Houston Zoo Expanding exhibit
August 17, 2007 by Paris and John
Filed under News and Festivals
If you love elephants, you’ll love the changes that will be taking place at the Houston Zoo with the expansion of its McNair Asian Elephant Habitat. Presently a half-acre exhibit, the elephants will have plenty of elbow room in the new three-acre facility, making this one of the premier elephant conservation centers in the country.
The elephant area will expand with three large yards, the addition of a second pool, and a new barn that offers guests a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lives of our elephants. The new yards will be able to accommodate additional elephants, creating a true breeding herd. Two of the three yards will accommodate bull elephants.
The expansion will be built in two phases. Phase One, a $5 million project, includes an improved viewing area, a new 9,000-square-foot elephant barn and additional outdoor holding areas. Completion of the first phase is expected in spring of 2008.
The $3 million Phase Two consists of renovating the existing barns and adding much larger exhibit space – nearly an acre and a half – for future family groups in a bull yard and a female/family group yard. Completion of this second phase of the expansion is expected in 2009-2010.
