Golden shovels were on hand, but the Oregon Zoo broke ground elephant-style: with a 30-ton excavator.

Construction of the 6.25-acre Elephant Lands habitat — the most ambitious project in Oregon Zoo history — officially kicked off with massive displacement of earth, making way for the Asian elephant herd’s new home and a new era of animal welfare.

“We’ve designed a world-class home that honors this amazing species,” said Kim Smith, zoo director. “Elephant Lands is all about elephants having choices and activity. We think it’s going to be a game-changer for elephants worldwide and help raise the bar for animal welfare.”

Five years in the making, the $53 million habitat — part of the community-supported zoo bond measure — will extend around the eastern edge of the zoo, from south of the current elephant habitat north into the area that formerly housed Elk Meadow.

“We started in 2008 by surveying the best elephant habitats in the world,” said Mike Keele, the zoo’s director of elephant habitats and one of the foremost Asian elephant experts in the country. “We took the best elements from each of those, and then we added our own half-century of elephant experience to give Packy, Lily and the rest of the herd everything they need to thrive.”

For Keele, who will retire later this month after 42 years at the zoo, the groundbreaking is especially meaningful: “To know how far we have come — how much we’ve learned over the years about elephants and their complex needs — and now to be able to pour all that knowledge into this project that will make their lives that much better… This moment feels historical to me, yet it’s consistent with the zoo’s commitment over the last five decades.”

With rolling meadows, 4-foot-deep sand flooring and one of the world’s largest indoor elephant facilities, the new habitat will also offer unique views of the zoo’s herd. Within Forest Hall, visitors on elevated walkways will view elephants within a vast airy arena lit by filtered sunlight with a backdrop of native fir forest.

“The habitat will encourage elephants to be active throughout the day,” Smith said. “They’ll have the freedom to choose when and what they want to do, and who they want to spend time with. These elephants are cherished in our community, and our goal was to create a meaningful experience for visitors to connect with them. We want people to be inspired by Elephant Lands to take action for wildlife.”

To learn more about Elephant Lands, visit oregonzoo.org/ElephantLands.

At the groundbreaking event, the Oregon Zoo Foundation announced the public launch of its $3 million Campaign for Elephants, which will fund education and conservation activities at Elephant Lands. The foundation has already raised $2 million through the silent portion of its campaign, including a recent challenge grant of $150,000 from the Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund, which will match all Elephant Lands donations up to $10,000 per donor. To learn more or to make a gift, call 503-220-5707 or visit oregonzoo.org/givetoelephants.

The Oregon Zoo is recognized worldwide for its Asian elephant program, which has spanned more than 50 years. Considered highly endangered in their range countries, Asian elephants are threatened by habitat loss, conflict with humans and disease. It is estimated that fewer than 40,000 elephants remain in fragmented populations from India to Borneo.

Tim Lewthwaite