--- title: How Zoos of the Future Might Look description: A slew of challenges from animal rights activism to financial pressures have forced the leaders of American zoos to rethink their design canonical: https://time.com/4675265/zoo-of-the-future-design/ author: Justin Worland article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2017-02-17T20:05:27.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-05-11T04:59:03.588Z article:section: Science og:title: How Zoos of the Future Might Look og:description: A slew of challenges from animal rights activism to financial pressures have forced the leaders of American zoos to rethink their design og:url: https://time.com/4675265/zoo-of-the-future-design/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: TIME og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: How Zoos of the Future Might Look twitter:description: A slew of challenges from animal rights activism to financial pressures have forced the leaders of American zoos to rethink their design twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production --- # This is What Zoos of the Future Could Look Like > Sponsored content. 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Future Proof is free at time.com/newsletters.  by [Justin Worland](https://time.com/author/justin-worland/)  ## Justin Worland Senior Correspondent Feb 17, 2017 8:05 PM UTC  by [Justin Worland](https://time.com/author/justin-worland/)  ## Justin Worland Senior Correspondent Feb 17, 2017 8:05 PM UTC A slew of challenges from animal rights activism to financial pressures have forced the leaders of [American zoos to rethink their footprint and purpose](http://time.com/4672990/the-future-of-zoos/). The cutting-edge zoos that could emerge in years to come look different depending on their location, size and structure. Here are three types—and sizes—of zoo adapted from the thoughts of visionary landscape architect Jon Coe. They represent just the tip of the iceberg for how zoos might change in the coming decades. **Elite medium-sized zoo**  Illustrations by Jing Zhang for TIME These zoos are best for smaller mammals or limited numbers of larger animals and could focus on a single category, like big cats. Pathways might allow animals to leave their small enclosures while interactive exhibits highlight conservation and offer visitors experiences beyond real-life animals. **Elite mega zoo**  Illustrations by Jing Zhang for TIME These zoos can accommodate most species thanks to large roaming areas. Zoos like this may also become the only home of large animals like elephants that need space. Visitors might view the animals in safari-like settings, traveling to the animals within their habitat. Some exhibits would combine species to simulate wild ecosystems. Any species, really, thanks to large roaming areas. Zoos like this may also become the home of large animals like elephants. **The high-rise zoo**  Illustrations by Jing Zhang for TIME These urban zoos could accommodate animals that able to be confined to a narrow space. These could include aquatic species along with a slice of the rain forest. Birds could use the space as a habitat while also spreading their wings in the open air only to return to their home in the zoo. Sea, cliff and forest attractions could be linked by special tubes to give visitors an underwater view of an ecosystem. Canopy walkways and tree houses could also be integrated. 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