ST. LOUIS ZOO TO CLOSE JUNGLE OF THE APES FOR SIX MONTHS; 
ZOO MAKES WAY FOR FRAGILE FOREST

What:	St. Louis Zoo to close Jungle of the Apes to the public temporarily to make way for construction of Fragile Forest; outdoor gorilla yard will remain open

When:	Tuesday, September 3, 2002; set to re-open on March 8, 2003

The St. Louis Zoo will close its great ape facility, Jungle of the Apes, for public viewing for a period of six months, from Tuesday, September 3 to March 8, 2003.  The outdoor gorilla yard will remain open to the public during this time, weather permitting.  The overlook into the gorilla yard can be reached by taking the Historic Hill path to Jungle of the Apes (near the Phil the Gorilla statue).

The Zoo has begun site preparation for Fragile Forest, a new outdoor habitat for chimpanzees, orangutans and gibbons.  Fragile Forest, which will be adjacent to Jungle of the Apes, is set to open in 2005.  When completed, two of the Zoo's endangered species, chimpanzees and orangutans, will live in lushly landscaped outdoor yards, rich with activities for these intelligent creatures.  Joining the orangutans in their new home will be gibbons, "lesser apes" known for their climbing skills and loud calls.  Lowland gorillas have had a spacious outdoor exhibit at the St. Louis Zoo since 1987, soon after Jungle of the Apes opened.

The Zoo's chimpanzees, orangutans and some gorillas will be off exhibit for the next six months, while indoor renovation of Jungle of the Apes is underway.  Also off exhibit are the Zoo's red pandas. They will be relocated to a new Zoo exhibit in the future.