The Reed Family Elephants of the Zambezi River exhibit was a product of improving the current elephant living facility in order to increase the overall welfare for Stephanie and Cinda, long-term Sedgwick County Zoo elephant residents, and future elephants joining them from Swaziland.  While the goal of the zoo is to grow, a large part of their focus is on preserving the African elephant species that is currently in danger due to poaching and loss of habitat. Along with being iconic animals, African elephants are vital to zoos which encourages the community to learn about their species, habitat, and threats while inspiring them to fundraise and get involved in conservation efforts.

Because elephants are some of the smartest creatures on the planet, smart engineering was essential for the new exhibit. More than five acres of outdoor and indoor space transformed into the new Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley exhibit including a “King Kong Wall” to keep the elephants inside the exhibit. The exhibit opened during the 2016 Memorial Day weekend and is one of the premier holding buildings for elephants in the country with the ability to hold up to nine elephants. The indoor facility includes multiple elephant rooms with dirt flooring, guest visiting area, a keeper kitchen and keeper office areas. The facility also features an Elephant Restraint Device which rotates the animals for medical examinations. PEC and Tessere joined forces to ensure functionality and performance of the exhibit. Over a span of two years, PEC designed an irrigation system, a pressure booster pump station to support the irrigation system, and an exhibit storm water management system. PEC also made utility improvements and relocations to make the exhibit more efficient and sustainable.

The Reed Family Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley Exhibit is the third-largest elephant habitat in the country. The exhibit’s pool is the world’s largest elephant pool at 550,000 gallons and is also the first in the world to feature boat rides in the same water as the elephants which gives zoo guests a unique and memorable experience. The Sedgwick County Zoo is a destination for people throughout the Midwest and one of the top tourist attractions in Kansas. An exhibit as meaningful as this will help make memories for many visitors in the years to come.

SERVICES
Materials Testing
Site Civil

PROJECT SIZE
18,000 SF Indoor Facility
5 Acres

COMPLETION DATE
2016