FORT WORTH (1080 KRLD)- The Fort Worth Zoo has finished construction on its elephant exhibit. The project was part of the zoo's $100 million "Wilder Vision" project, which renovated habitats and rebuilt displays and shops.
"The zoo's constantly remaking itself, but this Wilder Vision we've been working on is probably one of the biggest things we've done in my 30 years here," says Mike Fouraker, the director of the Fort Worth Zoo.
Elephant Springs at The Fort Worth Zoocourtesy Alan Scaia
Wilder Vision started with "African Savanna," which opened in 2018. "Elephant Springs" includes green space where elephants can roam and a 400,000 gallon river.
The zoo has seven Asian elephants now and can expand to accommodate 11.
"The more we can do for our elephants, the better," says Ramona Bass, chair of the Fort Worth Zoological Association Board of Directors. "The Asian elephant situation is dire. It's much worse than the African elephant situation. We're committed. We're doubling down."
Bass says the expanded exhibit can help families see how elephants interact with each other, and families can interact with the elephants.
"They love people," she says. "They adore attention, so it's great for the elephants. It's great for the kids. It's great for anyone who comes to the zoo. Our elephants are happy. They love their life. We love them, and I think Fort Worth is probably going to be really happy to see them again."
Elephant Springs includes water hoses where people can spray streams onto the animals.
"We always like to engage the public. If the public doesn't engage with these animals, we'll never save them in the wild," Fouraker says.
Fouraker says the previous exhibit had a pool, but it was not deep enough for the elephants to swim. He says exhibits like Elephant Springs can help families learn how animals live in their natural habitat.
The Fort Worth Zoo requires reservations to limit crowds during the pandemic. People can make reservations at https://www.fortworthzoo.org/safe-start .
"What we try to do is stagger people throughout the day where we keep a set number throughout the park at a time," Fouraker says. He says most visits last two to three hours, so reservations are timed to match that span. Masks are recommended; staff continue to wear masks.
The Fort Worth Zoo will next begin construction on "Hunters of Africa & Asian Predators," which is expected to open in 2023.
