Construction has begun on a $135 million expansion at Rochester’s Seneca Park Zoo that will add tropical and aquatic habitats, education space and visitor facilities, with completion expected in late 2029.
The Tropics Complex will include 60,000 gallons of aquatic habitats and a 30,000-gallon Amazon River tank, according to a state announcement. State support first announced in March 2022 totals $42.5 million.
Monroe County is investing $67.6 million, the New York State Historic Preservation Office has committed $1.9 million, and the Seneca Park Zoo Society has committed to raising an additional $23 million for the project.
The groundbreaking coincides with the start of Monroe County’s parks system centennial celebration, which runs from October 2026 through October 2027.
Tropical and aquatic habitats planned
The new building will contain a Tropical Forest, Tropical Island Habitats and Pacific Reef Habitats. Plans also include education space, event space, administrative offices and a new zoo gift shop.
Aquatic features will include a Komodo dragon pool, a Madagascar cichlid tank, a coral reef tank and a shark touch tank, in addition to the Amazon River habitat.
Anticipated species include orangutans, lemurs, siamangs, coral catsharks, Amazon fish and rays, jellyfish and giant Pacific octopuses.
Zoo Society President and CEO Pamela Reed Sanchez said the complex is intended to expand the institution’s educational reach and encourage conservation. Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said the state’s support helped make the project possible.
Expansion builds on an established regional attraction
The zoo was established in 1894 and is home to more than 90 species, including mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, fish and arachnids. More than 350,000 people visit annually, and the zoo supports more than 14,000 member households.
School programs, camps and community events bring thousands of participants to the zoo each year. The state described it as the region’s second-largest tourist attraction.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said the modernization would build on more than 130 years of the zoo’s history while expanding programming and improving the visitor experience. Empire State Development Commissioner Hope Knight said tourism investments can support regional jobs and economic growth.
The governor’s office reported that New York received 321 million visitors last year, generating more than $97 billion in direct spending and $152 billion in total economic impact.
The project also complements Finger Lakes Forward, the region’s economic development strategy, which focuses on industries including photonics, agriculture and food production, and advanced manufacturing.
Information about the zoo is available at senecaparkzoo.org. Monroe County is posting updates on the parks centennial and its community events at monroecounty.gov/parks100.
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