A new veterinary hospital, a simulated veterinary play station for kids, and a 10,000-square-foot building that might hold a mix of species including reptiles and amphibians are some of the highlights of an ambitious five-acre expansion project being planned by the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.

The project, which has a working title of "Top of the World" because it will lie at the top of the hill beyond the black bear area, also will include 10 to 13 outdoor exhibits.

Some current residents of the zoo -- the Komodo dragon, snow leopards and Andean bears -- will be moved into the new area; so will the orangutans, who will get an outdoor area for the first time.

No cost estimate is available, though Henry Kacprzyk, zoo spokesman and curator of Kids' Kingdom and reptiles, said $25 million to $30 million "wouldn't be out of the question." Planning and the timetable for construction also aren't finished, but Mr. Kacprzyk said the zoo hopes to start construction on the veterinary hospital before year's end. Fundraising is in progress.

The new two-story hospital building will replace one built in 1985 that the zoo has outgrown. "We have a large collection of animals and some of the animals are large -- we have elephants, sea lions and bears," he said. "We sometimes have to juggle things to make it work."

The second floor of the hospital building will have the veterinary play station. "Kids could see what it's like to be a vet," Mr. Kacprzyk said. "They can put on a lab coat, look at X-rays, listen to heartbeats. It will open up the world of veterinarians with exotic animals."

The snow leopards will get a "bigger space, a nicer exhibit," he added. "The current exhibit was designed for three cubs in 1993 and with sort of a temporary exhibit in mind. We just have one now; we sent another one out for breeding, but that's not a problem. When the new exhibit is in, we'll be able to bring in snow leopards from other zoos. ...

"Some of the reasons for exhibits are conservation status," he said. The orangutans, snow leopards and Andean bears are endangered animals.

At the top of the hill will be the other new building. "It should stand out from Etna to Sharpsburg, one visible across the Allegheny River," Mr. Kacprzyk said.

He said tentative plans are for "a glass building almost like Phipps [Conservatory], with lots of natural light and greenery and I would hope it would be a mixed species building, not just reptiles and amphibians. But amphibians are in trouble around the world. A fungus called chytrid has dramatically affected the population. We'd like to focus on amphibians. We don't have many now."

Turning to reptiles, Mr. Kacprzyk said the zoo would like to expand to a breeding program for Komodo dragons and acquire either Philippine crocodiles or Chinese alligators, both of which are extremely endangered.

Because crocodiles and dragons benefit from direct sunlight, they probably will be in outdoor exhibits.

There will be new mammal species, too, he said. "We've discussed a lot of other animals for up top -- everything from endangered pig species to endangered hoof stock like species of wild cattle. There will be almost a discovery trail up there ... where you can meander from the reptile building and see a lot of animals we don't have now."

More official exhibit planning will start in September.

Obviously, fundraising is critical, but Mr. Kacprzyk was optimistic.

"With the economy improving, things are getting better. ... We've been supported by the community in the past," he said.

"I think Pittsburgh is going to be pleased with the zoo. It's always nice to see progress in an institution you value. It contributes to the quality of life of residents."

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