Construction is currently under way and is set to open in Spring (Fruhling) 2014. (I got to use my brand new German-English dictionary to look up Fruhling - how exciting!). I am going in April and will post some photos of the progress when I get back. Zoo Zürich - Elefantenpark
I think they should send the Asian Elephants elsewhere and bring in a group of African Elelphants for this exhibit, that would mean that this exhibit (between the excellent Gelada Highlands exhibit and to-be-built African Savannah exhibit, and then Masaola) would create an awesome African precinct.
@Arizona Docent: Wow, an American is learing another language.... (To be serious: Go ahead! And if there is no "Umlaut" = ä, ü, ö on your keyboard, then just add an "e" = Fruehling)
By the way: Would be a pleasure to meet you in Switzerland one day (unfortunately this April/May I will be in Singapore).
@zooboy28: I had the same though. But there is no interest here to change the species. First, because the Asian elephants in Zurich are a group with very well breeding results. Second, because keeping Asian elephants here has a tradition and they are more endangered then their African relatives. And third, because Zoo Basel (which is only about an hour away by car) already has African elephants.