By rssfeeds-admin Adam Leishman, a spokesperson for the theme park, said the big cats in the zoo have already been rehomed to a facility in the west as of late 2024, and the rest of the animals and the zoo will be phased out slowly over the next year.
Leishman said the decision was made with the park’s development in mind and the space will be used to bring new experiences and attractions to guests.
Leishman said that Lagoon will open on March 22, with more big changes in store for guests to look forward to.
Since its opening in 1967, guests could see a range of animals on the Wild Kingdom Train ride, including tigers, zebras, camels, lions, and a golden eagle.
The amusement park’s zoo has been a source of controversy for decades, with groups questioning the conditions and welfare of the animals.
Leishman said that the animals at Lagoon have received excellent care from dedicated staff members.
The Utah Animal Rights Coalition said in a post online that it has hosted dozens of protests and filed federal complaints regarding the animals at the zoo, calling its closure a win.
“For the first time in years – perhaps ever – these big cats will be able to engage in their natural instinctual behaviors & live a life where their home is measured in square acres, not square feet,” the UARC wrote.
Sorina Trauntvein contributed to this report.
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