Have You HERD? Media Open House at the National Zoo's New Elephant Community Center

WHAT: A media preview of the Elephant Community Center—the reopening of the 1930s Elephant House—featuring a new state-of-the-art indoor facility for the Zoo's elephants, including a much expanded sand area, enrichment structures, an indoor geothermal heated pool and interactive exhibits for visitors that highlight the Zoo's Asian elephant conservation efforts.

WHEN: Thursday, March 21
10 a.m. — 11:30 a.m. (Opening remarks begin at 10 a.m.)

WHERE: Elephant Community Center (old Elephant House) at Smithsonian's National Zoo
3001 Connecticut Ave. N.W.

Park in Bus Parking Lot, alongside bushes on left side of the lot. When coming in from Connecticut Avenue, the bus parking lot is the first lot on the right, past lot A.

WHO: Dennis Kelly, director, Smithsonian's National Zoo—opening remarks

Marie Galloway, elephant manager—comments about elephants and new home

Three D.C. area families—children will read their winning letters to the elephants

Ambika, female elephant, age 65; Shanthi, female elephant, age 38; Kandula, male elephant, age 11

Opening to the public at noon Saturday, March 23, the Elephant Community Center is the newly renovated elephant house where visitors can be face-to-face with the Zoo's elephants.

The center's opening marks the final phase of the seven-year Elephant Trails project. During the media preview, the Zoo's director, elephant keepers, exhibit designers and facilities operators will be on hand to talk about the elephants, their specialized care and the innovative design of the new green facilities.

Join the conversation by using the hashtag #eleFUNt.