An elephant refuge

Asian Tropics will be Denver's coup

Published July 15, 2007 at midnight

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It's a marvel that a zoo in a major urban area such as Denver can comfortably accommodate large mammals - especially elephants. And indeed, Mimi and Dolly, the two Asian elephants at the Denver Zoo, are among its top attractions.

Popularity aside, zoos perform an essential role in sustaining Asian elephant populations. There may be as many as 30,000 Asian elephants in the wild. But that's only half the number that lived a decade ago. And fewer than 450 Asian elephants live in zoos in North America and Europe. Unless breeding techniques improve, the entire species may go extinct within the next half-century.

Add to that the fact that the facilities of a number of zoos across the country, including the nation's oldest, in Philadelphia, are outdated and would require major expansion to house elephants in healthy surroundings. So they're closing their exhibits and sending their elephants to sanctuaries or to zoos elsewhere that are better suited for them.

That's one reason we support the planned "Asian Tropics" exhibit at the Denver Zoo. We realize some animal rights supporters are increasingly hostile to the very concept of keeping animals confined in artificial environments far from their natural homes. But if habitat is shrinking - or if the nations in which the animals survive are for the most part unable or unwilling to ensure their survival - then a refuge such as Asian Tropics is vital.

The ambitious project will occupy 10 acres on the southern side of the facility and is expected to cost roughly $50 million. It will be home to not only Mimi and Dolly, but also to new pachyderm friends and other exotic animals, including one-horned rhinos, birds, big cats and primates.

Though the zoo currently complies with standards for elephant care established last year by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Denver officials want to do more.

They want to be equipped with the infrastructure needed to welcome elephants that other zoos cannot accommodate - especially bulls, which can obliterate natural and man-made structures when confined to the smaller habitat many urban zoos offer. The new exhibit should also place Denver high on the list of zoos that are preferred as elephant breeding locations.

In fact, when the Asian Tropics facility is complete, the Denver Zoo will be among the top half-dozen locations in North America for elephants. It will join among others the St. Louis Zoo and Disney's Animal Kingdom in Florida in providing the most-friendly surroundings imaginable in an urban environment for these creatures.

The idea behind the exhibit has been in the planning stages for nearly a decade, since Denver voters authorized a zoo improvement bond issue in 1999. Because the bond measure provides an equal match for private contributions, the zoo needs to raise $25 million from donors to reach its goal.

So far the drive has brought in more than $8 million. If the fundraising effort advances on schedule, zoo officials hope to break ground next year and start redesigning the grounds for the new exhibit while relocating other animals to suitable places elsewhere on the property.

The exhibit promises to be yet another showpiece for this region. To learn more, visit denverzoo.org/asian_tropics.

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