I'm pretty sure it is 2000 sqm, that's half an acre. Look on the google map and you can see the elephants in this enclosure. It really is tiny, especially for a new, state of the art enclosure.
Yeah, I think that Ashley is right. Half an acre for 5 elephants! The exhibit is definitely gorgeous, full of sand, space, sun and water...but it's still too bloody small. Also, all of the grass in the photo has obviously disappeared by now.
I just read up on an old thread:
"Yes unfortunately I am absolutely sure. I got that number from documents which were published in the internet around the time when the import of the Thai elephants was prepared. The outdoor enclosure is very little over 2.000 m² without the pools/ water moats. I don`t have the exact total of enclosure + water moats but it is definately not more then 2.500 m² in total. That is a little more then 1/2 acre."
Hmmm...
on the plus-side sydney's climate means thats 2500 square metres of space that can be utilised by the elephants year round. an exhibit of this size in the Europe or North America could be argued to be too small owing to the climate which obviously creates the need for more indoor space.
also, id rather see 5 elephants in 2500 square metres than just two or three...as the greatest enrichment for elephants is other elephants.
