Work begins on state-of-the-art indoor portion of expansive new Elephant Lands

Construction workers at the Oregon Zoo unearthed an enormous chunk of history last week, excavating and removing the Eisenhower-era concrete moat that had encircled the zoo's elephant habitat from its 1959 opening until just around 20 years ago.

The 8-foot-deep moat, which hadn't been seen since an early-'90s remodel at the zoo, remained intact beneath many tons of earth in what was formerly the elephants' east sand yard. Concrete will be salvaged for re-use as structural fill — a reminder of both how far the zoo has come in the past 55 years and how far it plans to go, as progress continues on the $57 million Elephant Lands project.

Work on Elephant Lands entered a new phase March 24 when crews began laying groundwork for what will soon be known as Forest Hall — the spacious, state-of-the-art indoor portion of the habitat.

And while the site isn't much to look at now, artist's renderings and interviews with zoo staff provide a stunning preview of what the building will look like once complete: a vast, sunlit arena housing one of the largest, most innovative indoor elephant spaces in the country.

With natural light streaming in through large overhead skylights, the zoo's elephant family will move across a lush, forested backdrop seen through a 1,820-square-foot glass curtain wall.

"It will be like daylight indoors," zoo construction manager Jim Mitchell said.

Elephants won't be the only species benefitting from the design: The large windows of Forest Hall will be fashioned from avian-friendly Ornilux glass, transparent to the human eye but easily perceptible to birds. Wildlife biologists estimate hundreds of millions of birds die each year in North America by colliding with windowpanes they are unable to see.

An elephant-sized "air curtain" separating Forest Hall from the outdoor areas will maintain a constant, comfortable indoor temperature for pachyderms and visitors while providing the herd around-the-clock access to the rest of Elephant Lands' 6.25-acre spread.

"The great thing about this feature is that the elephants get to choose whether to be indoors or out," said Bob Lee, the zoo's elephant curator. "It won't be us making decisions for them."

Adjacent to Forest Hall, a spacious new indoor holding area — with three 1,600-square-foot stalls for elephant care — will replace the zoo's current holding area, which, like the long-buried moat, dates to 1959. Together, the two facilities will sit on 32,000 square feet, with a roof reaching up to 36 feet at its highest point. Both indoor spaces will be filled at least four feet deep with sand to cushion and protect the elephants' feet.

While it won't be readily apparent to visitors, the structure's rooftop will feature a huge array of solar panels as well as an 8,600-square-foot green-roof system designed to save energy, decrease stormwater runoff and absorb carbon dioxide.

Materials from the zoo's Lilah Callen Holden Elephant Museum, which closed last year, will be incorporated into visitor areas within Forest Hall, showing how Asian elephants have interacted with and inspired humans for thousands of years — and illustrating the strong bond between the Portland community and the Oregon Zoo's elephant family.

And visitors can enjoy education and conservation activities, made possible through the Oregon Zoo Foundation's $3 million Campaign for Elephants. The foundation has already raised more than $2.3 million toward its goal. To learn more or to make a gift, call 503-220-5707 or visit oregonzoo.org/givetoelephants.

Elephant Lands — which will be four times larger than the zoo's current elephant habitat — will extend around most of the zoo's eastern end, from south of the concert lawn north into the area that formerly housed Elk Meadow. The entire habitat will be completed in fall of 2015.

Activity stations near key construction sites will preview future Elephant Lands

Elephantastic, the Oregon Zoo's annual salute to pachyderms, takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 12 — and this year's event offers a chance to see history in the making.

With work on the expansive Elephant Lands habitat in full swing — and much of the zoo's eastern side a construction zone — the zoo is taking the occasion to showcase what lies ahead for Portland's famous elephant family. Activity stations alongside key construction zones will offer a sneak peek at the new zoo as well as hands-on activities themed to teach kids about elephants:

• Across from the Family Farm, near the site of Elephant Lands' future North Meadow area, visitors can design their own elephant habitat and learn more about the 96 Elephants campaign to combat the illegal ivory trade.
• Just past Red Ape Reserve, where a 160,000-gallon pool for pachyderms will be located, kids can learn how elephants interact with water at a hands-on splash station.
• And close to the recently completed Encounter Habitat, kids can play with sand and learn more about the special elephant-approved variety being used throughout Elephant Lands.

After receiving a stamp at each station, visitors can proceed to the zoo's Kalahari Room for a free slice of cake courtesy of Lamb's Wilsonville Market.

Elephantastic, free with zoo admission, is held each year on or near Packy's birthday. Due to construction scheduling, Packy himself won't be on view during Saturday's festivities. His current hangout — in the east sand yard near what will soon be Forest Hall — is visible only from hardhat areas.

Packy won't miss out on his annual birthday cake though. Keepers plan to present the six-ton senior citizen with a 40-pound whole-wheat concoction — frosted and topped with carrots, bananas, apples and sweet potatoes — on Monday, April 14, when the celebrated pachyderm turns 52.

"Packy's an elder statesman now," said Bob Lee, elephant curator. "He's the oldest male Asian elephant on the continent, and he really started it all — the focus on elephant welfare, the knowledge about elephants. We've learned so much about this species since he was born, and we're grateful for the chance to put all that knowledge into this new habitat."

Elephant Lands— a sweeping expansion of the Asian elephant habitat that will quadruple the elephants' space and dramatically enhance their daily experiences — broke ground last June. The entire habitat, which will be four times larger than the current one, will be completed in the fall of 2015.

To keep the herd comfortable during this time, animal-care staff and construction managers devised a plan to gradually expand the elephants' accessible space in phases. The project reached a big milestone in late February as crews completed work on what's now known as the Encounter Habitat — a sandy field in the southern portion of the habitat, adjacent to the zoo concert lawn.

Lee said the elephant family has been acclimating well to the new area, and visitors may catch glimpses of them there on Saturday through construction barriers or from the upstairs patio at AfriCafe. Packy has yet to explore the Encounter Habitat, Lee says, though it's not for a lack of opportunity.

"We've been enticing him out the back of the indoor area with bananas and some of his other favorite treats, but so far he's only ventured out a couple of steps," Lee said. "That's just his nature. Other elephants, like Tusko and Samudra, are much more adventurous and love to explore new things, but Packy thrives on the familiar."

Giant birds will take a month to settle into new habitat

On Wednesday morning, two doors opened inside the Oregon Zoo's new Condors of the Columbia habitat following a cue from a keeper radio call: "Release the krakens."

With a few wind-making wing beats, two massive birds flapped their way up to the highest perches in the habitat, and California condors — North America's largest birds — can now officially be counted among the zoo's residents.

Condors of the Columbia— the third of eight major projects funded by the community-supported 2008 zoo bond measure — opens to the public May 24, but before that the critically endangered birds will have a high-profile settling-in period.

Flying about the enclosure, perching high on 20-foot snags or sunning their impressive 9-foot wingspans, the huge scavengers will undoubtedly draw the interest of visitors strolling up and down the zoo boardwalk or along the path between Cougar Crossing and the Family Farm.

And, according to keepers, the birds may be equally interested in people-watching too.

Kaweah, a 29-year-old male whom lead condor keeper Kelli Walker describes as "very naughty," had been part of the breeding population at the Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation — where the zoo has participated in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service California Condor Recovery Program since 2003 — but had to be removed for behaving roughly with his mate and breaking their eggs. While not considered a good candidate for release into the wild, he should make an ideal ambassador for the species, according to Walker.

"He has been in captivity his entire life, and has no fear of people," Walker said. "In fact he finds them quite interesting. When the exhibit opens, he will probably come right up to the barrier to meet visitors. I'd have him in my office if I could."

Kaweah's new exhibit-mate, 5-year-old Tyrion, is the youngest of the three birds who will go on exhibit. Tyrion faced extensive medical problems following his hatching at the Los Angeles Zoo, and became relatively imprinted on people. His medical issues, including a severely curved spine, make him a poor candidate for either the breeding program or release into the wild, but Walker says he is comfortable with people and should enjoy his new home.

One additional condor (No. 432) will be joining Kaweah and Tyrion at their new habitat soon. He is 6 years old and just coming into full adulthood. Of the three zoo condors, he is the most likely to be pulled for breeding. He has previously been on exhibit at the Santa Barbara Zoo.

No. 432 joins Kaweah and Tyrion in soon-to-open Condors of the Columbia habitat

"Keep calm and carrion" seems to be the motto of three California condors settling in at the Oregon Zoo this month. Keepers say the critically endangered scavengers have taken to their new zoo home with nary a ruffled feather.

Condors of the Columbia — the third of eight major projects funded by the community-supported 2008 zoo bond measure — opens to the public May 24, and until then the enormous birds will continue to enjoy a high-profile settling-in period.

Kaweah and Tyrion both moved in April 9, and a third condor, known simply as No. 432, joined them in the habitat last week. Curator Michael Illig says the birds already seem to feel at home in their new space, and haven't been fazed by either zoo visitors or nearby Elephant Lands construction.

"These three are pretty unflappable," said curator Michael Illig. "Kaweah sort of rules the roost. He's the oldest of the three, and the one visitors are most likely to see up close. He's just as interested in people as they are in him."

On April 12, the zoo reopened the visitor path between Cougar Crossing and the Family Farm, allowing some fairly good views of the condors as they flap about the aviary, perching high on 20-foot tree snags or sunning their impressive 9-foot wingspans. The huge scavengers can also be seen from above by visitors strolling up and down the boardwalk leading into the zoo.

The newest arrival, condor No. 432, is 6 years old and just coming into full adulthood. He has previously been on exhibit at the Santa Barbara Zoo. Though not considered a good candidate for release into the wild, he is expected to one day rejoin the breeding population at the Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation, where the zoo has participated in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service California Condor Recovery Program since 2003.

The $2.3 million Condors of the Columbia habitat was named for the "buzzards of the Columbia" referenced in Meriwether Lewis' journals during the Lewis and Clark expedition. Though native to the region, and commonly seen here during the time of Lewis and Clark, California condors haven't soared through Northwest skies for more than a century.

Condors of the Columbia to give zoo visitors a close look at continent's largest bird

After more than 100 years, California condors have returned to Portland.

Though native to the region, and commonly seen here during the time of Lewis and Clark, the continent's largest bird hasn't soared through Northwest skies for more than a century. But starting May 24, the Oregon Zoo will offer up-close views of these colorful, charismatic and critically endangered birds at its new Condors of the Columbia exhibit. (Zoo members can enjoy a special preview on May 23.)

Named for the "buzzards of the Columbia" mentioned in Meriwether Lewis' expedition journal, the habitat is the third of eight major projects funded by the community-supported zoo bond measure.

"This isn't your standard aviary," said Kelli Walker, the zoo's senior condor keeper. "It is a home for pterodactyl-sized scavengers with complex social structures and specialized feeding habits."

Three of the enormous birds moved into the new space last month and have enjoyed a high-profile settling-in period, drawing the interest of visitors strolling up and down the zoo boardwalk or along the path between Cougar Crossing and the Family Farm. And, according to keepers, the birds have been equally interested in people-watching.

"They've been hard to miss when they're perched 20 feet up and sunning those impressive 10-foot wingspans," said Gwen Harris, the zoo's senior keeper of birds. "But once the privacy fencing goes away, the views will be even better. Kaweah has been coming right up to the window to interact with staff and volunteers."

In designing the new exhibit, staff drew inspiration from the Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation, where the zoo has bred condors since 2003 as part of the national California Condor Recovery Program.

At both the Jonsson Center and the zoo, condors are fed via an airlock-style room, where doors open and food "magically appears." This prevent the birds from associating humans with food, an association that could hinder their survival once they are released.

Another amenity of the zoo's new condor habitat is its carcass-friendly swimming pool.

"Condors love splashing around in the water," Harris said. "They also drag their food in, so we designed the filtration system accordingly."

Opening one year to the day after its 2013 groundbreaking, the $2.3 million Condors of the Columbia project was completed on schedule and under-budget, zoo officials said. It is the most recent project to be funded by the 2008 zoo bond measure promoting animal welfare and sustainability.

"This will be an inspirational grand opening," said Heidi Rahn, bond program director. "Our community made this possible. They created something that should motivate generations of visitors to take action for endangered species. And there's a lot more to look forward to in the years ahead. We're approaching the halfway point on construction for Elephant Lands, and next spring we'll be breaking ground on a new education center."

Condors of the Columbia to give zoo visitors a close look at continent's largest bird

As the Oregon Zoo switches to summer hours this weekend, visitors will be treated to some new viewing opportunities.

Starting Saturday, May 24, the zoo's gates will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with grounds open until 7 p.m. And also starting May 24, visitors can enjoy up-close looks at three colorful, charismatic and critically endangered California condors at the new Condors of the Columbia habitat.

"This isn't your standard aviary," said Kelli Walker, the zoo's senior condor keeper. "It is a home for pterodactyl-sized scavengers with complex social structures and specialized feeding habits."

The new habitat's name is a nod to the "buzzards of the Columbia" mentioned in Meriwether Lewis' expedition journal. Though native to the region, and commonly seen here during the time of Lewis and Clark, the continent's largest bird hasn't soared through Northwest skies for more than a century.

Opening one year to the day after its 2013 groundbreaking, the $2.3 million Condors of the Columbia project was completed on schedule and under-budget, zoo officials said. It is the third of eight major projects funded by the community-supported 2008 zoo bond measure promoting animal welfare and sustainability.

After meeting the condors, visitors have a chance to see history in the making, along the path between Steller Cove and the Family Farm. Work on Elephant Lands, the next major project, has nearly reached the halfway point, and visitors can watch as construction crews prepare what will soon be the northern portion of this expansive new habitat. Elephant Lands— a sweeping expansion of the Asian elephant habitat that will quadruple the elephants' space and dramatically enhance their daily experiences — broke ground last June and will be completed in the fall of 2015. 

Experts say timed feeders will give pachyderm family some food for thought

Soon the Oregon Zoo's famous family of elephants won't know where their next meal is coming from. And that's a good thing, animal experts say.

"In Southeast Asian range countries, elephants can spend up to 16 hours a day searching for food," said Bob Lee, the zoo's elephant curator. "They're eating throughout the day, getting lots of exercise — that's the kind of experience we thought about as we designed the new Elephant Lands habitat here at the zoo."

"This will not only keep them moving and exercising throughout the day but it should also provide great mental stimulation."

—Bob Lee, elephant curator

To help encourage natural foraging behaviors, Lee said, the zoo took inspiration from a species that, like the Asian elephant, has a relationship with humans spanning millennia: the horse. In the equestrian world, automatic feeders have long given horse owners a convenient way to deliver multiple feedings per day, simulating the horse's natural grazing patterns.

The feeders are equally adapted to suit elephants' needs. A drop-down door lets animal-care staff stock each feeder with separate portions of hay, browse or other snacks. Each portion is then released according to a pre-programmed timer — and drops, vending-machine-style, onto a custom-made platform that the elephants can access with their trunks.

But unlike horses, which typically receive their hay at regularly scheduled times, the zoo's elephant family won't know when — or where — their food will drop. More than 20 timed feeders, strategically placed throughout the expansive Elephant Lands habitat, will be programmed at unpredictable intervals to encourage natural foraging behaviors.

"If they come upon a feeder that hasn't released anything yet, they'll have to move along to the next one, and maybe the next one after that," Lee said. "This will not only keep them moving and exercising throughout the day but it should also provide great mental stimulation."

Keepers may find themselves equally engaged. With so many feeders spread out over more than six acres — each needing to be filled and programmed to release food at random, unpredictable intervals — feeding the zoo's elephants will become more labor-intensive and will require more thought than ever before.

"It will be worth it though," Lee said. "We've learned a lot about caring for elephants over the past 50-plus years, and we're grateful for the chance to put all that knowledge into this new habitat, which is going to make the lives of all the elephants so much better."

A recent study assessing the welfare of elephants in North American zoos found that increasing an elephant's exercise time, providing more frequent meals, and having unpredictable timing of those meals correlated with improved body condition.

"Our plans for Elephant Lands were already in motion when those results came out," said Oregon Zoo elephant curator Bob Lee. "But it was great to get that scientific validation for what we're doing."

Elephant Lands— the fourth of eight major projects funded by the community-supported 2008 zoo bond measure — is a sweeping expansion of the Oregon Zoo's Asian elephant habitat that will quadruple the animals' space and dramatically enhance their daily experiences. Work on the new habitat, which has been carefully sequenced to gradually expand the elephants' accessible space in phases, will be completed in the fall of 2015. 

Zoo moves iconic Zooliner, Centennial steam locomotive offsite for repairs, restoration

Two of the Oregon Zoo's historic train cars made their longest trips in half a decade this week. The Old West–inspired Centennial steam locomotive and the sleek, retro-modern Zooliner were transported by flatbed truck to Pacific Power Group's Ridgefield, Wash., headquarters Monday for repairs and refurbishing.

Over the summer, Pacific Power's engine experts will test the Centennial's pressure vessel, install a new smoke box and replace the steel-frame carriage on the locomotive's tender car. The Zooliner will be getting a new diesel engine with advanced emissions-control technology. Both trains will also receive custom paintwork to spruce them up while retaining their historic attributes.

The railway's third locomotive, the Oregon Express, remains at the zoo, though it is not currently running. All three trains were temporarily taken out of service last September, as crews began laying track for a new train route designed to provide unique views of animals as well as improved looks at ZooLights, the annual winter lights display.

"We're privileged to run one of the most beloved railways in the Northwest," said Teri Dresler, acting zoo director. "The work we're doing now will build on that rich history and take this community zoo into the future with some entirely new viewing opportunities."

The new railway route is part of a monumental, decade-long renovation at the zoo that is carefully phasing in all the projects funded by the community-supported zoo bond measure. Rerouting the train was necessary to provide space for a service road and the expansive new Elephant Lands habitat. The new train route — expected to debut in time for ZooLights this fall — will circle an elevated trestle in the forest north of Elephant Lands, offering views of Portland's famous pachyderms in the spacious North Meadow section of their new habitat.

"The zoo has grown significantly since the railway opened in the 1950s," said Heidi Rahn, who oversees all the projects funded by the bond measure. "Now we get to write the next chapter in our 125-year history with a train that gives visitors an amazing experience and a zoo that gives animals the great habitats they deserve."

"We are honored to have been selected to take on this special project for the Oregon Zoo," said Mark Dawkins, Pacific Power Group CEO. "This project allows us to utilize the expertise from multiple divisions of our organization to ensure the power upgrades and restoration exceed expectations."

The zoo's 30-inch-gauge railway line evolved out of plans for a children's train when the zoo moved to its current site in the late 1950s. Both the Centennial and the Zooliner were featured during Oregon's 1959 centennial celebration. A photo from that time shows then-Sen. John F. Kennedy stepping off the train during a staged wild-west train robbery.

The Centennial steam train is modeled after the Virginia & Truckee Railroad's famous Reno locomotive, which was built in 1872 and has been featured in more than 100 films, including How the West Was Won and Cecil B. Demille's Union Pacific. The Zooliner is a scale replica of General Motors' futuristic Aerotrain, which debuted in the mid-1950s. Its name is a nod to the Viewliner, a similar Aerotrain replica that was one of Disneyland's main attractions during 1957 and '58.

Pacific Power Group is primarily engaged in the sales and service of new and remanufactured engines, power-generation products, commercial trucks, commercial turf equipment, golf carts and marine-power solutions. Pacific currently operates 16 sales, service and parts warehousing facilities in Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Hawaii, and provides extended service to seven additional western states.

Zoo celebrates milestone for elephant center, which replaces '50s-era elephant barn

With the arrival of Tusko in 2005, keepers at the Oregon Zoo figured the dated, Eisenhower-era indoor portion of the zoo's elephant habitat would be put to the test. And indeed, it didn't take long before the inquisitive 13,000-pound bull elephant, one of the largest in the country, began exploring every inch of that facility. In one of the rooms, Tusko soon realized that by standing on his hind legs, with front legs atop a hay feeder, he could reach up with his trunk and knock holes in the ceiling. That ceiling was 21 feet up.

"This is the most ambitious stage of the most ambitious project in the zoo's history."

—Wayne Starkey, zoo bond project engineer

Elephants, which are adapted to stand on their hind legs and stretch their trunks to pull down treetop vegetation, can have up to a 24-foot vertical reach — similar to, and sometimes even greater than, that of giraffes. That reach requires all indoor elephant spaces to be at least two stories high.

Construction crews reached a turning point on Elephant Lands today as the most challenging tall walls of the new indoor holding area were completed. With its solid 35-foot-tall walls, this section of the indoor habitat is now the largest building in the zoo's 125-year history, but it won't hold that record for long. This week, crews will begin raising the even larger Forest Hall portion of the habitat.

"We've turned a major corner," said zoo bond project engineer Wayne Starkey. "A lot of construction is behind the scenes, and people don't often get to see the progress we're making until a habitat is complete. With the walls up, you can now understand the scale of this project. This is the most ambitious stage of the most ambitious project in the zoo's history."

The 14,000-square-foot holding area — with three 1,600-square-foot stalls for elephant care — will replace the zoo's current holding area, which dates to 1959. Together with Forest Hall, the two indoor spaces will sit on 32,000 square feet, with a roof reaching up to 43 feet at its highest point.

Both indoor spaces will be filled at least four feet deep with sand to cushion and protect the elephants' feet. Maintaining healthy feet among elephants is one of the most important tasks for animal-care staff. And — as with most things elephant-related — it is an area in which the Oregon Zoo has led the way.

Older exhibits, particularly those constructed in the 1950s and '60s, featured a lot of concrete, which is easy to clean and disinfect but can lead to foot problems in elephants. The Oregon Zoo pioneered the installation of elephant-friendly surfaces in the early 1990s and 2000s, retrofitting its facilities with natural substrates outdoors and 2-inch-thick rubber flooring inside. In 1998, the zoo hosted the first professional conference on elephant foot-care practices, convening veterinarians and elephant experts from around the world.

"We've learned a lot about caring for elephants since the 1950s," said Bob Lee, the zoo's elephant curator. "And we're grateful for the chance to put all that knowledge into this new habitat, which is going to make the lives of all the elephants so much better."

An elephant-sized "air curtain" separating Forest Hall from the outdoor areas will maintain a constant, comfortable indoor temperature for pachyderms and visitors while providing the herd around-the-clock access to the rest of Elephant Lands' 6.25-acre spread.

"The great thing about this feature is that the elephants get to choose whether to be indoors or out," Lee said. "It won't be us making decisions for them."

While it won't be readily apparent to visitors, the structure's rooftop will feature a huge array of solar panels as well as an 8,600-square-foot green-roof system designed to save energy, decrease stormwater runoff and absorb carbon dioxide.

Elephant Lands — the fourth of eight major projects funded by the community supported zoo bond measure — will be four times larger than the zoo's current elephant habitat, extending around most of the zoo's eastern end, from south of the concert lawn north into the area that formerly housed Elk Meadow. The entire habitat will be completed in fall of 2015.

New 160,000-gallon pool will make a big splash at Elephant Lands next year

As temperatures at the Oregon Zoo soared near the 100-degree mark last week, Asian elephant Rose-Tu did what a lot of moms do on hot afternoons: took her kids for a swim.

The 8,000-pound pachyderm — along with her 5-year-old son, Samudra, and 1-year-old daughter, Lily — plunged into a pool at the zoo's Asian elephant habitat, cooling off and scooping up apple and celery treats tossed in by keepers. Lily did a little "surfing" on the back of her big brother, as aunties Shine and Chendra looked on from the water's edge, wetting their toes and filling their trunks to splash themselves.

Meanwhile, just to the north of this family swim, work continued on the zoo's expansive new Elephant Lands habitat, where construction is underway on two new ponds for pachyderms: a "smallish" 5,000-gallon wading pool and a larger, 160,000-gallon pool that promises to be rare in size for most zoos.

"The 160,000-gallon pool will be the second-largest in the history of the zoo," said Wayne Starkey, a zoo project engineer who helps oversee projects funded by the community-supported zoo bond measure that passed in 2008.

The larger pool — 80 feet wide and 12 feet deep — will be located near Elephant Plaza, a new greeting area that will introduce visitors to the entire habitat. Among its notable features are a gently sloping entry point for the elephants and an adjustable water level.

Most of the time, the water will be around 12 feet deep, Starkey said — enough for even the tallest bull elephant, like Packy, who stands 10.5 feet at the shoulders, to completely submerge. But when necessary — if the herd were raising a baby, say — the level could be adjusted to ensure a little one's safety.

Both pools will incorporate state-of-the-art filtration and water-treatment systems that will completely filter the pool every hour — 24 times a day — to maintain water quality and allow re-use. (The current system necessitates dumping and refilling daily.)

The pool also will include a play jet that sprays bursts of water, controlled remotely from a keeper presentation area.

"That will be like the elephant version of the fountains at Tom McCall Waterfront Park or Jamison Square that you always see kids playing in," Starkey said. "We expect the elephants to have a lot of fun with it."

Starkey notes the pools are not mere landscape or technological decoration.

"Elephants need a variety of terrains," Starkey said. "So the family here will be encouraged to wade in and out of the pools and generally roam around the larger habitat in ways they couldn't before. Foraging for food will occur in new and different ways, too, keeping elephants curious and alert."

Elephant Lands — the fourth of eight major projects funded by the community-supported 2008 zoo bond measure — is a sweeping expansion of the Oregon Zoo's Asian elephant habitat that will quadruple the animals' space and dramatically enhance their daily experiences. Work on the new habitat, which has been carefully sequenced to gradually expand the elephants' accessible space in phases, will be completed in the fall of 2015.

Country sensation Rodney Atkins will perform July 10 at the Oregon Zoo

Music fans will notice two big improvements on the Oregon Zoo concert lawn this year: better views of the performers onstage and some amazing pre-show looks at the zoo's famous family of elephants.

The zoo's 2014 summer concert series — presented by Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, the Oregon College Savings Plan and Banfield Pet Hospital — features a new stage with better production and sightlines, more bleachers (closer to the stage) and new concession areas. But the modernization, which brings the zoo in line with the best concert venues in the country, began with the elephants.

Elephant Lands — the fourth of eight major projects funded by the community-supported 2008 zoo bond measure — is a sweeping expansion of the zoo's Asian elephant habitat that will quadruple the animals' space and dramatically enhance their daily experiences. Work on the new habitat has been carefully sequenced to gradually expand the elephants' accessible space in phases, and the recently completed Encounter Habitat often gives concertgoers a chance to watch the elephant family play, eat and hang out before the show starts. It was one of the first things music fans noticed when they arrived June 21 to see Merle Haggard.

The other was the stage and roof canopy. The 40-by-60-foot stage is roomier for performers than the previous concert band shell, which also limited both in-house and touring production. The new stage was manufactured by StageRight, based in Michigan, with a ground-support system and canopy from the Knoxville, Tenn.-based Tomcat. Both were installed by Stages Northwest, a local firm.

"Due to construction of AfriCafe decades ago, the band shell was off-center and limited guest sightlines," said Craig Stroud, the zoo's deputy director of operations.

That's all been fixed. The new stage opens sightlines that were previously blocked. And where the old band shell enveloped performers, the new arrangement invites the zoo's natural surroundings to the show. Behind the stage, lush foliage catches the evening light. Above the stage, new lighting is suspended from a state-of-the-art truss and canopy system — lighting that is easily swapped out when a touring production rolls in, as happened when Matt Nathanson and Gavin DeGraw played the season's second show June 27.

"The new stage and canopy allow the zoo to present the level of artist our guests want to see," Stroud said. "Those artists bring with them very specific equipment and production expectations."

In a competitive summer concert environment, that matters.

Not all of this year's changes have to do with the stage. Elephant Lands construction has also cut into the back of the concert lawn, where construction is now underway on a 160,000-gallon pool for pachyderms that will be 80 feet wide and 12 feet deep. To accommodate for that temporary impact, bleachers have been added, and the benefit is easy to see: It's easier to see. The bleachers create a friendly venue feel, and there isn't a seat more than 230 feet from the stage. Seat cushions with backs will be available starting with Rodney Atkins' July 10 show.

Future plans include improved food and beverage locations, modifications to the AfriCafe, a new plaza and an expanded lawn — all complete by the start of the 2016 concert season.

To purchase tickets or find more information (including show times and a full schedule), visit zooconcerts.com.

Green building to feature new conservation lab, auditorium and insect zoo

The Oregon Zoo has started designing its next major campus improvement, a new conservation education center slated to open in spring 2017. The center is intended to help the community make meaningful connections with the natural world and inspire conservation action.

"Across the zoo, visitors learn about animals, their habitats and the conservation challenges they face," said Grant Spickelmier, the zoo's education curator. "We want this center to help children and families appreciate that small things matter, both in the everyday actions they take and by connecting them with critically important animals like bees, butterflies and turtles."

"Our visitors want to know what they can do to help animals and the environment as a whole. The education center is here to facilitate that."

—Grant Spickelmier, education curator

Highlights of the space include a reimagined insect zoo and an interactive conservation-care lab. Visitors will learn how zoo scientists care for endangered animals and view the zoo's species-recovery lab, where rare western pond turtles are raised for release into the wild. Kids will get to practice some of the same animal-care activities as the zoo scientists in interactive play areas nearby.

Plans also call for an outdoor plaza with a learning garden, food and beverages and play areas for children. A flexible auditorium space will accommodate up to 150 people for lectures, documentary screenings and other conservation-focused community events.

"This will be a space for the community to share their nature exploration experiences and ideas for reducing their environmental impacts," Spickelmier said. "We want to encourage people to go out and help each other connect with natural world."

Located in the area opposite the zoo's Amur tiger habitat and adjacent to the train station, the center will provide a welcoming entry and staging area for the 200,000 children who participate in zoo camps and classes each year. While increasing and improving space for these popular programs, the new center is also intended to expand the capacity of conservation education across the Portland metro region, serving as a resource for the zoo's partners in conservation education, including the Intertwine Alliance and the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service.

The project design team for the new center is led by Opsis Architecture of Portland and Jones and Jones Architects of Seattle, with interpretive components by IQ Magic of Santa Monica, Calif. The construction contractor for the project is Portland-based Fortis Construction.

"Zoo animals are ambassadors for their species," Spickelmier said. "We help tell their stories. And what we have found is that our visitors want to know what they can do to help animals and the environment as a whole. The education center is here to facilitate that."

Early design concepts for the center — which will be the fifth of eight major projects funded by the community-supported 2008 zoo bond measure — will be on display at the zoo Aug. 12-16.

Survey responses will guide design of new conservation education center

The Oregon Zoo wants to know how you connect with nature.

As the zoo begins designing its next major campus improvement — a new conservation education center slated to open in spring 2017 — a survey launched today aims to better understand Pacific Northwesterners' relationship with the outdoors.

"This is a great time for our community to tell us what's important to them," said Grant Spickelmier, the zoo's education curator. "We've determined some of the basic features of the center, but at this early stage we're exploring a lot of exciting ideas. We want the center to reflect the desires of the people who will be using it."

Take the survey here

Zoo officials are hoping for a variety of responses from across the community to help guide the design of buildings, gardens, displays and programs offered.

"We want to know how people of the region connect with nature and how we can encourage that connection," Spickelmier said. "We want to make sure we're providing our visitors with tools and support to explore nature and take action on behalf of the natural world."

Located in the area opposite the zoo's Amur tiger habitat and adjacent to the train station, the center will provide a welcoming entry and staging area for the 200,000 children who participate in zoo camps and classes each year. While increasing and improving space for these popular programs, the new center is also intended to expand the capacity of conservation education across the Portland metro region, serving as a resource for the zoo's partners in conservation education, including the Intertwine Alliance and the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service.

Highlights of the space include a reimagined insect zoo and an interactive conservation-care lab. Visitors will learn how zoo scientists care for endangered animals and view the zoo's species-recovery lab, where rare western pond turtles are raised for release into the wild. Plans also call for an outdoor plaza with a learning garden, food and beverages and play areas for children. A flexible auditorium space will accommodate up to 150 people for lectures, documentary screenings and other conservation-focused community events.

Early design concepts for the center will be on display at the zoo Aug. 12-16. Zoo visitors can view building and garden designs in progress Sept. 13-20.

The center is the fifth of eight major projects funded by a bond supported by metro area voters in 2008. The zoo has completed a veterinary medical center, an improved water system for Humboldt penguins and a new California condor habitat. Elephant Lands, the new habitat for zoo's Asian elephant family, is under construction and due to open in 2015.

The design process launched earlier this summer; schematic designs are scheduled to be completed by late October. The zoo will break ground on the new center in fall 2015 with a grand opening scheduled for spring 2017.

The project design team for the new center is led by Opsis Architecture of Portland and Jones & Jones Architects of Seattle, with interpretive components by IQ Magic of Santa Monica, Calif. The construction contractor for the project is Portland-based Fortis Construction.

Remapped railway will circle a 20-foot-high 'erector set' in the woods

Crews this week will begin laying tracks for the new Oregon Zoo railway, which is just a few months away from reopening after being offline for nearly a year.

Circling a 20-foot-high elevated trestle in the forest north of Elephant Lands, the new ride will take visitors along a route optimized for spectacular views of animals as well as the annual winter ZooLights display, which opens Nov. 28.

"We planned construction very carefully to minimize the impact on visitors," said Heidi Rahn, who oversees all the projects funded by the community-supported 2008 bond measure. "We knew we would have to take the trains out of service for a while as we built the new route, but we kept the schedule tight and have stuck to it."

Rerouting the train was necessary as the zoo began a major transformation last year, breaking ground on both Condors of the Columbia, which opened in May, and the new Elephant Lands habitat — a sweeping expansion of the zoo's Asian elephant habitat that will quadruple the animals' space and dramatically enhance their daily experiences.

The elevated trestle, now complete, took about 25 days to build and presented some challenges due to its forested location. Three different cranes were called into service to lift, tilt and gently maneuver thousands of pounds of steel girders among the lush, leafy thickets.

"The entire trestle was assembled and bolted up like one of those toy erector sets," said project engineer Wayne Starkey. "It's taken lots of planning and logistics. If it were being built in the middle of nowhere, there'd be no problem."

The zoo's 30-inch-gauge railway line evolved out of plans for a children's train when the zoo moved to its current site in the late 1950s. The Old West–inspired Centennial steam locomotive and the sleek, retro-modern Zooliner both date to that time and were featured during Oregon's 1959 centennial celebration.

"Over the years, as new zoo exhibits were developed, views from the train were given limited consideration," Rahn said. "Now we are creating a new train experience with a greater focus on animals."

The new ride will also feature a couple of newly restored and freshly painted trains. In June, the zoo transported the Centennial steamer and the Zooliner to Pacific Power Group's Ridgefield, Wash., headquarters for repairs and refurbishing.

Colorful birds are heading to Palm Beach, Fla., as zoo preps for new education center

The Oregon Zoo's Lorikeet Landing, home to several species of the exotic and brilliantly hued birds, will close for the season as usual Sept. 30, but when it reopens next spring, some different residents will inhabit the space.

In early October, zoo animal-care staff will send more than 40 lorikeets to the Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society, setting the stage for the Oregon Zoo's next major campus improvement: a new conservation education center slated to open in spring 2017.

"We're glad that these beautiful birds will stay together in their new home in Florida."

—Gwen Harris, senior bird keeper

Construction on the center — the fifth of eight major projects funded by a community-supported 2008 bond measure— won't begin until next fall, but the opportunity to keep the colony of lorikeets together at another AZA-accredited zoo spurred animal-care staff to act now rather than wait another year.

"We're glad that these beautiful birds will stay together in their new home in Florida," said Gwen Harris, the zoo's senior bird keeper. "We'll miss them, and I know a lot of visitors will too. They're bright, colorful, noisy, smart animals. They all have distinct personalities, and they're a lot of fun to interact with. At the same time, I'm happy that Palm Beach is able to give them a good home. This was the right choice to make for the birds."

The open-air aviary, located near the zoo's Amur tiger habitat, will reopen in spring, housing bird species from other aviaries around the zoo. It will then close for good in the fall of 2015 as construction begins at the site.

"Lorikeet Landing has been a place where visitors can actually make contact with the birds when they swoop down to drink nectar out of cups," Harris said. "The new education center will also be interactive, which is something I'm very pleased about."

Highlights of the new space include a reimagined insect zoo and an interactive conservation-care lab. Visitors will learn how zoo scientists care for endangered animals and view the zoo's species-recovery lab, where rare western pond turtles are raised for release into the wild. Kids will get to practice some of the same animal-care activities as the zoo scientists in interactive play areas nearby.

Plans also call for an outdoor plaza with a learning garden, food and beverages and play areas for children. A flexible auditorium space will accommodate up to 150 people for lectures, documentary screenings and other conservation-focused community events.

Historic expansion makes way for carvings that have awed visitors for decades

Two Native American totem poles that loom tall in Oregon Zoo history will reappear on the zoo campus soon — newly refurbished, brightly painted and more striking than ever.

The totem poles — one crafted by Chief Don "Lelooska" Smith and another by father-and-son artists Rex and Ray Losey — have been on the zoo campus for decades, becoming familiar visual cues for visitors over the years.

They were relocated as the zoo began a major transformation last year, breaking ground on both Condors of the Columbia, which opened in May, and the new Elephant Lands— a sweeping expansion of the zoo's Asian elephant habitat that will quadruple the animals' space and dramatically enhance their daily experiences.

The totem poles were previously located near the zoo concert lawn and will be reinstalled at new locations in late September — the Lelooska work along the path across from the mountain goat habitat, the Losey totem pole just off the visitor pathway between the viewing area for cougars and black bears.

Lelooska's Northwest coastal style totem pole — 50 feet tall and 42 inches in diameter — was carved from cedar during a 14-day period at the 1959 Oregon Centennial Exposition. The work honors Oregonian soldiers who participated in Operation Deep Freeze, a famous multinational series of exploratory missions to Antarctica during the late 1950s. It was installed on zoo grounds in 1960 and is now on the National Register of Historic Places as well as catalogued in the Smithsonian American Art Museum database.

Since being moved, Lelooska's work has been stored on zoo grounds in a 60-foot-long, 8-foot-wide custom container. Lelooska died in 1996, so his brother, Chief Fearon "Tsungani" Smith, is leading restoration efforts, repairing cracks and rot, as well as painting, cleaning and detailing the carving. Zoo volunteers are assisting with some restoration activities, and the Lelooska Foundation, based in Ariel, Wash., is overseeing the entire effort.
Born in California, Lelooska moved to Hubbard, Ore., in the 1930s. According to the Seattle Times, he was an exceptional carver who crafted more than 100 totem poles and many more masks in his career. He even made totem identical to the zoo piece (though slightly shorter for transport reasons), which now rests at the entrance of the airport in Christchurch, New Zealand, the city where Operation Deep Freeze was based.

The Losey totem pole, made in 1977, is 15 feet tall and about 16 to 20 inches in diameter. Carved by Rex Losey and his son Ray, the totem pole was initially made for the environmental nonprofit Greenpeace but was donated to the zoo and depicts the effects of environmental pollution on Northwest animals such as otters, bears, wolves and eagles.

Of the work, Ray Losey writes: "'Survival Totem' is a 'Story Pole' with a strong message regarding a certain sharing of the planet so that all creatures may live. The animals on this pole have all suffered from habitat or rapid industrial change."

Rex Losey also passed away some years ago, and Ray Losey has been overseeing the restoration process for the work he made with his father. Ray Losey is carving new wings, repairing split wood and rot, and also painting and refinishing the work offsite at his studio.

The Loseys are part of a tradition of Native American carvers who take extraordinary pride in their craft and its cultural legacy. Rex mentored his son in the techniques and traditions of carving. Ray now carries on his father's work — as well as the work of those before him — but with his own flourish and style.

Underground heating-cooling system will raise bar for energy efficiency

Polar bears like it cool, elephants like it warm and the Oregon Zoo likes it sustainable. Now, zoo construction crews have begun work on a project that will let these two endangered species keep each other's thermostats at comfy levels via an innovative high-tech system buried 12 feet underground.

There's also a "Slinky" involved. It's called a geothermal loop.

"Gradually, we may eliminate the need for fossil fuels at the majority of buildings and exhibits at the zoo."

—Jim Mitchell, zoo construction manager

"Essentially, this system works the same way as your household refrigerator," said Jim Mitchell, zoo construction manager. "The condenser that cools the coils in your refrigerator produces heat, which is expelled away from the coils with a fan. Our system has just added another step: capturing that heat for use elsewhere rather than blowing it all away."

Heat is created as a byproduct of cooling the polar bear swimming pools at the zoo. And rather than just expel that heat, the geothermal system will direct it through rows of Slinky-like coiled pipes buried deep in the northern section of Elephant Lands.

The ground maintains a constant temperature, insulating the pipes. Then, when it's time to crank the thermostat, pumps connected to the system will deliver heat to Forest Hall, the 32,000-square-foot indoor portion of Elephant Lands.

The geothermal loop and other energy-efficient design systems are expected to cut Elephant Lands' energy requirements in half, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent and serve as the primary heat source for what will be one of the country's largest indoor elephant facilities.

Eventually, other renewable sources of heat will be fed into the geothermal system. While it won't be readily apparent to visitors, the roof at Forest Hall will feature a huge array of solar panels.

"Gradually, we may eliminate the need for fossil fuels at the majority of buildings and exhibits at the zoo," Mitchell said.

"The beauty of this system is in how it gives elephants choice," said curator Bob Lee, who oversees the zoo's elephant program. "Most of the time, the elephant family will be able to move freely indoors and out, and we'll be able to sustainably maintain a comfortable temperature for them."

An elephant-sized "air curtain" separating Forest Hall from the outdoor areas will maintain a constant, comfortable indoor temperature for pachyderms while providing access to the rest of Elephant Lands' 6.25-acre spread.

Historic expansion makes way for carvings that have awed visitors for decades

Two Native American totem poles that loom tall in Oregon Zoo history have reappeared on the zoo campus — newly refurbished, brightly painted and more striking than ever.

The totem poles — one crafted by Chief Don "Lelooska" Smith and another by father-and-son artists Rex and Ray Losey — have been at the zoo for decades, becoming familiar visual cues for visitors over the years.

They were relocated last year as the zoo began a major transformation, breaking ground on both Condors of the Columbia, which opened in May, and Elephant Lands— a sweeping expansion of the zoo's Asian elephant habitat that will quadruple the animals' space and dramatically enhance their daily experiences.

The totem poles were previously located near the zoo concert lawn and along the old train route. They were reinstalled at new locations this month — the Lelooska Centennial totem pole along the path across from the mountain goat habitat, and the Losey Survival totem pole just off the visitor pathway between the viewing area for cougars and black bears.

Lelooska's Northwest coastal style totem pole — 50 feet tall and 42 inches in diameter — was carved from cedar during the 1959 Oregon Centennial Exposition. The work honors Oregonian soldiers who participated in Operation Deep Freeze, a famous multinational series of exploratory missions to Antarctica during the late 1950s. It was installed on zoo grounds in 1960 and is now on the National Register of Historic Places as well as catalogued in the Smithsonian American Art Museum database.

Lelooska died in 1996, so his brother, Chief Fearon "Tsungani" Smith, led restoration efforts, repairing cracks and rot, as well as painting, cleaning and detailing the carving. Zoo volunteers assisted with some restoration activities, and the Lelooska Foundation, based in Ariel, Wash., oversaw the entire effort.

Born in California, Lelooska moved to Hubbard, Ore., in the 1930s. According to the Seattle Times, he was an exceptional carver who crafted more than 100 totem poles and many more masks in his career. He even made a totem pole identical to the zoo piece (though slightly shorter for transport reasons), which now rests at the entrance of the airport in Christchurch, New Zealand, the city from which Operation Deep Freeze was based.

The Losey Survival totem pole, made in 1977, is 15 feet tall and about 16 to 20 inches in diameter. Carved by Rex Losey and his son Ray, the totem pole was initially made for the environmental nonprofit Greenpeace but was donated to the zoo. It depicts the effects of environmental pollution on Northwest animals such as otters, bears, beavers, wolves and eagles.

Of the work, Ray Losey writes: "'Survival Totem' is a 'Story Pole' with a strong message regarding a certain sharing of the planet so that all creatures may live. The animals on this pole have all suffered from habitat or rapid industrial change."

Rex Losey also passed away some years ago, and Ray Losey oversaw the restoration process for the work he made with his father. Ray Losey carved new wings, repaired split wood and rot, and also painted and refinished the work offsite at his studio.

The Loseys are part of a tradition of Native American carvers who take extraordinary pride in their craft and its cultural legacy. Rex mentored his son in the techniques and traditions of carving. Ray now carries on his father's work — as well as the work of those before him — but with his own flourish and style.

Iconic Zooliner, Centennial steam locomotive return to zoo after repairs, restoration

Folks on their daily commute along I-5 or Highway 26 this morning may have been surprised to see an old-fashioned steam locomotive zipping along in the lane next to them.

Two of the Oregon Zoo's historic locomotives made their return trip to the zoo today following repairs and refurbishing over the summer. The Old West–inspired Centennial steam locomotive and the sleek, retro-modern Zooliner were transported by flatbed trailer from Pacific Power Group's Ridgefield, Wash., headquarters.

Over the past several months, Pacific Power's engine experts tested the Centennial's pressure vessel, installed a new smoke box and replaced the steel-frame carriage on the locomotive's tender car. The Zooliner got a new diesel engine with advanced emissions-control technology. Both trains also received custom paintwork to spruce them up while retaining their historic attributes.

The zoo's trains were temporarily taken out of service last September, as crews began laying track for a new rail route designed to provide unique views of animals — as well as improved looks at ZooLights, the annual winter lights display, which opens next month.

Oregon Zoo offers free train rides Nov. 22-23 in advance of next week's ZooLights

The Washington Park and Zoo Railway will take on its first passengers in more than a year this weekend. Officially, the train won't resume operations until ZooLights opens Nov. 28, but the zoo is inviting visitors to ride the rails for free during regular daytime hours on Nov. 22 and 23.

"Tracks have been installed, locomotives have been refurbished, and our engineers have been making practice runs along the new route all week," said Craig Stroud, zoo deputy director. "We're thrilled to be bringing the train back right on schedule, and we figured a weekend of free rides would be a great way to thank visitors for supporting the many improvements taking place at the zoo."

The zoo's trains were temporarily taken out of service last year as part of a monumental, decade-long renovation, which has been carefully phasing in all projects funded by a community-supported 2008 bond measure. Rerouting the train was necessary to accommodate a service road and portions of Elephant Lands, the expansive and enriching new home for zoo's Asian elephant family, set to open in 2015. Passengers riding the train this weekend can look out over what will soon be the spacious North Meadow section of the habitat.

Next week, passengers can see the zoo in a whole new light: ZooLights, a winter wonderland of more than 1.5 million brilliant colored lights, opens Nov. 28, and the new railway route circles an elevated trestle through areas of the zoo that have never been lighted before. 

The zoo's 30-inch-gauge railway line evolved out of plans for a children's train when the zoo moved to its current site in the late 1950s. The Old West–inspired Centennial steam locomotive and the sleek, retro-modern Zooliner both were featured during Oregon's 1959 centennial celebration. A photo from that time shows then-Sen. John F. Kennedy stepping off the train during a staged wild-west train robbery.