1 week Ago By Journal Record Staff
TULSA — Tulsa Zoo is again expanding its Asian elephant herd. Billy, a 40-year-old bull, and Tina, a 59-year-old female, will relocate later this year from the Los Angeles Zoo to the new Mary K. and John T.
Oxley Family Elephant Experience and Elephant Preserve. The zoo has a long history of caring for elephants, starting with Gunda in 1954. The current herd includes males Sneezy and Hank and females Sooky, Booper and Connie.
The zoo’s expertise with elephant introductions, managing multiple bulls and individualized care plans are among the reasons Tulsa Zoo was selected to receive Billy and Tina. “For 70 years, the Tulsa Zoo has been dedicated to providing excellent care for Asian elephants at all stages of life,” said Tulsa Zoo Vice President of Animal Conservation and Science Joe Barkowski. “Ultimately, the decision to relocate is based on the unique needs of the individual animals.
The decision is a collaborative one that includes our accrediting body, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This move is an example of AZA-accredited zoos working together in the best interest of individual elephants.” Tulsa Zoo has dedicated 17 of its 124 acres to elephants.
The zoo in 2024 opened a new, 36,650-square-foot barn and added about 2 acres of dedicated yard space. The zoo recently opened the former elephant exhibit as the Elephant Experience. The changes include an extensive renovation of the elephant interpretive center, barn, and outdoor spaces that originally opened in 1995.
The Elephant Experience provides indoor and outdoor viewing opportunities of Asian elephants and an elephant interpretive center where guests can learn more about the world of elephants. It will serve as the guest hub for Asian elephant facilities, offering opportunities to interact with staff or docents about the elephant program, learn how the various spaces of the facilities work together and where the elephants may be visible at that moment, and even watch live video footage of our elephants in the various spaces. The new preserve, which adds another 10 acres, will be ready for exploration this summer.
“Meeting Gunda sparked my passion for saving species and set my career path,” said Tulsa Zoo President/CEO Lindsay Hutchison. “I’m proud of our zoo’s commitment to provide the best possible well-being for Asian elephants and each of the species we have the privilege to care for. “Our city leadership and the citizens of Tulsa showed their support for our commitment to Asian elephants by approving Vision funding for our recent expansion.
Because of this ongoing support, Tulsa Zoo can continue to provide the best in animal wellbeing and teach future generations that real change is possible,” she said. The Tulsa Zoo is one of the first 11 zoos to earn AZA accreditation in 1976. AZA accreditation occurs every five years and affirms a commitment to the highest standards in animal care and conservation.
Earning accreditation requires a meticulous inspection process where independent zoological professionals assess all aspects of operations, from animal welfare and veterinary care to educational programs and conservation efforts. Tulsa Zoo earned its most recent accreditation in 2023. For more information about the Tulsa Zoo, visit tulsazoo.
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