NC Zoo would plan for replacement of its decrepit aviary under Cooper’s budget proposal
Gov. Roy Cooper’s proposed state budget released Wednesday would allocate $5 million to demolish the existing aviary at the N.C. Zoo and to plan for its replacement.
The zoo closed the R.J. Reynolds Forest Aviary to the public in January to prevent its 33 species of birds from catching the highly contagious avian flu. But instead of reopening the popular attraction as the threat of the flu dissipates, the zoo announced in April it was closing the building completely and relocating the tropical birds and exotic plants within it.
Inspections of the building revealed weaknesses in the roof and erosion under the building that have made the structure unsafe for workers and visitors. The report from the inspection indicated the building would not be worth repairing and that a new building, if constructed, should be placed on a more stable site within the park.
The $5 million Cooper requested is the estimated cost of demolishing the existing building and designing a new one.
The Forest Aviary opened in 1982 and underwent a two-year renovation that was completed in 2000. Much of the original construction was paid for with money from R.J. Reynolds tobacco company.
It’s also not clear when a new aviary could be built. The zoo hopes to start construction later this year on Asia, in keeping with the original plan to have sections within the park representing all the continents of the world. Asia will feature tigers, Komodo dragons, red pandas, Chinese alligators, cranes, vultures and otters, plus a 300-seat restaurant and meeting space that could accommodate weddings and other special events.
After that, the zoo would begin work on Australia.
The aviary is one of 10 line items within the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources in Cooper’s budget. Others include $4 million to plan and build the African American Monument at the State Capitol; $600,000 to move and repair the Oregon Inlet Lifesaving Station; and $10 million to renovate and expand the Fort Fisher Aquarium.
State lawmakers in the N.C. General Assembly will come up with their own spending plans, but can consider Cooper’s budget proposal, during their spring session scheduled to convene May 18.
This story was originally published May 11, 2022 at 4:08 PM with the headline "NC Zoo would plan for replacement of its decrepit aviary under Cooper’s budget proposal."
