June 1, 2012

DENVER ZOO'S TOYOTA ELEPHANT PASSAGE OPENS JUNE 1
$50 Million Exhibit Offers Unparalleled Views of Asian Species with a Focus on Conservation

Denver Zoo's new $50 million state-of-the-art exhibit for Asian elephants, Malayan tapirs and greater one-horned rhinos offers an unparalleled experience for guests and animals alike. Guests can see elephants swim, gibbons swinging overhead and fishing cats "reeling in" their next meal at this new phenomenal exhibit. Featuring six expansive outdoor yards, three animal crossings and more than 1.1 million gallons of water for animals to enjoy, this exhibit also offers an enriching environment for the animal residents that call Toyota Elephant Passage home.

"This project would not be possible without the leadership and commitment of our board of trustees. They personally made significant contributions and led the effort to secure more than 3,000 gifts for the project from business and foundation partners, members, volunteers, staff, children and the community as a whole, helping us exceed our $50 million campaign goal," says Denver Zoo President/CEO Craig Piper. "We are especially grateful for the generous support and commitment of our naming sponsor, the Denver Toyota Dealers Association and other major supporters, including The Anschutz Foundation, El Pomar Foundation and the Monfort Family Foundation. We are very fortunate to live in a community where so many people share our vision for conserving wildlife and ecosystems."

Occupying 10-acres on the southern edge of the zoo, Toyota Elephant Passage's expansive complex will allow visitors to explore and discover the rich history of animals in Asian culture, their complicated relationship with humans and the efforts of Denver Zoo and its colleagues to protect their future.

An Immersive Experience for Guests
Within Toyota Elephant Passage, guests will be surrounded by the beautiful animals of tropical Asia. From this central standpoint, visitors will be able to experience animal crossings at three different locations when elephants, rhinos and tapirs rotate among different yards throughout the day. Once immersed in the exhibit, visitors will encounter volunteers and staff sharing stories about animals and noteworthy exhibit features. Eye-catching graphics call out places for children to use their animal observation skills, while interactive features where they can "try on" an animal's world like a leopard's log and a gibbon brachiation station, offer children active outlets for pretend play. Themed elements throughout the exhibit help explain the diverse cultures of tropical Asia – a key to understanding the complicated relationships between people and animals. "Take Action Stations," provide a window into the zoo's conservation efforts, both here and in the field, and provide ways guests can help.

In addition to elephants, rhinos and tapirs, the exhibit also is home to numerous other animals. Species new to Denver Zoo include greater one-horned rhino, the aptly-named fishing cat, playful Asian small-clawed otters and flying foxes – bats that showcase four-foot wing spans. Beautiful clouded leopards also make their return to Denver Zoo in a specially-created habitat complete with climbing trees for this arboreal species.

Guests will learn more about human-animal conflicts in Asia in an area of the exhibit called the Village Outpost that depicts a rural village struggling to co-exist with elephants. Damaged huts and crops impart a profound message about how elephant destruction can affect local residents' livelihoods. In this particular area, residents have fled after elephants have knocked down walls and ravaged their crops. Guests also learn strategies employed by Denver Zoo and colleagues to reduce conflicts to help both people and animals.

Although conflicts have put animals at odds with people, much of the wildlife in this area is revered. The exhibit celebrates the rich cultural connections of Asian people with wildlife. The Schoelzel Family Village will be a lively hub in Toyota Elephant Passage with opportunities to explore a local market and discover Hindu and Buddhist traditions connecting people with animals. On the west end of Toyota Elephant Passage, guests will view animals free of visible barriers in the Chang Pa Wildlife Preserve. Here, gibbons will swing directly overhead as they move between three island habitats above a guest boardwalk. This area will demonstrate the importance of protecting places for wildlife and how animals are managed in protected areas of Southeast Asia. The species in the exhibit serve as ambassadors for their wild cousins and aid in showing ways Denver Zoo is working to help people and animals peacefully coexist. With these three distinctly defined regions, Toyota Elephant Passage will bring the stories of the varied animals, people and cultures vividly to life and inspire all who visit to further appreciate and support wildlife from these areas.

An Exhibit Designed for Outstanding Animal Care
No detail was too small in planning ways to support the wellbeing of animals throughout the exhibit. Asian elephants, greater one-horned rhinos and Malayan tapirs can rotate among six unique, abundant habitats. More than two miles of trail exist throughout the flexible facility to encourage exercise. Mud wallows, scratching trees, shade structures and more than one million gallons of water for swimming and bathing also have been developed to ensure active and healthy animals.

The animals' indoor quarters are also designed for creature comforts. In the Clayton F. Freiheit Elephant House, a unique system enables zookeepers to change the flooring material inside the building. Sand or soil can be moved in and out of the elephant bedrooms and the communal Koelbel Family Elephant Parlor, providing soft surfaces that can be replaced for cleanliness. This is a valuable tool to ensure the best foot care for these large pachyderms. The barn also features a self-activated shower in the parlor where elephants can choose to have a rinse by pushing a button with their trunks. In the rhino/tapir building, indoor pools are another swimming option for these water-loving species. Both the rhino/tapir indoor night quarters and the elephant house have veterinary care systems that are used to stabilize animals for veterinary procedures. The elephant house has two of these devices, one that can tilt a full-grown elephant onto its side safely for examinations and procedures.

The exhibit also will help create sustainable populations of endangered Asian species. Toyota Elephant Passage is the first facility in the country able to house a significant group of bull (male) elephants. Up to eight adult bull elephants can live in the exhibit at a time. The creation of additional housing for large bulls supports breeding programs among accredited zoos by allowing these facilities to continue their breeding programs, even when they no longer have room for an additional male. The exhibit's veterinary devices also enable the zoo to participate in breeding programs to create a stable population of this species through semen collection.

Most Sustainable Zoo Exhibit in the World
Toyota Elephant Passage was built with the highest environmental standards and recently received LEED® Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for the entire 10-acre site and all of its buildings. LEED® is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. In addition to utilizing environmental building techniques, Denver Zoo will utilize a new, innovative waste to energy system in that will convert 90 percent of the zoo's total waste stream into clean energy. The use of this system will reduce the zoo's landfill contributions by 1.5 million pounds annually, while providing the power and heat needed for the new exhibit.