WHEELING, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Oglebay Good Zoo marked a historic milestone, breaking ground on what officials are calling the most ambitious project in the zoo’s history — the Gary E. West Pridelands, a sprawling 20,000-square-foot lion habitat set to open in 2026.
Billed as more than just an exhibit, the Pridelands will offer a “transformational experience,” zoo leaders said. When complete, it will rank among the largest lion habitats in the eastern United States and the only one of its kind at an AZA-accredited zoo in West Virginia.
The new habitat will also make Oglebay Good Zoo the first AZA-accredited zoo in the nation to offer overnight stays beside African lions. As part of the expansion, guests will be able to book stays in Prideland Villas — luxury, safari-style accommodations that promise sweeping views of the lions, guided tours, and immersive evening experiences designed to deepen visitors’ connection to wildlife.
“This project represents a major leap forward for conservation, education, and the power of human-animal connection,” zoo officials said in a statement.
The Pridelands project is being realized through the generous support of Flip West and family, the Colcom Foundation, the Helen J. Prince Foundation, WesBanco, Wheeling Tire, and several additional community partners. Key collaborators on the design and construction include the Mills Group, LDL Studio, Allegheny Design Services, Vaughn, Coast & Vaughn, Harper Engineering, Waller Corporation, and WDM Architects.
With construction now underway, excitement is building for what zoo leaders describe as a “wild new chapter” in Oglebay Good Zoo’s mission.
“We can’t wait to share this journey with our community,” the statement read. “The Gary E. West Pridelands will bring people closer than ever to one of the world’s most iconic species — and inspire the next generation of conservationists right here in West Virginia.”
