Oregon Zoo Elephant Exhibit

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Elephants challenge zoos in several aspects of their care. Their size and strength make it difficult to build safe yet aesthetically pleasing habitats. Their intelligence and complex social structures demand flexibility. Designing effective homes for elephants requires creative and innovative animal-care specialists who can think outside the box.

The Oregon Zoo renovated its elephant exhibit in 1993 and is again looking to expand, with funding from the $125 million zoo bond measure passed in November. The elephants currently have an indoor area and two outdoor areas. Both outdoor areas have access to water. The front yard is filled with tons of sand, and the back yard is made up of both sand and grass. These surfaces provide a comfortable walking area for the herd. The floor of the indoor facility is covered with 2 inches of soft rubber made from recycled tires.

The zoo is exploring the feasibility of providing an off-site area for elephants. Funds are set aside for potential capital needs of off-site space.

Size

The Oregon Zoo’s six elephants reside in a 50,670-square-foot facility that includes two outdoor yards and an indoor barn. The total exhibit space is roughly the size of 18 tennis courts. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which sets accreditation standards for member zoos across the country, requires a minimum of 1,800 square feet for each elephant. The Oregon Zoo exceeds this requirement, with 8,445 square feet per elephant.

Outdoor Elephant Yards

The zoo’s two elephant yards provide a combined total of more than 34,000 square feet. The elephants spend more than 20 hours a day outside, so it is important that they have outdoor space to meet their needs. Both yards are visible to the public.

Front Sand Yard

The oval-shaped front sand yard is 8,500 square feet and features a swimming hole that allows the elephants to completely submerge. The elephants can also access an automatic shower at any time, and a shaded area lets them get out of the sun and cool off. (This sheltered area also features overhead heaters to keep the elephants warm in the winter.)

Sand throughout the yard provides a soft surface for the elephants to walk on and is much easier on their feet than packed dirt.

Back Sand Yard

The back sand yard covers more than 25,000 square feet. The yard’s most notable feature is a huge, 80,000-gallon swimming pool — large enough for 10 elephants, though it is unlikely more than three would choose to use it at any given time. Elephants love to get wet, both to stay clean and to cool off, and the pool allows them a deep place in which they can completely submerge. As in the front yard, a shaded area provides relief from the summer sun, while overhead heaters help the elephants keep warm in the winter.

The back sand yard also offers a belly scratcher: a wall with scratching surfaces positioned at different heights for elephants of all sizes. The concrete’s rough finish provides a scratching surface for bellies and legs. The corrugated exterior allows the elephants to scratch their heads, backsides and sides.

Indoor Rooms

The Oregon Zoo elephant home features six indoor rooms, one of which is available for public viewing. Combined, these rooms total more than 15,000 square feet. Each room features soft rubber flooring, as well as fans, heaters, water tanks, automatic drinkers and hay feeders.

Elephant Chute

The chute is an important tool for restricting an elephant’s movement. Hydraulically operated moving walls allow keepers and vet staff to safely hold an elephant in place while they conduct foot examinations, draw blood samples, administer injections and perform other routine medical and husbandry procedures.