City of Santa Ana celebrates grand opening of River’s Edge at Santa Ana Zoo

The $8.6 million project is the most expansive in the Zoo's history and provides habitats for river otters and three species of monkeys.

SANTA ANA, Calif. - The City of Santa Ana celebrated the grand opening of River's Edge, Santa Ana Zoo's most expansive and innovative habitat ever, on Saturday, Dec. 20, marking a major milestone in the Zoo's ongoing modernization and transformation.

River's Edge reimagines the former Amazon's Edge area, originally built in 1990, transforming it into an immersive habitat that is home to Asian small-clawed otters, black howler monkeys, golden lion tamarins and spider monkeys. The total project cost was $8.6 million, including $600,000 generously donated by Friends of the Santa Ana Zoo.

"River's Edge reflects Santa Ana Zoo's commitment to conservation and education and is a clear symbol of how far the Zoo has come over the past 73 years," Mayor Valerie Amezcua said. "It represents the growth and innovation that is transforming this local gem into a regional attraction and center of wildlife protection. Our continued investments across the Zoo will ensure that Santa Ana families have a modern and accessible place where they can learn, explore and connect with the natural world for years to come."

The project is part of a broader wave of Zoo improvements in recent years, including upgraded primate habitats, renovations to the Crean Family Children's Zoo goat habitat with new climbing trails and interactive areas, improved paved pathways for visitor accessibility, and expanded educational and interpretive signage throughout the Zoo.

These improvements played a key role in the Zoo regaining accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) this year for the first time since 2017. AZA accreditation represents the global gold standard for animal care, conservation programming and educational excellence. Santa Ana Zoo is home to more than 260 animals representing nearly 100 species, welcoming approximately 270,000 visitors each year.

Additionally, Santa Ana Zoo is an important partner in the Southern California Wildlife Confiscation Network, providing expert care for animals rescued from illegal trafficking. Notably, the young spider monkeys at River's Edge were rescued through this network. The Zoo is also a regional wildlife rescue resource during natural disasters, providing refuge for animals ranging from black bears and mountain lions to raccoons and ducks displaced from other wildlife facilities by wildfires and storms in recent years.

Photos from Saturday's event are available here.

Learn more about the Santa Ana Zoo at www.santaanazoo.org.

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