Kansas City Zoo Elephant Expedition Exhibit Construction

Friday marked the grand opening of the newly constructed Kansas City Zoo’s Elephant Expedition exhibit and animal habitat. The three-acre habitat has a host of new exhibit features along with upgraded visitor amenities.

Features of the Upgraded Elephant Expedition Habitat

The new zoo exhibit construction includes a 100,000-gallon, 10-foot deep pool with a sloped zero entry access. Faux mud-textured steps have been integrated to allow for easy entry and exit from the pool. The pool’s zero entry is fed by a 14-foot tall waterfall and a long stream that bisects the exhibit. The stream originates from a large, 20-foot-tall simulated rockwork waterfall that allows the elephants to shower under the falls. To enable better access to the exhibit, a naturalistic-themed bridge was built across the stream. The bridge was developed to support the new resident elephants and zoo maintenance vehicles. Natural-looking shotcrete rockwork was strategically constructed throughout the space to disguise architectural site lines, address site grade changes, and provide an organic finish. Finally, sand was used throughout the exhibit as it provides a softer material for walking.

COST’s Role in the Kansas City Zoo Exhibit Upgrade

Working alongside PGAV Architects (Kansas Office), JE Dunn Construction, and the Kansas City Zoo, COST worked collaboratively to enhance the elephant exhibit and create a more purposeful, elephant-friendly habitat. During the new zoo habitat unveiling, Zoo Director Randy Wisthoff mentioned the popularity of the elephant exhibit and elephant keeper presentations,* adding to the educational content. The project also included a tram stop at Elephant Expedition, an elephant overlook view deck, additional shading and seating areas, ADA restrooms, and a mother’s room.

COST was hired by JE Dunn to perform shop drawings, structural engineering, a scale construction model, fabrication, and construction work. On-site construction performed by COST field crews included the pool/theme earthen/mud textures, simulated rockwork, waterfalls, and theme bridge. The decades-long relationship between COST and the Kansas City Zoo includes high-profile projects like the Polar Bear Passage, Stingray Bay, and Orangutan Canopy.

View More of COST’s Zoological Park Habitat Fabrication Projects:

• Pepper Family Wildlife Center Lion Habitat
• El Paso Zoo, Reptile and Wild Dog Exhibits
• Australian-Themed Exhibit at the Cincinnati Zoo
• Milwaukee County Zoo Adventure Africa

*Source: KMBC 9 News.