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New Home For The Lions At Lincoln Park Zoo, But Tigers Will Be Leaving

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The lions at Lincoln Park Zoo will be getting some new digs, but it's unclear when.

The Kovler Lion House is the second-oldest animal building at Lincoln Park Zoo, built in 1912.

Zoo president Kevin Bell said the building has had a number of renovations over the years, but that it's been piecemeal.

"We've done the inside, we've done the North Side, South Side. Now, we're going to step back and do the entire building and create much, much better spaces for the animals."

Something will have to give, though, and that'll be the tigers, Pavel and Molly. They'll eventually go and, Bell says, it's 95 percent certain tigers will not be returning.

"We hope, some day, to build a tiger habitat, probably at the south end of the zoo. But for now, we want to give a lot more space and have a larger pride of lions," Bell said.

Construction won't start until the zoo finds 90 percent of the $30 million cost. The zoo also plans to build a new visitor's center.

Zoo officials also made public a big fundraising campaign they've had going under-the-radar for a few years to go along with plans to renovate the popular lion house and build a new visitors center.

Zoo officials say they've already received $87 million of the $125 million goal for the Pride of Chicago Fundraising campaign.

The zoo is also on pace to open the new polar bear exhibit in the fall.

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