Sacramento Zoo cancels Elk Grove relocation plans due to financial issues

The Sacramento Zoo has officially abandoned its long-planned relocation to Elk Grove, citing economic uncertainty, rising construction and operational costs, and the need to significantly scale back the original vision for a 65-acre state-of-the-art facility. Zoo officials and the Elk Grove city cited that, to stay within budget, critical features would have to be eliminated and the new facility would ultimately house fewer species than the current Land Park location. The plan, once seen as a historic opportunity for Elk Grove following city council approval in 2024, became unworkable as the project became financially and operationally unsustainable. Donor funds allocated for the Elk Grove project will be returned, and the city will decide the future use of the purchased land. The zoo, which remains committed to its mission and its current William Land Park site, says it will soon announce new plans to address its future needs and sustainability. Officials acknowledged the disappointment for supporters but stated the decision was made with the zoo's long-term viability in mind.