By FOX23.com News Staff
TULSA, Okla. — The Tulsa Zoo says an upcoming exhibit is facing a funding gap that could halt production on it.
The Williams S. Smith African Wilds is looking at a $15 million gap in funding that could lead to construction being halted in the upcoming fall season without City support.
The African Wilds is set to be a more than seven-acre exhibit with over 30 African species, including lions, African wild dogs, zebras, meerkats, and more. It is slated to be open in June 2027 if funding is reached.
The Tulsa Zoo states that post-COVID inflation drove up the cost of materials and labor. The initial project cost over a decade ago began at $16 million and then increased to $28 million before increasing again to over $37 million. Howver bids on construction they have received are at $48 million.
In 2025, the zoo stated that last year, fundraising for the African Wilds had slowed with private donors citing social service priorities. In 2026, Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc. (TZMI) secured a construction loan with Bank of Oklahoma.
Officials say that without City support, construction stops and restarts at a cost of $2 to $4 million. If the project stalls, $24.1 million in private commitment could be at risk.
