Elephant Odyssey Now Open at the San Diego Zoo

So, the ad campaign for the San Diego Zoo's new exhibit, Elephant Odyssey, somewhat cryptically says, "After 12,000 years, they're finally back." What? You say. We've always had elephants at the Zoo. Well, I guess the concept is that in prehistoric times, ancestors of the elephant - mammoths - roamed California and the new exhibit pays homage to our trunked friends by connecting the dots from past to present.

Now, whether that high concept resonates with Zoo visitors is debatable, but what is very clear is that the Harry and Grace Steele Elephant Odyssey (as it's officially named) is a vast improvement over the old elephant digs. The $44 million, seven-acre habitat features Asian and African elephants, a California condor, sloths, snakes and rodents, as well as life-sized replicas of animal species that dotted the Southern California landscape more than 10,000 years ago. A herd of elephants roam a 2.5-acre exhibit that includes a 120,000-gallon pool, gentle rolling hills and the Conrad Prebys Elephant Management Facility, where visitors can see keepers and veterinarians at work with the animals, as well as tour the facility for educational and interactive experiences.

The educational aspect is a key feature of Elephant Odyssey and is the thread that ties - or at least tries to tie - together the whole "12,000 years" concept. Taking its cue from L.A's La Brea Tarpits, the exhibit also includes a tar pit replication, fossil dig, children’s play area and much more.

For more information about the San Diego Zoo's Elephant Odyssey, go to the official website.

Read my profile of the San Diego Zoo right here.