Elephant Exhibit Expansion
If you’ve ever remodeled your home while you lived in it you’ll have a pretty good idea of what we’re doing with our elephant exhibit at the Houston Zoo.
Construction is now underway on the most significant improvement to our elephant exhibit in the 85-year history of the Zoo - the McNair Asian Elephant Habitat.
The expansion will be built in two phases. Phase One, a $5 million project, has just begun and will include an improved viewing area, a new 9,000 square foot elephant barn and additional outdoor holding areas.
The initial Phase One construction will expand the viewing area into the space once occupied by the
Texas Wetlands exhibit. While this area is under construction, the elevated viewing area will be closed, but you’ll still be able to see
Thai, Methai, Mac, and his mom Shanti from ground level viewing on either side of the construction area.
For the safety of our guests, the sidewalks surrounding the construction area have been closed temporarily. We apologize for the inconvenience. However, the sidewalks will reopen when this phase of construction is complete, in approximately 3 months, weather permitting. When the new viewing area and yard are complete, construction will begin on the new elephant barn.
When complete, the elephant area will expand six-fold, with three large yards, the addition of a second pool, and a modern new barn that offers guests a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lives of our elephants. This design creates a naturalistic habitat, enhancing the living space for elephants, streamlining the animal care process, and providing a world-class experience for guests.
