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ALBUQUERQUE - The ABQ BioPark Zoo has been recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) with a significant achievement Exhibit Award for its Asia habitat expansion that opened to the public October 5, 2023. The prestigious award acknowledges excellence in live animal display and exhibit design, honoring the BioPark for its immersive and innovative habitats that promote animal welfare and conservation education.
The 4.5-acre Asia habitat, a $35 million project funded by Albuquerque’s 1/8-cent Gross Receipts Tax (GRT), set new standards for animal care at the BioPark. Featuring rotational “flex” habitats, the space allows species such as snow leopards, Malayan tigers, orangutans, and Steller’s sea eagles to engage in natural behaviors like foraging, climbing and socializing in diverse environments. Walkways lead guests through forests, mountains and coastlines and underneath bridges and ledges where their favorite animals watch them from above.
“The Asia habitat is a high mark for our zoo, and for our community,” Mayor Tim Keller. “We’ll continue to invest in creating world-class experiences that not only benefit Albuquerque families but support vital conservation efforts worldwide."
The Asia habitats’ design fosters animal wellbeing, with its dynamic and multi-strata environments, increasing natural behaviors and space utilization. Innovative features, such as first-of-their-kind sway poles for primates led to increased levels of climbing and brachiation by orangutans and siamangs.
“Congratulations to the team at the ABQ BioPark for their hard work and dedication in achieving this remarkable recognition,” said Dan Ashe, president and CEO at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. “This award recognizes the best of the best in the global zoological community. The work being done at the ABQ BioPark further strengthens the impact of our entire community and is something Albuquerque can be proud of.”
The large and dynamic “flex” habitats are one of the nation’s first and most successful predator-prey rotational habitats, and they allow animals to share spaces at different times. For example, the tigers can move through grassy area that the orangutans were swinging in earlier that day, creating unique opportunities for enrichment. This focus on animal care and innovation in exhibit design is central to the Asia habitats being recognized with the Exhibit Award.
"Receiving the AZA Exhibit Award is a tremendous honor for the BioPark," said BioPark Associate Director Lynn Tupa. "This recognition underscores our commitment to providing enriching environments for our animals while offering educational and immersive experiences for our visitors. It's a win for wildlife and our community."
In addition to enhancing animal care, Asia also promotes guest education on conservation topics like wildlife trafficking and biodiversity. Programs like BioPark Connections actively engage guests, teaching them about the Zoo’s efforts in animal care and global conservation, further enhancing the guest experience.
The expansion would not have been possible without the 1/8-cent, voter-approved GRT. In addition to the GRT tax funding, the New Mexico BioPark Society (NMBPS) wishes to acknowledge the dedicated community partners whose generosity helped bring Asia to the BioPark: PNC Bank, New Mexico Gas Company and the PNM Foundation. NMBPS and the BioPark thank their partners, sponsors and supporters and look forward to continuing to serve our community together.
Media: B-roll and photos of Asia can be downloaded here.
For more information about the Asia habitats and news about other happenings at the ABQ BioPark, follow Facebook, Instagram, and X, and visit us at www.cabq.gov/artsculture/biopark.
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