St Louis Zoo Association has entered into a "conditional contract" with Medline Industries for the acquisition of the US city's 13.5-acre (5.5-hectare) former Forest Park Hospital site.

The attraction, which is the second smallest of the major accredited zoos in Missouri, said it is looking to purchase the hospital site in a bid to enhance its visitor experience.

Additional visitor car parking and laboratory space for conservation projects are among the current plans for the site following the completion of the deal, which is subject to due diligence.

The non-profit St Louis Zoo Association said the Forest Park Hospital site offered the only adjacent land available to enable the attraction to expand and sees the acquisition as a "great opportunity".

St Louis Zoo president and chief executive officer Dr Jeffrey Bonner said: "We firmly believe that this purchase would open up a great opportunity for the zoo to grow and better serve the community and the preservation of wildlife.

"If we are successful in completing this acquisition, we will begin a careful planning process to determine how best to use the new property and to re-purpose buildings there for the long-term benefit of the zoo."

Details: www.stlzoo.org