Zurich Zoo Builds “Ndoki Garden” in Preparation for Future Gorilla Habitat
Illustration of the Ndoki Garden at Zurich Zoo (AI-generated). Courtesy of Zoo Zürich
(eap) With the so-called “Ndoki Garden”, Zurich Zoo will enter the next phase of its long-term development plan starting as of 2026. The temporary construction project, which is to be realized in the area of the current “Mongolian Steppe” in the upper part of the zoo, serves to prepare for the future “Ndoki Forest” habitat, which will house gorillas as well as other endangered animal species from Central Africa (see EAP news of 13 March 2025).
The central element of the heated Ndoki Garden building, which is around 1,200 square meters in size and up to 15 meters high, will be tropical trees that will later characterize the interior of the future gorilla habitat. These so-called “giant trees” will continue to grow in the temporary facility after they have been pruned for transport to the zoo. The aim is to ensure that the trees are sufficiently large and robust to meet the physical requirements of the gorillas as natural climbing opportunities when the Ndoki Forest opens.
In addition to the botanical component, the facility is also intended to house various African bird species. The aim is to gain initial experience in keeping these species together before they are integrated into the new habitat together with gorillas and other endangered Central African species.
As part of the project, the previous presentation of domesticated animal species such as the domestic yak and cashmere goat in the Mongolian steppe area will be discontinued – a move that, according to the zoo, aligns with its strategic focus on endangered wildlife. In the long term, the development of a “Seashore” themed area is planned for the same zoo area, which is also part of the so-called “Development Plan 2050”. ■
