COST: $14 million, in honor of Dr. Theodore Hubbard, a longtime Omaha cardiologist.
OPENED: April 8, 2004
ARCHITECT: John Armknecht of ASD Stanley J. How Architects
CONTRACTOR: Kiewit Construction
Hubbard Gorilla Valley: where the gorillas roam free and the visitors are captive! This exhibit is a three acre site that includes two acres of gorilla and visitor space.
Gorilla Conservation
This cutting-edge exhibit and management facility allows Omaha to be a major player in gorilla conservation. It makes possible the eventual expansion of Omaha's gorilla population to 25 animals of all ages and sexes. A world-class state-of-the-art breeding and exhibit facility greatly enhances past successes in producing off-spring and our reproductive and genetic research and health programs. Omaha's reproductive research team helped produce the world's first test tube gorilla. Over the past ten years we've developed the largest gorilla sperm bank in the world. Omaha's current research partners include zoos in North America, Europe, South Africa and Australia.
New Main Habitat
The inside/winter gorilla habitat increased over 6X greater than the previous area. Visitors and gorillas can interact 300 degrees across through 8 large windows, a 5' acrylic hemisphere and 25' long S-shaped gorilla window to allow gorillas and visitors to step into each others space. 24' trees support a tangle of vines and have hidden enrichment spaces to keep the gorillas curious and active. The floor is heated with varying temperatures in different areas so each gorilla can find a comfort zone. Sky lights bring natural light into the exhibit. On-site learning and observation can be done in the classroom within the building.
Gorilla Valley Outdoor Habitat
The outside/summer gorilla habitat increased 10X greater than the previous area. A 16' wide, 12' tall, 520' long window-lined tunnel allows visitors to travel through habitats while gorillas and other animals roam free throughout the valley. Visitors zig-zag through the valley past gorillas, monkeys, red river hogs and birds. Three (3) diamond shape tunnel windows indicate enrichment stations where visitors are able to interact with gorillas in activities such as patty cake, tug-of-war and wheel twisting. A 5' high, 4' wide underground tunnel for children of all ages allows visitors to "pop" up in the valley through two 5' bubbles, discovering gorillas in action. A central education hub demonstrates differences and similarities in primates, apes and humans.
The Owen Gorilla House Remodeled
Two main exhibits and four corner displays in the remodeled Owen Gorilla House further the gorilla, primate and related species interaction; added enrichment activities and colorful graphics keep visitors on-their-toes as curious animals check out their presence.
Behind-the-Scenes
Four large gorilla "bedrooms" and two very large social areas provide nighttime holding and management space for gorillas as singles, pairs or large social troops.