2009

The elephant habitat of the Harry and Grace Steele Elephant Odyssey provided a spectacular, spacious new home for the Zoo’s elephants. It included a pool for wading and swimming; walking areas with various levels, types, and depths of soil and sand; areas that could be opened or closed for managing social groups and introductions; and structures called “utilitrees” for shade, heat, and enrichment. The habitat also featured a unique facility for the Zoo’s aging elephants: the Conrad Prebys Elephant Care Center, where keepers could interact with the elephants using positive reinforcement and protected contact techniques to provide them with foot care, health checks, training, medications, and whatever support they might need for their rest of their lives.