Santa Ana Zoo goes wild on construction projects to be completed by the end of the year

The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park has some monkey business going on: updates to its primate and other animal habitats, educational buildings and pathways.

On track to be completed by the end of this year, the zoo is undergoing various construction projects to bring in new animals, update animal enclosures and improve the zoo’s landscaping and infrastructure.

A new enclosure — dubbed River’s Edge — will feature two to four male South American giant river otters. Additionally, various primate species, including up to 10 spider monkeys, will be able to travel above the otters and into their own enclosure, Zoo Director Ethan Fisher said.

Construction on River’s Edge broke ground in early 2022 and is on track to be completed by the end of the year.

Other exhibit updates, on track to also be finished up this year, include a new alligator enclosure and improved monkey habitats located in the zoo’s primate forest.

The zoo is also working to complete its Pathway Improvement Project, an effort to convert its dirt paths to concrete. Several paths are already completed, although there are still detours for the walkways still under construction.

The children’s zoo — in addition to getting a new alligator — recently opened its Goat Interaction Yard where guests can walk into the goat enclosure to pet the animals. Several buildings have also been repainted.

Another completed project is the butterfly exhibit, which features new butterflies each week from South America and Asia. The exhibit is open every day from May to September, although you might have to wait in an online queue before being able to enter.

While several projects are slated to be completed by the end of 2025, the zoo is continuing to fundraise for its north end expansion and additional primate enclosure space, Fisher said.

“We want to make sure we’re doing right by them,” Fisher said.

Future projects also include the zoo’s Education HIVE building, which would serve as a classroom and reception area for school field trips, and a security wall on the north side of the zoo.

In addition to construction projects, the zoo also began selling beer and wine at its onsite cafe this summer. Guests who are at least 21 years old can purchase alcohol and carry it with them as they walk around the exhibits.

So far, the zoo has spent around $9 million on construction. The city of Santa Ana and grants obtained by the Friends of the Santa Ana Zoo have helped with funding, Fisher said.

The construction projects were brought on after the Santa Ana Zoo lost its accreditation from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums in 2017. AZA accredits zoos based on their commitments to the health and safety of their animals and guest engagement and education.

In its report to the zoo, AZA cited a lack of modernization in the Santa Ana Zoo’s primate enclosures. The zoo reapplied for accreditation in 2022 and was told to continue making improvements, Fisher said.

The zoo submitted another application for AZA accreditation in March. Fisher and other zoo staff will travel to the AZA national conference in Florida in September to present before the AZA board, in hopes of securing accreditation, Fisher said.

AZA accreditation is not required for a zoo to remain open. The Santa Ana Zoo is still licensed under the federal Department of Agriculture.

The Santa Ana Zoo was first accredited by the AZA in 1985, but the zoo itself opened in 1952.

The zoo was originally home to more than 50 monkeys due to a stipulation by Joseph Prentice, who donated the land for the zoo as long as it kept at least 50 monkeys there.

The stipulation ended about two and a half years ago, Fisher said, and the zoo now has about 35 monkeys, ranging from larger white-handed gibbons to pygmy marmosets, one of the smallest monkey species.

General tickets to the Santa Ana Zoo, located at 1801 E. Chestnut Ave., are $14. Guests can purchase tickets at the zoo’s entrance or online, where more information about the zoo and its operating hours can also be found.

The zoo has extended hours during the month of July. It is open until 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. It is also open until 7:30p.m. on Wed, July 30, with ticket sales ending one hour before close. The zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. all other days.