Akron Zoo in Ohio, USA is to add two new areas – one Africa-themed, one Asia-themed – as part of a new US$17m (€14.9m, £13.3m) expansion plan.

Opening in Q2 2019, the Pride of Africa area will feature an expanded African lion habitat, a habitat for white storks and Speke's gazelles and a goat feeding area.

The zoo is partnering with Rebuilding the Pride, an African coalition that looks to address socio-economic and ecological threats to communities in Africa’s Southern Rift communities. It said in a statement that the area will “reflect the beauty and mystery of the savannas of Kenya”.

Wild Asia, meanwhile, will open in Q2 2020 and will feature tigers, red pandas and gibbons, all of which are endangered species the zoo is actively pursuing conservation of.

The area will “will recreate the southeast Asia jungles and Himalayan forests”, according to the zoo, promising to be an “exotic adventure”.

Zoo president and CEO Doug Piekarz has confirmed that the two wildlife areas will make up the zoo's largest expansion to date. Tax levy support of US$11m (€9.7m, £8.6m) has been put towards its financing while the rest will come from private donors, which is halfway with in terms of completion.