Construction of the Buffalo Zoo's new Donna M. Fernandes Amphibian and Reptile Center (A.R.C.) is underway.
This 3.7-million-dollar project, which started in 2015, is now ready to break ground and the Reptile House is officially closed until construction is complete.
"We are grateful to the State of New York and to Senator Jacobs for securing $150,000
of state funding towards this much needed project," said Buffalo Zoo President/CEO,
Norah Fletchall, adding, "this funding, along with the generous support of others will
allow us to continue to highlight reptile and amphibian species, including those native to
our region."
Originally built in 1942 by Marlin Perkins, the Zoo's Reptile House was deemed the finest in the nation when it opened. Renovations will include a new roof, heating and ventilation systems, several new and renovated naturalistic habitats, interactive education elements, and new animals.
Among the new species will be the largest living lizard in the world, the Komodo dragon and the longest venomous snake found in the Western Hemisphere, the Bushmaster.
The project is estimated to reach completion in the late Spring of 2019.
