Lincoln Park Zoo Regenstein Macaque Forest

The state-of-the-art home for snow monkeys, the Regenstein Macaque Forest, replicates the animals’ natural Japanese forested, mountainside habitat.

• An outdoor environment similar to the Macaque’s native habitat in Japan was created with artificial wood, sloped terrain, an 850-gallon hot spring and 1,250-gallon flowing stream. Features 3 large climbing trees and several other live and artificial trees. 
• Draped, stainless-steel, woven-wire mesh enclosure is secured to the surrounding structures and provides additional space for the animals, as well as transparency for viewing.
• To enhance the visitor experience, 2 sheltered viewing areas with glass windows measuring 48 feet across give the illusion of being in the exhibit with the monkeys.
• 3,742-square-foot concrete holding facility to the west of the outdoor exhibit is buried under the exhibit landscape contours.
• A research area includes an indoor holding area and several observation points for scientists to document animal activity. Equipped with webcams, the exhibit combines cutting edge behavioral and cognitive research with educational interpretive learning programs, providing visitors a unique opportunity to observe primatologists interacting with the monkeys. It also features a researcher’s tunnel, nicknamed the “hobbit hole,” where researchers will conduct voluntary cognitive studies with the monkeys and observe the population as a whole.
• 800-square-foot event building is linked to the exhibit with public restrooms and a large glass wall in the multi-purpose meeting room to allow a separate close-up view of the Macaques.
• Green roofs are installed on compatible behind-the-scenes and event areas. These spaces also include recycled flooring in the meeting space and energy efficient LED lights throughout.
• Adjacent to the exhibit, a new West Gate entrance to the zoo was designed and additional dining space providing tables and seating under a canopy of trees around Eadie Levy Café.
• New Lionel Train Adventure includes a 28-passenger train that crosses over a country bridge, continuing onto a canyon and passes through a birch forest before returning to the red brick station.

Pepper has completed nearly 600,000 square feet of work at Lincoln Park Zoo over our 20+ year relationship — almost 40 percent of the entire campus.