In addition to the large mammals, the exhibit will also provide a natural habitat for Nile crocodiles, flamingos and, appearing for the first time at the zoo, okapi.

The city of Memphis is contributing US$5m (£3.4m, €4m) to the project with the Memphis Zoological Society funding the US$11m (£7.5m, €9m) balance. The exhibit is scheduled to open in mid-2011.

The exhibit will celebrate the life and culture of native Africans through the recreation a fishing village commonly found along the banks of the Zambezi River.

The hippo enclosure will feature a large grass area surrounded by a pool, which will allow visitors to view the animals as they swim underwater. The crocodiles will have a similar habitat, while an upland forest habitat will be home to the okapi.

The flamingo area will feature a pool with small islands for the animals to rest on.

Education and conservation issues will be addressed through signage, keeper talks, animal adoption schemes and a range of other programmes.

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