First swim in the elephant pool

The pool — 80 feet wide and 12 feet deep — is located near Elephant Plaza, a new greeting area that introduces visitors to the Elephant Lands habitat. Among its notable features are a gently sloping entry point for the elephants and an adjustable water level.

Most of the time, water in the pool will be around 12 feet deep — enough for even the tallest bull elephant, like Packy, to completely submerge. But when necessary, the level can be adjusted to ensure a little one’s safety.

The pool also features state-of-the-art filtration and water-treatment systems and a play jet that sprays bursts of water, controlled remotely from a keeper presentation area.

Elephant Lands — the fourth of eight major projects made possible by a community-supported 2008 bond measure — is a sweeping expansion of the zoo’s Asian elephant habitat that quadruples the animals’ space and dramatically enhance their daily experiences. The entire habitat opens to the public Dec. 16.

To learn more, visit oregonzoo.org/ElephantLands.

• Category

  • Pets & Animals

• License

  • Standard YouTube License