Sneak Peek Into Tulsa Zoo's New Elephant Preserve Barn

A project years in the making neared its end as the Oxley Family Elephant Experience and Elephant Preserve Barn prepared to welcome its newest occupants.

"The team is so excited. We can't wait to hear our first trumpets in here and the elephants exploring their new habitat. We're pretty sure it's going to be a pretty vocal event," said the zoological manager of elephants, Jessica Scallan. 

Scallan has worked at the Tulsa Zoo for 23 years.

"I met my first elephant at five years old, and ever since then, I said I wanted to have a career in elephants," she said. 

She's seen the elephant exhibit go through several different stages during her time at the zoo but said this is a day she's been waiting for.

"To be part of this and see the growth and the investment that the Tulsa Zoo has made to this species just alone in this development of this new habitat is just outstanding," Scallan said. 

The new facility is more than 36,000 square feet and has more than 10 acres of land for elephants to roam, land that the curator of mammals says will allow the zoo to hold up to 15 elephants.

"We hope to bring in a multigenerational herd. We hope to ensure the future of elephants here in Tulsa," Jordan Piha said. 

Inside, there are heated floors, areas for more intensive medical care, enrichment pools, a rain system, and a visitor overlook.

"You're going to hear all the things and smell all the things and really get that immersion factor," Scallan said.

When the exhibit is completed, it will be one of the largest Association of Zoos and Aquariums facilities of its kind in North America. 

The Tulsa Zoo also has plans to renovate the old elephant exhibit and interpretive center by making barn improvements and additional guest amenities. Once this phase is complete, there will be 15 acres of land for the elephants. 

Not only is the staff excited for the public to catch a glimpse of the new exhibit, but they can't wait to move the elephants into their new home. The exhibit will be open to the public later in 2024.