The John Ball Zoo is constructing the new pygmy hippo habitat and is hoping to earn the highest green building certification in the process.
The zoo's director of facilities, planning and sustainability, Allmon Forrester, says they are looking to get the Living Building Challenge Petal Certification for the new exhibit.
The certification includes using recyclable materials, geothermal heating and cooling, cutting water usage in half and cutting energy use by 70 percent.
The habitat is scheduled to open after Memorial Day.
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