River's Edge - Asian Elephant Exhibit

July 19th, 2010.

Often ZooChatters refer to the Saint Louis Zoo when it comes to a debate on what is arguably the most appealing, all-around "best" Asian elephant exhibit in North America. However, Oklahoma City might have a strong contender, and the approximately 4 acre habitat (including the barn) opens soon:

Elephant Habitat: Coming in 2011 - Oklahoma City Zoo

Those slopes look very steep. How do the elephants access the pond?

There's a ramp further to the left, and one to the right, in which the elephants can enter the pool.

gorgeousingray said:

There's a ramp further to the left, and one to the right, in which the elephants can enter the pool.

Click to expand...

Thanks g. I thought it very odd that the pond seemed inaccessible to the eles. It still seems strange that these banks are so steep...I guess they are not concerned about a baby (or adult for that matter) accidentally falling in the wrong way?

This photo actually shows the bull yard, which calves are never in. It appears that they were trying to breed one of the cows when this picture was taken. The pool is also not completely filled here. When it is, the bull Raja literally dives into the water, effectively creating his own splash zone. As gorgeousingray said there is a ramp to the left.