Miller Park Zoo is around two weeks away from opening a new monkey exhibit

Posted on August 4, 2021
Tetzloff said he hopes that the new exhibit will attract a larger audience to Miller Park Zoo.(Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – A new monkey exhibit is just weeks away from opening at Miller Park Zoo.

The new monkey exhibit, funded by a $600,000 grant from the state of Illinois, will house a male and female DeBrazza Monkies and Red-flanked Duiker’s (small antelope).

Miller Park Zoo Superintendent Jay Tetzloff said contractors recently finished installing netting for the new exhibit built between the Flamingos and the Carousel.

“We’re getting closer and closer. We’re hoping that the contract as early as Friday, so we are probably about two weeks out.”

Speaking with WJBC’s Scott Miller, Tetzloff said as the exhibit is close to opening, the Zoo would let members get a sneak peek of the exhibit.

“Once we have a firm date, we will let you know but, Wednesday and Thursday of the week that we open, we’re going to have members night. So members get a sneak peek at the animals and the new exhibit. And so it’s just an opportunity to go out and get their memberships because one, it’s important to support your local Zoo. And two, you will get into other zoos around the country at a reduced price, some of them are free, and so it’s just more opportunities to get a membership.”

LISTEN: Miller Park Zoo Superintendent Jay Tetzloff spoke with WJBC Scott Miller. 

Miller Park Zoo applied for the state grant in 2014 and was awarded $700,000, with $100,000 going towards the final stages of the parking lot project. The other $600,000 of the grant went towards building the new exhibit.

The Zoo hired local contractors to build the exhibit, with national contractors installing the netting around the exhibit.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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