The zoo operates the largest elephant breeding program in North America.
The facility features the 'Great Northwest' exhibit, which replicates local environments like coastal tide pools and forest streams.
It was founded in 1888, making it the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi River.
The zoo serves as a rehabilitation site for injured or orphaned local wildlife, such as California condors.
The Elephant Lands exhibit spans six acres and is designed to mimic the natural movement patterns of elephant herds.
The zoo participates in the Species Survival Plan, a cooperative program to prevent the extinction of endangered species.
The Oregon Zoo is a 64-acre facility located within Washington Park, recognized for its focus on endangered species conservation and breeding programs. It is home to the largest herd of Asian elephants in any North American zoo, including the iconic Packy, who was the first elephant born in a U.S. zoo in 1962. The zoo features diverse regional habitats, such as the Great Northwest exhibit, which showcases animals native to the Pacific Northwest. Other major zones include the Primate Forest, Elephant Lands, and the Predators of the Serengeti. The facility serves as a center for veterinary research and wildlife rehabilitation. Educational programs emphasize human impacts on global ecosystems. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The viewing area of the Elephant Lands exhibit provides wide, unobstructed sightlines of the herd.
Wear comfortable, broken-in walking shoes, as the zoo is built on hilly terrain.
Check the zoo's online 'daily schedule' for animal feedings and enrichment demonstrations before you arrive.
Bring a refillable water bottle to use at the multiple hydration stations located throughout the park.
Do not attempt to walk from the city center; the zoo is situated on a significant hill inside a park, making it a strenuous trek.
The zoo is closed annually on December 25th.
Maintain a respectful distance from enclosures, refrain from feeding the animals, and keep voices low near sensitive exhibits.
