Elephant Lands is the largest project the Oregon Zoo has ever developed and part of the $125 million dollar bond measure approved by voters in 2008 to enhance animal welfare, conservation education, and sustainable infrastructure. The exhibit enhances the health and well-being of the elephants by encouraging activities and offering choices similar to what they would experience in their natural environment.
The habitat includes a new elephant barn, exhibit hall, Elephant Plaza Building, and indoor habitat as well as four outside habitat areas with multiple viewing platforms. The new indoor exhibit facility, Forest Hall, incorporated a state-of-the-art heating and ventilation system and is one of the largest indoor elephant facilities in the world at nearly 33,000 square feet and 43 feet tall at its highest point.
