LINCOLN PARK — Big cats are set to return to Chicago this fall, as Lincoln Park Zoo has nearly finished construction on the $41 million renovation of its lion habitat.

The zoo hasn’t had lions since spring 2019, when they were sent elsewhere so the Kovler Lion House could be renovated and a new habitat for lions could be built. The facility is now called the Pepper Family Wildlife Center, and it will also have habitats for snow leopards, Canada lynx and red pandas.

“We cannot wait to welcome Chicago to this fantastic new habitat for lions,” said Maureen Leahy, the zoo’s vice president of animal care and horticulture. “This project is all about innovation and providing animals with choices. We used science and collected data on the lions before they left Lincoln Park Zoo to understand what they preferred and what options in the habitat they really wanted to utilize.”

A Zipline, Plenty Of Shade In New Habitat

When the lions’ savanna-style habitat officially opens in the fall, the space will include several new environmental features. The outside space spans the full northern side of the Kovler Lion House and will have elevated rock formations, one being a large pride rock. There also will be climbing tree structures and deadfall.

Among the other changes: The large moat around the old lion habitat was removed.

Ziplines that bring food to the lions, simulating prey, also will be a feature.

There will be embedded warming and cooling elements in multiple areas. More shaded areas and hiding places for the lions were built into the new habitat, as well.

“We found that our lions actually liked options for shade-seeking,” Leahy said. “You think African lions would be well-suited for hot weather, but, actually, as temperatures started to get closer to 75 or 80 degrees, they started seeking shade.

“… With this habitat and all of the climate-control features, sheltered areas — the lions will have choices of all of them.”

Additionally, tall, savanna-style grasses and prairie-style plants will be featured in the habitat’s interiors.