COAL VALLEY – Niabi Zoo is welcoming back its Amur, snow and African leopards following extensive renovations to their habitat.
After sustaining significant structural damage during the severe January 2024 winter snowstorms, the big cat house has been rebuilt to better meet the animals’ needs and support the zoo’s long-term care and conservation goals, Niabi Zoo said in a news release.
“Our big cats are a guest favorite, and we’re excited to have them back where they belong,” said Lee Jackson, director of Niabi Zoo. “Thanks to the dedication of our team and the support of the community, we’ve restored their habitat and made important upgrades for their care and enrichment.”
According to a previous news release from Niabi Zoo, that 2024 storm dumped more than 25 inches of wet, heavy snow straining the zoo infrastructure and animal habitats. Throughout the snow event, zoo staff were able to provide uninterrupted care for all the animals.
Afterwards seven of the zoo’s big cats were safely relocated within Niabi Zoo to appropriate facilities. Two of the zoo’s amur leopards were transferred to the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium in Toledo, Ohio. The move was intended to take place at a later date as part of a cooperative breeding program, but was expedited after the significant damage to the cathouse.
A recovery milestone
The leopards enclosure repairs mark a major milestone in Niabi’s ongoing recovery from the winter storm damage, which is estimated at about $2.5 million. While the zoo has secured about two-thirds of the funding from the State of Illinois, Rock Island County, insurance and early community support, it still is seeking the public’s financial assistance.
“We’ve kept up our recovery and you can now enjoy the results, but we still need your help to close the gap in funding,” said Mr. Jackson.
To support ongoing animal habitat improvements, patrons can make a donation here. Visitors can now see the leopards and other big cats daily as they explore their updated space, complete with new features designed to promote natural behaviors and enhance their well-being. Niabi Zoo is open Tuesdays through Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Oct. 26.
Niabi, which is operated by the Forest Preserve District of Rock Island County, offers an opportunity to explore more than 40 acres in Coal Valley, and discover more than 600 animals from around the world.
The zoo’s emphasis is on educating people of all ages about the importance of conservation and how they can play a part in saving species and ecosystems for future generations.
