The NC Zoo’s Asia exhibit inches towards opening, with budget set to become law
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- State budget allocates $6.2M recurring and $1.3M nonrecurring for the Asia exhibit.
- Budget allocates funds for 54 positions, but zoo is still reviewing sufficiency.
- Construction of the 12.5-acre Asia Continent is complete and most animals are settled.
The North Carolina Zoo’s highly anticipated Asia exhibit is closer to reality, as the state budget released Tuesday has a multi-million dollar allocation toward positions and operating costs.
The budget bill would provide $6.2 million in ongoing funding and $1.3 million in one-time money to pay for 54 new positions and operating costs for the new Asia exhibit at the North Carolina Zoo. This long-awaited Asia Continent exhibit “is complete,” according to Michele Walker, assistant communications director for the North Carolina Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.
“Construction of the Asia Continent is complete, most animals are settled in, and the North Carolina Zoo is eager to welcome visitors to this amazing new expansion when staff are in place,” she told The News & Observer over email.
However, for months plans for the 12.5-acre exhibit — featuring tigers, Komodo dragons, Visayan warty pigs, Asian small-clawed otters, king cobras and more — have been stalled over the budget’s delay, preventing the zoo from operating safely. Fox8 News WGHP in the Triad reported that zoo leaders said the exhibit cannot operate effectively without 70 additional employees.
Walker told The N&O the zoo is still reviewing the budget at this time and did not answer whether the 54 positions is enough for the exhibit to operate.
Gov. Josh Stein previously had proposed 69 new positions, $7.1 million in recurring money and $1.3 million in non-recurring money.
In total, the state has invested more than $75 million in the Asia exhibit, the zoo’s first big expansion since opening a North America section in 1994. The zoo’s Africa section dates to 1980, The N&O reported.
Rep. Neal Jackson’s office told The N&O he helped ensure funding for the exhibit was included in the budget. The Republican represents Randolph County, home to the zoo.
“This investment will help ensure the zoo has the staffing needed to successfully open and operate this new area, enhancing the visitor experience while supporting one of North Carolina’s premier attractions,” Jackson’s office said in an emailed statement Wednesday.
Lawmakers cast key votes in favor of the budget on Wednesday and are expected to send it to Stein’s desk on Thursday.