Photos and Updates

July 6, 2010: The walls are coming up on Toyota Elephant Passage!

Excavation is nearly finished for the rhino and tapir building on the Toyota Elephant Passage construction site. The foundation is being poured and some of the walls also are being installed.  The rhino and tapir building will be part of Chang Pa Wildlife Preserve, one of three themed habitats on Toyota Elephant Passage. Indian rhinos and Malayan tapirs will be housed there. Malayan tapirs are listed as an endangered species in 2008 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) because of loss of habitat. IUCN lists the Indian rhinos as a vulnerable species. Only 2,000 to 2,600 rhinos exist in the wild.

Other features to benefit animals at Denver Zoo are taking shape on the Toyota Elephant Passage site. Artificial trees have been completed for the flying fox and the fishing cat exhibit in the Asian Pavilion. Crews have been working diligently with zookeepers to ensure the details of the trees were perfectly suited for the animals. The trees began as a mesh frame, followed by applications of concrete and then finishing with texture and paint. The flying foxes are the only true mammal that can fly. Fishing cats are just as their name describes: One of the few cats that enjoy the water and catching their prey (usually fish and frogs).

Other work going on at Toyota Elephant Passage:

• The deep moats have been poured and crews are currently working on the shallow areas in each pool of Habitats A and E. Rock work crews continue to form outcroppings in Habitats A and F, including the west entrance to Toyota Elephant Passage. Final paint colors are being tested and soon all the rock work will be complete on Habitat F. Waterproof testing is being done on the pools in Habitat F.
• Underground utility installation continues on the east end of the site and similar work on the west end is nearly finished.

• See the latest construction update.