FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
October 30, 2009 Ana Hernández
(314) 963-0747
Cell: (314) 393-3223
MASTER PLAN UNVIELED FOR NEW BIOPARK IN COLOMBIA
Saint Louis based design firm AFH Design, LLC presented the completed master plan for the new Biopark Pereira which will be located in western Pereira, in the department of Risaralda, Colombia. AFH design, headed by Ana Hernández, an architect originally from Colombia, was awarded the project after winning an international competition. The detailed plan was announced during two separate meetings in Pereira on October 26 and in the capitol city, Bogota on October 27, 2009.
The park is both a zoo and botanical garden and it will join several other major themed attractions in the “coffee triangle” of Colombia, within driving distance of the countries three major cities, Medellin, Cali and Bogota. “The biopark is strategically located, within driving distance of 29 million people” said project manager Gabriel Viveros. “This project is an important step forward for the continued growth of the region as a provider of quality themed family attractions.” Mr. Viveros said “Our goal was to create the best biopark in Latin America, and with this Master Plan, we will achieve it.” The total cost of the project is expected to be $100 million dollars.
The biopark will occupy a site which is 44.7 hectares (110 acres), most of which is currently used for agricultural purposes. Plans for the biopark define seven zones in which specific bioregions in Colombia and around the world are interpreted. The South American bioregions include the arid Caribbean Coast, the Amazon Basin, the Andes Cloud Forests, the Rocky Coasts of Chile and Peru. Bioregions in Africa and Asia will also be included, featuring Tropical Africa, the African Savannah and the Mangrove Coasts of Asia. “In creating this Master Plan, our aim was to provide state of the art immersive bioregions that interpret the habitats, and the animals that rely on those habitats. Importantly, we also wanted to interpret stories about current or historical cultures that have either learned to embrace the animals within the bioregion, or are in conflict with them” said Ms. Hernández.
Each bioregion will be represented by an “ambassador” animal, plant and culture. The ambassador animals include jaguar, Bengal tiger, flamingos, Humboldt penguin, Andean bear, chimpanzee and lion. The bioregions interpreted represent over 70% of the biodiversity on our planet. There will be seventy five exhibits in total, with nearly 800 animals, plus 20 butterfly species exhibited in a free flight aviary. “One of the hopes for this new biopark will be that it will be the beginning of an era of renewed efforts for the conservation of endangered species and habitats in South America” said Hernández.
At the presentation in Bogota, Presidential advisor Juan Guillermo Angel Mejia said, “This is a world class project and it will be an anchor for tourism in the region.” Mayor Israel Londono added, “This is the most important project; a culmination of seven years work, and by working synergistically with the national government, it will bring development and employment to the region.”
Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2010, and the park will be built in phases. The first phase will be open to the public in 2011.
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