“Guests will have indoor and outdoor viewing opportunities and an elephant interpretive center to learn more about the world of elephants.”

- Lindsay Hutchison, Tulsa Zoo President + CEO

Tulsa Zoo Oxley Elephant Experience

The Tulsa Zoo has a successful history of exhibiting and caring for Asian elephants. The Zoo’s commitment to the species and the animals in its care included a two-phase plan to improve and expand its facilities:

1. Build a new Elephant Barn + Preserve
2. Renovate the existing Elephant Experience

Together, Narrate, the City of Tulsa, the Tulsa Zoo, and zoological design specialists WDM Architects have transformed 17 of the zoo’s 124 acres to ensure the Zoo can accommodate a growing, multi-generational herd and share them with the public.

The Elephant Barn + Preserve

The new 36,650-square-foot Preserve Barn and 10-acre Elephant Preserve is among the largest of its kind in North America and designed for elephants at all stages of life. It allows the zoo to meet the evolving high standards of care for elephants required by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. The facility includes:

– 36,650-square-feet of enhanced new indoor space

– 10-acres of natural habitat

– Elevated indoor and outdoor viewing decks

– Facilities to house multiple bull elephants

– New privacy yards for new mothers and calves, as well as geriatric animals

– Staff support areas

Since opening the Elephant Preserve Barn in the spring of 2024, the Zoo has welcomed two new Asian elephants, bringing the herd count to five.

The Elephant Experience

The Elephant Experience reflects an extensive renovation of the existing elephant interpretive center, outdoor spaces, and barn, which originally opened in 1995.

It is a guest hub, offering opportunities to engage with staff or docents about the zoo’s Asian elephant program, learn how the various spaces of the facilities work together, and even watch live video footage of elephants across the 17 acres.

The building also features an improved outdoor viewing experience and a new entry with restrooms.

The completed Mary K. and John T. Oxley Family Elephant Experience and Preserve will allow the Tulsa Zoo to share elephants with the public and care for a growing herd for generations to come.

Learn more about the Tulsa Zoo here.