Milwaukee County Zoo, African Elephant Exhibit

Raising the Quality of Care for Elephants

Updates to the AZA standards means some zoos are electing to not house elephants any more. That shift makes the Elephant Exhibit at the Milwaukee County Zoo that much more important to the community and surrounding areas. HGA endeavored to make this space a true home for its elephants, and a spectacular and educational attraction for the community and the region.

The Milwaukee County Zoo decided to relocate its elephant exhibit to a five-acre area, which used to house the moose, brown bear, and wolf exhibit yards.

HGA designed the exhibit to include a watering hole, a 24,620-SF elephant barn/visitor center and to have enough space for four to five elephants. In conjunction with PJA Architects, HGA helped the Milwaukee County Zoo raise the quality of care for the elephants to exceed AZA standards; enhance and continue to be recognized for wildlife and conservation efforts; and create a fun, educational destination for families and communities in the Midwest.

To accomplish this, HGA and PJA used state-of-the art technologies, like virtual reality, throughout the
design process, so that all stakeholders and key team members can make the best decisions for the project.