The Mary K. and John T. Oxley Family Elephant Experience and Elephant Preserve

(open now)

100% Funded

$100 million
$32.8 million

Tulsa Zoo has been caring for Asian elephants for more than 70 years. Driven by our commitment to the species and the individual animals in our care, we opened The Mary K. and John T. Oxley Family Elephant Experience and Elephant Preserve on April 7, 2025. The reimagined habitat is among the largest of its kind in North America and was designed for elephants at all stages of life — a true visionary project our community deserves.

Funded through Vision Tulsa and private funds, this project:

  • Updated the existing outdoor exhibit areas and barn
  • Added a 36,650 square-foot elephant barn
  • Added 10 acres for elephants to roam freely
  • Gave us the ability to house multiple male elephants
  • Added privacy yards for new mothers and calves, as well as geriatric animals
  • Added guest amenities

Thank you to the Citizens of Tulsa for Vision Tulsa funding and to the following project partners:

Oxley Family Foundation | Zink Family Foundation | William S. Smith Charitable Trust | ONEOK |Betty Pirnat

Steve and Christine Cummings | Founders of Doctor’s Hospitals

Other Projects