Oregon Zoo's Kid's Zone

Enrichment for Asian Elephants

Food- Elephants are herbivores that eat anything from bamboo, leaves, shoots and grasses. An average adult elephant can eat about 500 pounds of vegetation and 50 gallons of water a day!

Families- Elephants travel in packs when migrating to find watering holes in the savannah's dry season. Males are usually solitary unless courting females but females, on the other hand are very social.

Location- S.E Asia, in tropical rainforests, tropical grasslands, and higher altitudes in countries like Nepal.

Enrichment at the Oregon Zoo

Cardboard castle filled with treats offered during the holidays

Cardboard rabbit filled with treats

Boomer ball filled with treats (see common enrichment)

Easel and paints- the elephant uses it's trunk to hold the brush and paint onthe easel. This sure is a work of art!

Scattering fruit and veggies around the exhibit

Many shady structures around exhibit to rest under during sunny days.

Pool with water for hot days

Rolling barrel feeder in exhibit- if the elephants roll the barrel with their trunks, hay and elephant feed falls out of it. The barrel is suspended about 10 ft. above the ground.

Balance beam for walking

Walks around the zoo by a keeper- these help the elephants feet stay strongand not get stiff. Also provides human interaction.

elephant's snot!

Tiger urine around exhibit to imitate the jungle

Ice treats

Learn more about elephants.