COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is set to unveil a new sky-high transit system –helping visitors move more easily between attractions.
The fully electric Saluda Skyride will carry guests from the zoo to the gardens and back again — a gentle journey taking about two and half minutes each way.
President Tommy Stringfellow says Riverbanks will be one of two zoos in the country to use the new lift system.
“We always had a bridge that allowed people to get over to the garden side, but it was quite a little hike uphill to get to the beautiful botanical gardens, or you could drive in on the botanical gardens side and walk down hill. Well this allows us to put more amenities and more exhibits on the garden side, because we can move people quicker and safer and faster — versus waiting or walking up the hill,” he says.
One of the 19 available gondolas will arrive about every 19 seconds — accommodating up to eight people, including wheelchairs and strollers.
“They were made in Switzerland, a company called Leitner-Poma, who are the experts in manufacturing these types of rides. They put them in ski resorts, and (at) Disney as well,” he says.
Visitors will travel over the Saluda River, with views of downtown Columbia from the ride’s tallest point of just under 300 feet.
Stringfellow says Riverbanks has plans to expand another 10 to 15 acres on the garden side, bringing in new animals (yet to be determined) from Southeast Asia.
“In addition to that, we’re looking at a restaurant on the river which will allow us to feed the increased attendance that we feel,” he says.
For now, Vice President of Animal Care Creg Peccie says two-year-old Suci the tiger will be relocated to the garden side — giving her more space to roam.
“The team is already working with getting her used to going through doors, going into new spaces, going into the training crate that we have for her. And that process is just gonna continue so that when it comes time for us to make the move, she’s kind of already used to it and it’s an old hat for her,” says Peccie.
And which animals will get Suci’s old home? Peccie says that will be determined in time.
“I mean, we could be talking about doing some work to these habitats to maybe bring warthogs, or anteaters — who knows really,” he says.
Saluda Skyride will be available to V.I.P. members on August 28th and will open to the general public on August 29th.
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