Trunkline Magazine (Louisville Zoo) March 2019 | Page 12

New Exhibits
New Animals
We’re happy to report that our two new exhibits have
been completed and will open this spring! With the
opening of these two new exhibits, Colobus Crossing
and Snow Leopard Pass, we have lots of new animal
ambassadors we can’t wait for you to meet!
Snow Leopard Pass
Located near Tiger Taiga, this
new snow leopard habitat will
transport you to a small Himalayan
village in Nepal and introduce you
to the elusive snow leopard. You’ll
learn how villagers are striving to
live in balance with the snow leop-
ard to support conservation of this
majestic species.
Snow leopards are masters of
camouflage and can bound up
to 50 feet in one jump. Once the
exhibit opens, visit often to spot
the snow leopards on the talus
rock slope.
A Snowy New Arrival
In late February, new snow leop-
ard Meru arrived in Louisville from
Los Angeles Zoo. Just 1.5 years old,
male snow leopard Meru will join
snow leopards Kimti and NeeCee in
the new exhibit! Assistant mammal
curator Michael Jones said, “He is
a big boy; he will be the largest of
three snow leopards here in Lou-
isville.” Meru arrived via a UPS air
cargo plane. Michael accompanied
Meru during the flight to Louisville,
jump seating with the UPS aircraft
crew. The last several weeks before
Meru’s arrival, Michael worked
directly with UPS staff for clearance
with FAA and Home Land Security
regulations as well as going through
jump seat training. A special thanks
to UPS for generously offering to
move Meru from LAX to SDF. That's
what you might call a "wild ride!"
A Wild Play Space
The “village” will also include
an early-learning play space,
The Cub House, presented by
PNC. This adjoining early-
childhood education space
features a huge window
where kids can get nose-
to-nose with these big cats.
Programs will help young
people connect with animals,
habitats and cultures across
the globe. Stay turned for
more details on these new
programs!
12 • Louisville Zoo Trunkline • Spring 2019
OPENING
LATE MARCH
2019
(Top) New snow leopard Meru,
that arrived at the Louisville Zoo in
late February.
(Middle) Snow Leopard statue
(Bottom) Interior of
Snow Leopard Pass in final stage
of construction