Aza Elephant Exhibit Sizes

[uszoo]

- On my blog bronx zoo fan I have been making lots of posts comparing the size of elephant exhibits. I decided to post a list of the exhibits by size below. Aza Elephant Exhibit Rankings | Bronx Zoo Fan

- Here is a list of all the Aza elephant exhibits ranked by there size. You can see that most of the top 20 were built in the last 10 years and a majority of the bottom of the list are at least 30 years old. Also note that Zoo Miami was counted twice due to it holding both species in two separate exhibits. —Overall Average Size: 1.5 Acres (Asian 1.14 and African 1.75)

Elephant Exhibit Size List

1.Disneys Animal Kingdom- 6.3

2.San Diego Safari Park – 5.35

3. North Carolina Zoo- 4.9

4.Dallas Zoo- 4.2

5.Birmingham Zoo- 4.0

6.Oakland Zoo- 3.6

7.Oklahoma City Zoo- 3.2

8. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo- 3.1

9.Reid Park Zoo- 3.0

9. Kansas City Zoo- 3.0

11.Los Angeles Zoo- 2.9

12. Nashville Zoo- 2.8

13.Rio Grande Zoo- 2.5

14.Rosamond Gifford Zoo- 2.4

15.Denver Zoo- 2.35

16.San Diego Zoo – 2.1

16.St. Louis Zoo- 2.1

16.Lowry Park Zoo- 2.1

19.Indianapolis Zoo- 1.9

19.National Zoo- 1.9

21.Columbus Zoo 1.8

22.Cleveland Metroparks Zoo- 1.75

23.Zoo Miami ( african) – 1.6

24.Dickerson Park Zoo- 1.5

24.Houston Zoo- 1.5

24.Zoo de Granby – 1.5

27.Jacksonville Zoo- 1.4

28.Toledo Zoo- 1.2

29.Bronx Zoo- 1.15

30.Honululu Zoo- 1.1

31.Zoo Miami ( Asian)- 1.0

31.Hogle Zoo- 1.0

31.Tulsa Zoo- 1.0

31.Phoenix Zoo- 1.0

31.Busch Gardens Tampa Bay- 1.0

31.Roger Williams Park Zoo- 1.0

37.Woodland Park Zoo- 0.9

37.Pittsburgh Zoo- 0.9

37.Montgomery Zoo- 0.9

40.Cameron Park Zoo- 0.8

40.Virginia Zoo-0.8

40.Cincinati Zoo- 0.8

40.Oregon Zoo- 0.8

43.Maryland Zoo- 0.75

44.Wildlife Safari- 0.7

44.Point Defiance Zoo- 0.7

44.Fort Worth Zoo- 0.7

44.Memphis Zoo- 0.7

48.El Paso Zoo- 0.6

48.Knoxville Zoo- 0.6

50.Calgary Zoo- 0.55

51.Caldwell Zoo- 0.5

51.Riverbanks Zoo- 0.5

51.Seneca Park Zoo- 0.5

51.Little Rock Zoo- 0.5

55.Zoo Atlanta- 0.45

56.Buffalo Zoo- 0.4

56.Buttonwood Zoo- 0.4

56.Topeka Zoo- 0.4

59.Six Flags Discovery Kingdom- .35

60.Fresno Chafee Zoo- 0.3

60.lee richardson zoo- 0.3

60.Sedgwick County Zoo- 0.3

63.Santa Barbara Zoo- 0.25

63.San Antonio Zoo- 0.25

63.Milwaukee County Zoo- 0.25

63.Louisville Zoo- 0.25

67.Greenvile Zoo- 0.2

68.Audubon Zoo- 0.15

Asian Elephant Exhibit List (average 1.14)

1.Oklahoma City Zoo- 3.2

2.Los Angeles Zoo- 2.9

3.Rio Grande Zoo- 2.5

4.Rosamond Gifford Zoo- 2.4

5.Denver Zoo- 2.35

6.San Diego Zoo – 2.1

6.St. Louis Zoo- 2.1

8.National Zoo- 1.9

9.Columbus Zoo 1.8

10.Dickerson Park Zoo- 1.5

10.Houston Zoo- 1.5

12.Bronx Zoo- 1.15

13.Honululu Zoo- 1.1

14.Zoo Miami ( Asian)- 1.0

14.Tulsa Zoo- 1.0

14.Phoenix Zoo- 1.0

14.Busch Gardens Tampa Bay- 1.0

18.Woodland Park Zoo- 0.9

19.Cincinati Zoo- 0.8

19.Oregon Zoo- 0.8

21.Point Defiance Zoo- 0.7

21.Fort Worth Zoo- 0.7

23.El Paso Zoo- 0.6

24.Calgary Zoo- 0.55

25.Little Rock Zoo- 0.5

26.Buffalo Zoo- 0.4

26.Buttonwood Zoo- 0.4

26.Topeka Zoo- 0.4

29.Six Flags Discovery Kingdom- .35

30.Fresno Chafee Zoo- 0.3

31.Santa Barbara Zoo- 0.25

31.San Antonio Zoo- 0.25

31.Louisville Zoo- 0.25

34.Audubon Zoo- 0.15

African Elephant Exhibit List (average 1.75 Acres)

1.Disneys Animal Kingdom- 6.3

2.San Diego Safari Park – 5.35

3. North Carolina Zoo- 4.9

4.Dallas Zoo- 4.2

5.Birmingham Zoo- 4.0

6.Oakland Zoo- 3.6

7. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo- 3.1

8.Reid Park Zoo- 3.0

8. Kansas City Zoo- 3.0

10. Nashville Zoo- 2.8

11.Denver Zoo- 2.35

12.San Diego Zoo – 2.1

12.Lowry Park Zoo- 2.1

14.Indianapolis Zoo- 1.9

15.Cleveland Metroparks Zoo- 1.75

16.Zoo Miami ( african) – 1.6

17.Zoo de Granby – 1.5

18.Jacksonville Zoo- 1.4

19.Toledo Zoo- 1.2

20.Hogle Zoo- 1.0

20.Roger Williams Park Zoo- 1.0

22.Pittsburgh Zoo- 0.9

22.Montgomery Zoo- 0.9

24.Cameron Park Zoo- 0.8

24.Virginia Zoo-0.8

26.Maryland Zoo- 0.75

27.Wildlife Safari- 0.7

27.Memphis Zoo- 0.7

29.Knoxville Zoo- 0.6

30.Caldwell Zoo- 0.5

30.Riverbanks Zoo- 0.5

30.Seneca Park Zoo- 0.5

33.Zoo Atlanta- 0.45

34.Topeka Zoo- 0.4

35.Six Flags Discovery Kingdom- .35

36.lee richardson zoo- 0.3

36.Sedgwick County Zoo- 0.3

38.Milwaukee County Zoo- 0.25

38.Louisville Zoo- 0.25

40.Greenvile Zoo- 0.2

 

[DeydraOZ]

I thought Oregon Zoo had an exhibit size currently of 1.5. At least that's the size they give when comparing it to the new exhibit that will be 6.25 acres

That's a pretty impressive list.

 

[uszoo]

I thought Oregon Zoo had an exhibit size currently of 1.5. At least that's the size they give when comparing it to the new exhibit that will be 6.25 acres

That's a pretty impressive list.

- The total site is 1.5 acres but the area avaliable to the animals is only 1/2 of that. The 1.5 acres includes plantings, staff areas and guest areas. The new exhibit still will not be 6 acres. According to zoo documents it will be more like 4 acres for the elephants.

 

[DeydraOZ]

- The total site is 1.5 acres but the area avaliable to the animals is only 1/2 of that. The 1.5 acres includes plantings, staff areas and guest areas. The new exhibit still will not be 6 acres. According to zoo documents it will be more like 4 acres for the elephants.

Huh, I never thought about adding in guest space and such to the exhibit acreage. Thanks for the info!

 

[mstickmanp]

Los Angeles Zoo's exhibit is definitely more than 2.9 acres. The whole site is 6.1 acres, but the elephant living space is at least 3.2 acres. I have seen different numbers published, from 3.2 to 3.6, and even 3.8 acres. In an old article the zoo says the exhibit is "3 1/2 acres of lush outdoor space."

Here is an article that mentions the exhibit at 3.8 acres: New $42M elephant habitat opens Thursday, despite lawsuit - LA Daily News

 

[uszoo]

Los Angeles Zoo's exhibit is definitely more than 2.9 acres. The whole site is 6.1 acres, but the elephant living space is at least 3.2 acres. I have seen different numbers published, from 3.2 to 3.6, and even 3.8 acres. In an old article the zoo says the exhibit is "3 1/2 acres of lush outdoor space."

Here is an article that mentions the exhibit at 3.8 acres: New $42M elephant habitat opens Thursday, despite lawsuit - LA Daily News

- I stand by my fiqure of 2.9 acres. Using google earth is not a exact science but I am generally not off by more than a quarter acre on large exhibits such as this. Use google maps area calculator. Maybe you measure it to be 3 acres or 3.1 but you get the general feel of how large the exhibit is. I also messurr outdoor area and when you add the area the barn covers it expands the exhibit in size. I am sure the exhibjt is not as large as some of the figures you suggest. Remember the 6 acre site includes staff areas, viewing areas, rockwork and planting. The elephant living space may well be 3.2 acres with the barn added onto the figures. But either way it is the 2nd largest asian elephant exhibit and is one to be proud of. I woukd also like to point out each elephant has an acre to roam which barely any zoos can say.

 

[Youssarian]

Audubon is expanding theirs! We won't be last on the list soon!

 

[The Vegan]

Roger Williams Park Zoo comes in at 58,400 square feet, or 1.38 acres, with 3,200 square feet of outdoor holding, according to Fabric of Africa plans: http://www.helpelephants.com/record...Elephant building and grounds description.pdf

 

[Gulo gulo]

Roger Williams Ele exhibit and holding is small considering the girls are indoors for months during winter. their indoor on-show, concrete-floored holding bay is not adequate for three girls. I couldn't care less about their rubber-floored and sand behind the holding bay, as they are forced to remain in that concrete-floored bay. their Ele girls deserve better.

 

[uszoo]

Can everyone please stop saying my exhibit is bigger than what I say. @The Vegan, this exhibit is one of the few I have personally seen and let me say it is not close to 1.4 acres. It is more like the 1 acre that I listed. @Gulo Gulo, I totally agree that the exhibit is outdated. My recomendation would be to remove the giraffes as the barn is very very small. Many times zoos measure differently than I do. Here are the reasons:
1. Including indoor area in the total
2. Including planted areas that surrond the exhibit
3. Minor error of the tools I use (not a major issue)
- Also I have major news on my blog that will be released soon.

 

[mstickmanp]

- I stand by my fiqure of 2.9 acres. Using google earth is not a exact science but I am generally not off by more than a quarter acre on large exhibits such as this. Use google maps area calculator. Maybe you measure it to be 3 acres or 3.1 but you get the general feel of how large the exhibit is. I also messurr outdoor area and when you add the area the barn covers it expands the exhibit in size. I am sure the exhibjt is not as large as some of the figures you suggest. Remember the 6 acre site includes staff areas, viewing areas, rockwork and planting. The elephant living space may well be 3.2 acres with the barn added onto the figures. But either way it is the 2nd largest asian elephant exhibit and is one to be proud of. I woukd also like to point out each elephant has an acre to roam which barely any zoos can say.

I am very much proud of it, just wanted to help make your numbers more accurate.

 

[uszoo]

I am very much proud of it, just wanted to help make your numbers more accurate.

- Ok, sorry for sounding so snappy. If you feel any on my numbers are off please use tools such as google maps area calculator and if the number is off tell me about it with any of my future blog posts using a pm or a comment on my blog posts.

 

[The Vegan]

I'm not judging your research, as it is impressive! I've seen the habitat a plethora of times before. I was just stating the plans, and we all know that few zoos achieve their plans. Such a small difference isn't that important, anyways. I agree that the habitat should be expanded - push it out to the staff road and stretch it through the Wild Dog habitat, and that could bring it to 2.5 acres!

 

[jbnbsn99]

I think I found the discrepancy between uszoo's calculations and mstickmanp's information. I think I found a small yard in between the two larger yards that was not calculated in uszoo's original post. That exhibit looks to be about .2 acres. Add the barn at .3 acres, and the numbers completely line up with the two claims.

 

[uszoo]

I'm not judging your research, as it is impressive! I've seen the habitat a plethora of times before. I was just stating the plans, and we all know that few zoos achieve their plans. Such a small difference isn't that important, anyways. I agree that the habitat should be expanded - push it out to the staff road and stretch it through the Wild Dog habitat, and that could bring it to 2.5 acres!

- One part of the exhibit I loved was the close viewing, that said it could be expanded the way you said. I would also remove the small giraffe exhibit which would allow for a bull yard and barn.

 

[Gulo gulo]

@uszoo & The Vegan, yes, move the giraffes and expand the building into giraffe yard for more holding and space. especially, for a Bull. I agree on expanding the yard, but further, towards the entrance. split the difference of the dog yard, expanding the girls yard some, and allow the rest for a bull yard. leave the service road, as it can be accessed by the bull/employees/vehicles. a short trek, if you will.

 

[mstickmanp]

I think I found the discrepancy between uszoo's calculations and mstickmanp's information. I think I found a small yard in between the two larger yards that was not calculated in uszoo's original post. That exhibit looks to be about .2 acres. Add the barn at .3 acres, and the numbers completely line up with the two claims.

You're right, I completely forgot about that yard. It is not normally accessible to the elephants and served as the "barn" when the actual barn was being built. Now it mainly serves as a transfer section between those two yards.

uszoos, you also missed some areas of the exhibit. The yard that jbnbsn99 and I are talking about is the one on the top right. The other two marked areas are part of the "left green" yard.

 

[uszoo]

You're right, I completely forgot about that yard. It is not normally accessible to the elephants and severed as the "barn" when the actual barn was being built. Now it mainly serves as a transfer section between those two yards.

uszoos, you also missed some areas of the exhibit. The yard that jbnbsn99 and I are talking about is the one on the top right. The other two marked areas are part of the "left green" yard.

- Thank you I will update that tommorow when I have the chance. I did not realize those were parts of the exhibit so 3.2 acres sounds about correct.

 

[uszoo]

- Updated list including a larger Los Angeles Area.

Elephant Exhibit Size List

1.Disneys Animal Kingdom- 6.3

2.San Diego Safari Park – 5.35

3. North Carolina Zoo- 4.9

4.Dallas Zoo- 4.2

5.Birmingham Zoo- 4.0

6.Oakland Zoo- 3.6

7.Oklahoma City Zoo- 3.2

7.Los Angeles Zoo- 3.2

9. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo- 3.1

10.Reid Park Zoo- 3.0

10. Kansas City Zoo- 3.0

12. Nashville Zoo- 2.8

13.Rio Grande Zoo- 2.5

14.Rosamond Gifford Zoo- 2.4

15.Denver Zoo- 2.35

16.San Diego Zoo – 2.1

16.St. Louis Zoo- 2.1

16.Lowry Park Zoo- 2.1

19.Indianapolis Zoo- 1.9

19.National Zoo- 1.9

21.Columbus Zoo 1.8

22.Cleveland Metroparks Zoo- 1.75

23.Zoo Miami ( african) – 1.6

24.Dickerson Park Zoo- 1.5

24.Houston Zoo- 1.5

24.Zoo de Granby – 1.5

27.Jacksonville Zoo- 1.4

28.Toledo Zoo- 1.2

29.Bronx Zoo- 1.15

30.Honululu Zoo- 1.1

31.Zoo Miami ( Asian)- 1.0

31.Hogle Zoo- 1.0

31.Tulsa Zoo- 1.0

31.Phoenix Zoo- 1.0

31.Busch Gardens Tampa Bay- 1.0

31.Roger Williams Park Zoo- 1.0

37.Woodland Park Zoo- 0.9

37.Pittsburgh Zoo- 0.9

37.Montgomery Zoo- 0.9

40.Cameron Park Zoo- 0.8

40.Virginia Zoo-0.8

40.Cincinati Zoo- 0.8

40.Oregon Zoo- 0.8

43.Maryland Zoo- 0.75

44.Wildlife Safari- 0.7

44.Point Defiance Zoo- 0.7

44.Fort Worth Zoo- 0.7

44.Memphis Zoo- 0.7

48.El Paso Zoo- 0.6

48.Knoxville Zoo- 0.6

50.Calgary Zoo- 0.55

51.Caldwell Zoo- 0.5

51.Riverbanks Zoo- 0.5

51.Seneca Park Zoo- 0.5

51.Little Rock Zoo- 0.5

55.Zoo Atlanta- 0.45

56.Buffalo Zoo- 0.4

56.Buttonwood Zoo- 0.4

56.Topeka Zoo- 0.4

59.Six Flags Discovery Kingdom- .35

60.Fresno Chafee Zoo- 0.3

60.lee richardson zoo- 0.3

60.Sedgwick County Zoo- 0.3

63.Santa Barbara Zoo- 0.25

63.San Antonio Zoo- 0.25

63.Milwaukee County Zoo- 0.25

63.Louisville Zoo- 0.25

67.Greenvile Zoo- 0.2

68.Audubon Zoo- 0.15

Asian Elephant Exhibit List (average 1.14)

1.Oklahoma City Zoo- 3.2

1.Los Angeles Zoo- 3.2

3.Rio Grande Zoo- 2.5

4.Rosamond Gifford Zoo- 2.4

5.Denver Zoo- 2.35

6.San Diego Zoo – 2.1

6.St. Louis Zoo- 2.1

8.National Zoo- 1.9

9.Columbus Zoo 1.8

10.Dickerson Park Zoo- 1.5

10.Houston Zoo- 1.5

12.Bronx Zoo- 1.15

13.Honululu Zoo- 1.1

14.Zoo Miami ( Asian)- 1.0

14.Tulsa Zoo- 1.0

14.Phoenix Zoo- 1.0

14.Busch Gardens Tampa Bay- 1.0

18.Woodland Park Zoo- 0.9

19.Cincinati Zoo- 0.8

19.Oregon Zoo- 0.8

21.Point Defiance Zoo- 0.7

21.Fort Worth Zoo- 0.7

23.El Paso Zoo- 0.6

24.Calgary Zoo- 0.55

25.Little Rock Zoo- 0.5

26.Buffalo Zoo- 0.4

26.Buttonwood Zoo- 0.4

26.Topeka Zoo- 0.4

29.Six Flags Discovery Kingdom- .35

30.Fresno Chafee Zoo- 0.3

31.Santa Barbara Zoo- 0.25

31.San Antonio Zoo- 0.25

31.Louisville Zoo- 0.25

34.Audubon Zoo- 0.15

African Elephant Exhibit List (average 1.75 Acres)

1.Disneys Animal Kingdom- 6.3

2.San Diego Safari Park – 5.35

3. North Carolina Zoo- 4.9

4.Dallas Zoo- 4.2

5.Birmingham Zoo- 4.0

6.Oakland Zoo- 3.6

7. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo- 3.1

8.Reid Park Zoo- 3.0

8. Kansas City Zoo- 3.0

10. Nashville Zoo- 2.8

11.Denver Zoo- 2.35

12.San Diego Zoo – 2.1

12.Lowry Park Zoo- 2.1

14.Indianapolis Zoo- 1.9

15.Cleveland Metroparks Zoo- 1.75

16.Zoo Miami ( african) – 1.6

17.Zoo de Granby – 1.5

18.Jacksonville Zoo- 1.4

19.Toledo Zoo- 1.2

20.Hogle Zoo- 1.0

20.Roger Williams Park Zoo- 1.0

22.Pittsburgh Zoo- 0.9

22.Montgomery Zoo- 0.9

24.Cameron Park Zoo- 0.8

24.Virginia Zoo-0.8

26.Maryland Zoo- 0.75

27.Wildlife Safari- 0.7

27.Memphis Zoo- 0.7

29.Knoxville Zoo- 0.6

30.Caldwell Zoo- 0.5

30.Riverbanks Zoo- 0.5

30.Seneca Park Zoo- 0.5

33.Zoo Atlanta- 0.45

34.Topeka Zoo- 0.4

35.Six Flags Discovery Kingdom- .35

36.lee richardson zoo- 0.3

36.Sedgwick County Zoo- 0.3

38.Milwaukee County Zoo- 0.25

38.Louisville Zoo- 0.25

40.Greenvile Zoo- 0.2

 

[uszoo]

I am pleased to announce that I will be doing a part 2 to my elephant series featuring more information, photos, and a rating of the exhibit. If you have 2 minutes please fill out this quick survey on an elephant exhibit you have visited. You can fill it out as many times as you want
Aza Elephant Exhibits