The final project in the Tulsa Zoo’s visionary new habitat for Asian elephants is now open! On Monday, April 7, 2025, we celebrated the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the Mary K. and John T. Oxley Family Elephant Experience, an extensive renovation of the existing elephant interpretive center—originally opened in 1995—including outdoor spaces and the barn.
This renovation adds to the new 10-acre Elephant Preserve and the 36,650-square-foot Preserve Barn, which opened in Spring 2024.
“Tulsa voters generously approved an investment in our zoo’s Asian elephant habitat through Vision – an investment to make Tulsa home to one of the largest facilities in North America for this important, endangered species. Within one month of opening the Preserve Barn last year, we welcomed two elephants from Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, increasing our herd to five members. Completely gutting and rethinking our former elephant barn and viewing areas increases our flexibility to manage multiple herds and care for Asian elephants of all life stages.”
– Lindsay Hutchison
Tulsa Zoo President and CEO
The completed Elephant Experience + Preserve will allow the Tulsa Zoo to share elephants with the public and accommodate a growing herd for generations to come.
Congratulations to the Tulsa Zoo, our team, and project partners: Nabholz, AAB Engineering, Alaback Design, 360 Engineering, CEC Corporation, and WDM Architects. And thank you to donors and Tulsa voters for supporting the Tulsa Zoo!
Read more about the project here.
