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Biggest Habitat in Cincinnati Zoo History Set to Open After Years of Planning, Planting, and Construction!
Elephant Trek opens to the public on October 1, 2024!
CINCINNATI, OH (September 18, 2024) – Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s much-anticipated Harry and Linda Fath Elephant Trek is set to open to the public on October 1, 2024. Donors that made the largest undertaking in the Zoo’s 149-year history possible enjoyed a sneak preview of the elephant habitat and new event space last night, and members will get a chance to do the same the weekend before Elephant Trek opens to the public.
“Linda and I couldn’t be more thrilled to see the elephant herd thriving in their new space,” said Harry Fath, whose generous lead donation made Elephant Trek possible. “It’s important to us that future generations get the chance to see and be inspired by these amazing creatures. The work that Cincinnati Zoo does to care for elephants here and in Asia is something that we are proud to support. In short, our motivation for this gift was to give a gift to the citizens of Greater Cincinnati.”
The herd that will call Elephant Trek home includes bull elephant Sabu, females Anuk, SheRa, Jati, Mai Thai, and Schottzie, and two young males, Kabir and Sanjay. The hope is that Sabu will sire calves with the younger females. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium announced earlier this month that two of their females are pregnant as a result of Sabu’s temporary stay there, so the Cincinnati team is optimistic that breeding attempts will be successful here too.
The elephants have access to multiple inside spaces in the Farmer Family Foundation Elephant Center as well as to three outdoor yards. This flexible design allows the elephant keeper team to manage the herd as a whole or as individuals. It is also helpful during the introduction phase, which requires the ability to separate groups and is still in progress. Guests will be able to view elephants inside and out.
Visitors will be transported into a different world as soon as they enter Elephant Trek through the Komminsk Asian Waterfall Garden. The Asian-themed landscaping throughout the habitat was designed to mimic the natural environment found in the forests of Southeast Asia and includes plants that grow there and others that are native to the Cincinnati area, such as Catalpa, but resemble those found across the world.
The best spots to take in the beauty of the habitat are from The Brynne and Robert Coletti Overlook, which is located on top of the Elephant Center and can be booked for private events, the Western & Southern Financial Fund Picnic Pavilion, The Amy and George Joseph Terrace, and The Mary and Scott Farmer Balcony.
Food options include the new Trunk Stop, Mai Thai’s Market, and The Grove Food Court Brought to you by Mr. And Mrs. James W. Kinder Sr.
Phase 2 of Elephant Trek will open in the spring of 2025 and will include habitats for siamangs, babirusa, rhinoceros hornbills, and small-clawed otters.
Phase 1 of Elephant Trek opens to the public on October 1. Members are invited to preview the habitat on September 27 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., and September 28th and 29th from 9 a.m – 5 p.m. There is no extra fee to enter Elephant Trek, and members can visit as often as they like. The Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Members enjoy early entry starting at 9 a.m.
DID YOU KNOW…. You pay more than $10 less per ticket, on select days, when you purchase tickets online! That’s a $40 savings for a family of 4!
Asian Elephant Conservation
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species™, Asian elephants are listed as Endangered in their native range across southern and southeastern Asia. Elephant populations are in decline due to various factors including habitat loss/degradation and poaching. The International Elephant Foundation (IEF) estimates there are 40,000-50,000 Asian elephants remaining.
Cincinnati Zoo is committed to protecting Asian elephants in the wild and is a leader in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Saving Animals From Extinction (AZA SAFE) Asian Elephant Program, an AZA initiative to leverage collective expertise to protect species’ future. Learn more about Cincinnati Zoo’s Asian elephant conservation efforts here.
