Betsy Kling previews Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Primate Forest, a major RainForest transformation opening in 2026

A familiar attraction is being rebuilt into a new, multi-phase destination

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is moving ahead with Primate Forest, a multi-phased redevelopment that will transform and significantly expand the former RainForest complex into a new indoor destination focused on primate habitats, guest amenities and education spaces. The project follows the RainForest’s closure to the public on Sept. 9, 2024, with construction activity beginning the next day as the site transitioned into a long-term buildout.

Local television meteorologist Betsy Kling was recently given an extended preview of the project as construction continues, offering an early look at a development that zoo officials have described as one of the most significant capital undertakings in the facility’s modern history.

What Primate Forest includes in its first phase

The first construction phase is expected to be completed in 2026 and centers on three connected components: the renovated Tropical Forest (the modernized former RainForest structure), an expanded Orangutan Forest habitat that adds outdoor space, and a new two-story entry and gathering area known as the CrossCountry Mortgage Forest Home.

Project plans call for the renovation and modernization of more than 63,000 square feet of the former RainForest structure, plus more than 33,500 square feet of new construction tied to the new entrance and orangutan expansion. The overall Primate Forest footprint has been described as roughly 140,000 square feet.

• A new welcome/entry center designed to route visitors into the remodeled forest spaces
• Expanded orangutan habitat features, including a new outdoor area and additional indoor viewing options
• Indoor play elements integrated into the new entry building
• New or expanded dining and retail areas
• Interactive learning spaces built around hands-on exhibits and storytelling technology

Long-term plan: Gorilla Forest and a 2032 timeline

Future phases are planned to add Gorilla Forest, including new indoor and outdoor gorilla habitats. Planning documents describe a gorilla habitat of about 25,000 square feet, along with guest viewing features and animal-care elements intended to support training and healthcare needs. The full multi-phase project is expected to be completed before 2032, aligning with the zoo’s 150th anniversary.

Funding, construction, and what happens to animals during the closure

The initial phase has been described as an approximately $60 million effort, financed through a mix of partnerships, philanthropic donations, state capital funding and zoo capital funds. Separately, the broader campaign and planning materials have described Primate Forest as a large-scale investment with regionwide economic implications.

During the RainForest closure, zoo plans call for many animals from the former building to remain in place with habitat enhancements, while some species may be temporarily relocated as construction and upgrades proceed. The project also coincides with planned site-work near the zoo’s entry along Wildlife Way, aimed at improving arrival flow, parking and accessibility.

The redevelopment keeps signature elements of the former RainForest—such as the well-known geodesic dome—while reconfiguring the complex to add new habitats, visitor circulation and education spaces.