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IMMERSED IN AFRICA

Between now and next spring, the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium will open several exhibits in its new African Grasslands project, the zoo's largest construction endeavor to date. The main goal: to make visitors feel like they're in Africa. Buildings and landscaping have been camouflaged into the scenes to provide unobstructed views. Most of the exhibits west of the lagoon are expected to be open by this fall.

1. KOPJE

Pronunciation:Like "copy"

Animals:Klipspringer, rock hyrax, meerkat, white-throated monitor

What it is:A rocky habitat for animals with a winding trail and a wide look over the African Grasslands

Completion:Spring 2016

2. GIRAFFE & HOOFSTOCK HOLDING BUILDING

Size: 10,960 square feet

Features:Animal health equipment for on-site procedures, automatic food dispensers, keeper training areas visible to the public, private yard for impala and giraffe. Previous Giraffe Complex will be demolished to make room for the kopje.

Completion:Late June 2015

3. MIXED SPECIES HABITAT

Animals:Giraffe (about 9), impala, white rhino, ostrich, white stork and spur-winged goose

Features:Yard with multiple species intermingling, rhino holding building, temporary transport path for giraffe and hoofstock that cross the pedestrian walkway each morning

Completion:Fall 2015

4. GIRAFFE FEEDING STATION

Features:Visitors can feed giraffes lettuce at an eye-to-eye level

Completion:Fall 2015

5. ELEPHANT HOLDING BUILDING

Size: 29,000+ square feet

Features:Largest elephant quarters in North America, first year-round viewing of elephants at the zoo, crane accessibility, automatic feeders, on-site health equipment, separate bull yard

Open for touring:July 2015

6. ELEPHANT HABITAT

Animals:African elephants (3 to 7, hoped-for arrival in late 2015)

Features:Yard space all their own connected to the elephant holding building, includes a bridge across the railroad tracks into the mixed species habitat

7. ELEPHANT AMPHITHEATER

Features:Elephant training demonstrations, seating for spectators

Completion:Fall 2015

8. MIXED SPECIES HABITAT

Animals:African elephants, male impala, plains zebras

Features:Elephant wading pool, mud bath, sand pit and hay shelves with timed drops that encourage animals to move about the area

Completion:Fall 2015

9. AFRICAN LODGE

Features:Concessions serving American and African cuisine, restrooms, indoor/outdoor seating for 300, rental space for private functions and overnight camping, faux thatch roof, stone fireplace

On the menu:Beef braai sandwich (pulled beef with sweet and smoky sauce), boerewors sausage (spicy South African sausage), peri-peri chicken flatbread (breaded chicken bites with sauce, lettuce and relish), sweet potato fries; also serving American cuisine

Completion:Open now

10. KENEFICK TRAIN STATION

Features:Independent ticketing booth, African architecture, replaces previous train station in south end of zoo

Completion:Open now

11. AFRICAN PYGMY GOAT KRAAL

Pronunciation:Like "crawl"

Animals:African pygmy goats (about 6)

What is it:Enclosure where visitors can feed and brush the goats

Completion:Summer 2015

12. GARDEN OF THE SENSES

Features:Sensory garden with 250+ species of trees, perennials, herbs and flowers, includes birds, fountains and sculptures

13. MAMMOTH SCULPTURE Features:A life-size Columbian mammoth sculpture modeled after Archie, the state fossil, and sculpted by Hastings native Gary Staab

Completion:Spring 2016

14. LAGOON

Animals:White-faced whistling ducks and pink-backed pelicans, in addition to existing animals

Features:Existing lagoon will add new species of animals, a sea wall and a new south bridge; it has been drained, and Japanese koi have been temporarily relocated to the lemur lagoon near Expedition Madagascar

Completion:Summer 2015

15. CHEETAH HABITAT

Features:Unobstructed views with no fencing, heated rocks

Completion:Spring 2016

16. BONGO HABITAT

Features:Training demonstration area, site will require demolition of existing concessions and restroom near sea lions

Completion:Spring 2016

17. CHILDREN'S ROCK KOPJE TRAIL

Features:Rocky pathway for kids to explore, hands-on fossil replicas including Nebraska-native saber-toothed cats

Completion:Spring 2016

18. LION HABITAT

Features:Seating area for animal training, large rock for visitors to share a seat with a lion (separated by glass panes). Lions sit on heated rocky outcroppings, roaring out to the valley below. Lions will be at eye level with Skyfari riders.

Completion:Spring 2016

19. GAME MANAGEMENT HEADQUARTERS

Features:Tools used in wildlife management including animal shipping crates, a safari vehicle and an interactive grounded helicopter

Completion:Spring 2016

20. SAFARI TENT CAMP

Features:The zoo's first safari-style outdoor camping area, which includes rainproof tents with electricity and sinks, a campfire area and staff-led morning and evening hikes.

Completion:Spring 2016

21. SKYFARI STATION (existing)

22. SABLE ANTELOPE HABITAT

Features:Training demonstration area

Completion:Spring 2016

23. SPUR-THIGHED TORTOISE HABITAT

Features:Tortoises crawling around on land

Completion:Spring 2016

24. SEA LION (existing)