The NEW Zoological Society, in partnership with the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park, held a ceremony Wednesday to break ground on a new red panda habitat and publicly announce a $6 million fundraising campaign.

“ReNEW the Zoo” was created by the NEW Zoological Society to raise critical funds that will sustain and strengthen the Zoo for generations to come. The Society serves as an independent nonprofit that engages the community, offering support for improvements and special projects beyond what the Zoo’s earned revenue can provide.

“The NEW Zoo didn’t become what it is today by chance. It was built with intention. Over the past 40 years, community support through the Society has helped expand habitats, introduce new animals, generate more opportunities for education and maintain AZA accreditation,” said Gary Ehrbar, president of the NEW Zoological Society. “We know preserving the Zoo will take investment and stewardship. That is why we are launching ReNEW the Zoo. This campaign is our opportunity to ensure the Zoo remains a place of learning, connection and conservation.”

Brown County has committed $2 million toward the Zoo’s future through the creation of a maintenance endowment. Now, the community is invited to join the NEW Zoological Society in raising an additional $4 million. Planned investments include:

• Improved habitats for red pandas, penguins, lions, otters and other animals ($2M)
• Enhanced visitor experiences, such as accessibility upgrades and a new feeding platform for moose encounters ($1M)
• Creation of a maintenance endowment matched 2:1 by Brown County to ensure the Zoo’s long-term sustainability ($1M)

“ReNEW the Zoo represents an exciting new chapter for the Zoo and the community it serves,” said Carmen Murach, director of the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park. “Through this campaign, we are investing in exceptional animal care, meaningful visitor experiences and the Zoo’s long-term future. Building a new red panda habitat is the first step in bringing that vision to life.”

This habitat will create a more natural home for the pandas and support two breeding pairs, with the hope of welcoming red panda cubs. Inside the habitat, new climbing structures will encourage movement, exploration and enrichment.

Located beneath a portion of the Canopy Tour, the new habitat will offer guests unique views from above and provide opportunities for behind-the-scenes tours of the pandas’ indoor home. Together, these enhancements balance animal well-being with meaningful opportunities for visitors to pause, observe and connect.

Zeise Construction is serving as the general contractor for the red panda habitat project. The habitat will be named in memory of Rick Watermolen.

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The NEW Zoo & Adventure Park is a business enterprise of Brown County and protected as a public institution, which ensures accountability and affirms the Zoo’s role as a valued community resource. The NEW Zoo & Adventure Park operates as a self-supporting enterprise. To support the Zoo beyond earned revenue, the NEW Zoological Society serves as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The Society engages with the community and encourages support for capital improvements and special projects that strengthen and sustain the Zoo’s future. The NEW Zoo & Adventure Park continues to maintain its rigorous AZA accreditation, reflecting national excellence in animal care, conservation and education.