The long-awaited Harry and Linda Fath Elephant Trek habitat will soon open at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden .
The zoo announced Wednesday that the new habitat, dubbed the biggest in the history of the zoo, will open Tuesday, Oct. 1. According to a press release, zoo members will get to preview the Elephant Trek and the new event space the weekend before the grand opening.
“It’s important to us that future generations get the chance to see and be inspired by these amazing creatures,” said Harry Fath, whose $50 million donation made Elephant Trek possible. “The work that Cincinnati Zoo does to care for elephants here and in Asia is something that we are proud to support.”
The elephant habitat features multiple inside spaces in the Farmer Family Foundation Elephant Center, as well as three outdoor yards. The flexible design helps the elephant keeper team manage the herd, especially during the introduction phase, which often requires the separation of the animals.
Visitors will enter Elephant Trek through the Komminsk Asian Waterfall Garden. The habitat’s landscaping was designed to mimic the elephant’s natural environment in the forests of Southeast Asia, per the press release.