Asian Highlands Exhibit Opening at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Asian Highlands, the new state-of-the-art destination at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, is now open to the public.

The immersive addition is home to Amur and snow leopards, red panda and a new species to the Zoo, takin.

Takin at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Red panda at Asian Highlands at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

One of Asian Highlands’ residents, the Amur leopard, is the most endangered big cat species on Earth with fewer than 100 animals estimated to remain in the wild.

Amur leopard at Asian Highlands at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

See photos and videos of the new Asian Highlands exhibit 

Traditional Hmong Dances at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo opened a new Asian Highlands exhibit and celebrated with some Asian performances.

Paj Tawg Tshiab (which directly translates to "blooming flower" in Hmong) is a traditional dance group focused on preserving the performing arts of the Hmong people. Paj Tawg Tshiab is based in Akron, Ohio.

Pictures and videos of the Hmong dances at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Bharathanatyam Classical Indian dance at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

A new state-of-the-art destination at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is called Asian Highlands and is home to Amur and snow leopards, red panda and a new species to the Zoo, takin. The new destination includes significantly larger and more complex habitats for the animals. Asian Highlands will also feature several glass viewing areas where guests can get nose to nose with some of their favorite animals. The architecture of the structure is designed with elements representative of central China, the region these species are native to.

To celebrate the grand opening of the new Asian Highlands destination there were several Asian performances including a Bharatanatyam dance from Tamil Nadu in southern India by 7th grader Deepa Raman.

Performing in front of a bear habitat, Deepa began by balancing and dancing on a mudpot and then told the story of the 10 avatars of Vishnu and three animals - deer, peacock and snake - in her dance.

See more photos and video of the Bharatanatyam dance 

Asian Highlands groundbreaking at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Dan Hanson was on site for the groundbreaking of the new Asian Highlands exhibit at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

The area will open in Summer 2018 and will be home to the Zoo’s Amur Leopard, snow leopard, red pandas and takin.

 Central Chinese influenced architecture and other elements of Asian culture will be incorporated.

 After a quick look at the future space the gold shovels were grabbed and the groundbreaking commenced.

More from the new Asian Highlands exhibit at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Where the Asian Highlands exhibit animals come from

Chris Kuhar, Executive Director of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo spoke at the groundbreaking of the new Asian Highlands exhibit at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

 The area will open in summer 2018 and will be home to the Zoo’s Amur leopard, snow leopard, red pandas and takin.

Dr. Kuhar said the animals all live in medium to high altitudes.  The Snow Leopard is from Western China, the Red Pandas from more Central China and the Amur Leopard from the Eastern coastal regions.

More from the new Asian Highlands exhibit at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

Zoos around the world have a responsibility – Bruce Rinker

Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman told of the Zoo’s new tagline “Securing the Future of Wildlife” and then introduced Cleveland Metroparks Board of Park Commissioners Chair Bruce G. Rinker who spoke at the groundbreaking of the new Asian Highlands exhibit at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

The area will open in Summer 2018 and will be home to the Zoo’s Amur leopard, snow leopard, red pandas and takin.  Rinker spoke of the responsibility that zoos around the world have and how Cleveland is leading the way.

See more of the new Asian Highlands exhibit at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo