder.org.

For more information about Woodland Park Zoo, visit http://www.zoo.org or call 206.548.2500.