Explore St. Louis

The St. Louis Zoo will re-open Jungle of the Apes, the winter home for chimpanzees, orangutans and gorillas, on Saturday, February 4, at 9 a.m. The nearly 20-year-old building was closed for major improvements in September 2004. In May 2005, the Zoo opened Donn & Marilyn Lipton Fragile Forest, the outdoor summer habitat for chimpanzees and orangutans.

Among the improvements to the Jungle of the Apes building are new skylights and roof. “New skylights will improve both the animals’ health and the visitor experience,” said Ingrid Porton, curator of primates at the Zoo. “More natural light provides better visibility of the apes for our visitors and is an important source of vitamin D for the animals.”

Air conditioning, heating and mechanical systems were updated, and new natural-looking, heavy-duty vines for climbing were added to the animals’ habitats. A “living wall” of live tropical plants, ferns, orchids and vines was created in the visitor space. Still under construction is the outdoor gorilla yard. The Ann and Paul Lux Family Gorilla Habitat will open later this spring and will include yard improvements such as more shade trees and plantings, vines for apes to climb and redesigned viewing areas.

The plaza entrance to Jungle of the Apes was also redesigned to include a new gift shop “Phil’s Trading Company,” benches, water fountain and the popular bronze statue of Phil the Gorilla, a late Zoo inhabitant who was a favorite with visitors.

The Zoo’s great ape families include four Sumatran orangutans and eight chimpanzees. Three new male western lowland gorilla teenagers will soon be introduced to an 18-year-old silverback who was born at the Zoo. The St. Louis Zoo has been a leader in formation and maintenance of gorilla bachelor groups in the past. Because of the introductions and the group dynamics of great apes, not all individuals will be on exhibit at all times.

The Zoo is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is free. Starting this Sunday, families can enjoy free activities at Delta Dental Winter Zoo from noon to 3 p.m. each Sunday in February in The Living World.