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Building Elephant Trails

Making a new home for our elephants requires some heavy lifting! Construction on Elephant Trails began in March 2008, when crews began clearing the way for our expanded elephant habitats, new barn, and renovated historic elephant house. These improvements will greatly expand the National Zoo’s elephant care facilities, making an even better home for our Asian elephants.

We hope that you’ll excuse our mess as construction continues. Mark your calendars for summer 2011 and come back to see our elephants’ incredible new home.

Enjoy our slideshow of construction progress.

 

 

Construction Schedule

Spring 2008–summer 2009: Barn (an addition to the Elephant House), Habitat 2 (the area behind the current Elephant House), Habitat 3 (the area that will reach down to the top of Beaver Valley), the Interpretive Village (which will be located at the top of Beaver Valley), and the Elephant Exercise Trek (a path that will replace the road to the Bird House),

Summer 2009–summer 2011: Elephant Community Center (the renovated Elephant House), Habitat 1 (the area to the left of the Elephant House, when viewed from Olmsted Walk), and Front Plaza (the front of the Elephant Community Center).

click to See the Site Plan.

Will Visitors Be Affected?

Olmsted Walk, the Zoo's main path, will remain open during construction. From time to time, Olmsted will be fenced off briefly to allow construction vehicles to move on and off the site. Flagmen and safety personnel will guide visitors during these times.

Help Us Build Elephant Trails

click to Make a donation today.

 

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