PECO Primate Reserve

A tremendous ground-swell of popular support arose in Philadelphia to rebuild the Zoo’s primate collection after a devastating December 1995 fire. Following a national search, the Zoo selected CLR as its design firm. The 2.5 acre site (twice the size of the old facility) displays eleven primate species, including gorillas, orangutans, gibbons, lemurs, and golden lion tamarins. This innovative project is based upon the concept of activity-based design and management. Behavioral enrichment, animal training, husbandry and habitat are woven together creating a memorable visitor experience of monkeys and apes, both up close and personal. Better than a “behind-the-scenes tour,” visitors are surrounded by the primates in bright, spacious community “day rooms” or they can enjoy them outdoors in expansive “immersion” forest habitats. Three existing sycamore trees were preserved for an arboreal habitat enjoyed by orangutans and gibbons.
With a strong story line connected to international in-situ primate conservation projects, the reserve is themed as an abandoned tropical sawmill converted to a primate rescue center, with scaffolds and cranes that provide varied climbing opportunities for the primates. The theme is further connected directly to international conservation projects via video with field researchers and other interpretive elements.