Animal lovers are getting some good news by way of the state’s long-overdue budget: the North Carolina Zoo will finally have enough funding to open its Asia Continent to the public.
The provisions will add 54 full-time employees, $6.2 million in recurring funds, and a one-time $1.3 million payout for the expansion. The request, pushed by state Rep. Neal Jackson, a Moore County Republican, is a bit less than the 69 employees and $8.4 million in total spending Gov. Josh Stein had requested.
Jackson said he’s confident the zoo’s new section will be opened at the end of this year or early next year.
“I’ve been through the Asia exhibit already and seen the tiger,” Jackson said. “It’s going to be massive. I can’t wait for the general public to be able to get through there. It’s going to be absolutely gorgeous and something that you want to take your family to.”
The zoo broke ground on its Asia Continent expansion in 2022, but needed additional funds before it could open. According to the zoo’s website, the new 12.5-acre expanse will feature several species of tigers, Komodo dragons, Visayan warty pigs, Asian small-clawed otters, king cobras, and white-cheeked gibbons, as well as a large indoor café overlooking the tigers’ habitat and an overhead tiger walk.
