Skip to content
  • Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is now open visit FutureForWildlife.org/reopen for details.
  • For Outdoor Education programs, visit clevelandmetroparks.com/knowbeforeyougo - Nature Centers remain closed.
  • For updated closures visit clevelandmetroparks.com/COVID-19.
  • About
  • Submit a tip
  • Contact the Police: 440.331.5530
  • Emergency: 440.333.4911
  • Users with low vision can activate this option to help them read text.
  • Users prone to seizures can deactivate this option to ensure that the site does not cause any blinking animations.
  • Allow content to change automatically
  • Accessibility Information
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
  • Parks
  • Zoo
  • Golf
  • Dining
View All Results

    Zoo Announces Fifth Elephant for African Elephant Crossing

    News & Press | February 2011

    Zoo Announces Fifth Elephant for African Elephant Crossing

    Posted: February 22, 2011
    Share Post
    Archive
      No data found

    Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is making plans for the arrival of a 7,900 pound female African elephant from Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo. Shenga, estimated to be 28 years old, will move to Cleveland sometime this spring depending on the weather.


    Shenga will join the Zoo's current herd: Jo, Moshi and Martika. Willy, a 32-year-old, 13,000-pound male elephant from Disney's Animal Kingdom, is expected to arrive in Cleveland after Shenga and prior to the May 5 opening of the Zoo's new African Elephant Crossing.


    African Elephant Crossing contributed greatly to the decision to relocate Shenga to Cleveland. Dan Cassidy, general curator at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, recently visited Cleveland to see the new exhibit, meet the elephant care staff and review elephant management.


    Cassidy stated that the new exhibit is a "state-of-the-art facility which gives the elephants opportunity to interact with each other and exhibit natural behaviors such as swimming, mud bathing and digging. The animals are in a large natural exhibit with experienced, caring staff."


    Currently, Shenga is the only elephant in Omaha, following the October 2010 death of her exhibit mate. Elephants are highly social animals and animal care staffs at both zoos expect Shenga to acclimate well and enjoy the companionship of her new mates.


    Senior members of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Zoological Programs staff traveled to Omaha earlier this year to meet Shenga and observe her behaviors and training.

    "Shenga is a smart, social elephant and her move to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a win-win situation," said Steve Taylor, Zoo Director. "It enhances the dynamics of our current herd and provides her with a world-class exhibit and the opportunity to interact with multiple elephants."


    Spread over five acres, African Elephant Crossing will combine best practices in elephant management, naturalistic environments and public education. It will feature two large yards for roaming, ponds for swimming, expanded sleeping quarters and a heated outdoor range. African Elephant Crossing also will house meerkats, naked mole rats, African rock pythons and a spectacular collection of colorful birds.


    Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. From November through March, regular admission is reduced to $7 per person ages 12 and older, $5 for kids ages 2 to 11 and free for children under 2 and Zoo members. Parking is free. Located at 3900 Wildlife Way, the Zoo is easily accessible from Interstates 71, 77, 90 and 480.



    PREV POST Go Green for St. Patrick's Day at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
    NEXT POST Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Welcomes New Curator Andi Kornak
    Stay Up To Date
    • 4101 Fulton Parkway, Cleveland OH 44144
    • 216.635.3200
    • generalinfo@clevelandmetroparks.com
    • Police:
    • Submit a tip
    • 440.331.5530
    • Emergency: 440.333.4911
    • Text Emergencies to 911 (Cuyahoga County)
    • Parks
      • Visit
      • Calendar
      • Education
      • Recreation
      • Shop
      • Support
    • Golf
      • Courses
      • Lessons & Events
      • Pricing
      • About
      • Book A Tee Time
    • Zoo
      • Tickets & Attractions
      • Programs & Events
      • Wildlife Conservation
      • Education
      • Animals
      • Buy Tickets
    • About
      • Cleveland Metroparks Organization
      • Education
      • Recreation
      • Conservation
      • Employment
      • Contact Us
    • Programs & Events
    • News & Press
    • Board Meetings
    • Privacy Policy
    Home
    © 2021 Cleveland Metroparks. All Rights Reserved.