On the heels of its successful Make the Big Cats Roar capital campaign, the Dakota Zoo enjoyed a record-breaking year in 2009. More than 131,000 visitors made their way to the Bismarck attraction, the largest annual turnout in the zoo’s history. The record numbers are directly attributable to the zoo’s newest attraction, the Jack and Joyce Schuchart Big Cat Complex.

“We’ve had a tremendous response to the new exhibit,” said Terry Lincoln, Zoo Director. “It’s really taken our zoo to an entirely different level.”

With the help of the Steier Group, which was hired as campaign counsel, the Dakota Zoo exceeded its Celebration Goal, during the Make the Big Cats Roar capital campaign, raising more than $2 million to fund various new exhibits and improvements at the zoo. The Big Cat Complex is home to three tigers and two snow leopards and features state of the art pools and viewing stations. Plans are now underway to construct a new Primate Center, tentatively scheduled to break ground in the summer of 2011.

“The Primate Center project will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Dakota Zoo. That’s going to be really exciting. It’s just unbelievable how the community has supported us. Our fundraising and marketing efforts have really taken off since we first started the campaign five years ago. Not only has it allowed us to provide a better setting for visitors, it also allows us to be better stewards to the wonderful animals that we’re entrusted to take care of.”