FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE(August 20, 2008)
JENNY TO REMAIN IN DALLAS
Plans for new elephant habitat expedited.

DALLAS – There’s no place like home. Following a thorough review of new home options for Jenny the elephant, city officials have decided that the best option is for her to remain at the Dallas Zoo. Plans for a new elephant habitat have been expedited and officials are finalizing details to welcome a new African elephant to serve as Jenny’s companion.

“We believe we have found a solution that benefits Jenny as well as the Dallas community,” said Gregg Hudson, executive director of the Dallas Zoo and The Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park. “This plan serves Jenny’s best interests and continues to provide children and adults in Dallas with the opportunity to experience the majesty of elephants.”

The City of Dallas and the Dallas Zoological Society will accelerate construction on a new African Savanna, which was already in the planning stages since early 2006. Phase I of the new African Savanna expansion will be expedited to accommodate an approximate four-acre elephant habitat in the immediate future. The new elephant habitat will be at least fifteen times larger than the Dallas Zoo’s current elephant exhibit. In addition, several potential elephant companions are being identified for the future habitat.

Ten million dollars from the 2006 bond funding has been earmarked for the project. The Zoo’s completed African Savanna project will be home to elephants, giraffe, lions, warthogs, and other exciting African animals. The estimated $40 million project was originally slated to be completed by late 2011. Phase I is estimated to be finished within 15 to 18 months.

“The 2006 bond funding, combined with the support of the Dallas Zoological Society is enabling us to create a new home for Jenny in half the time that was originally forecasted,” said Paul Dyer, director of Dallas City Parks and Recreation.

AZA-accredited Africam Safari in Puebla, Mexico was the original choice for Jenny’s new home. “We support the decision to keep Jenny at the Dallas Zoo,” said Amy Camacho, director of Africam Safari. “We know Africam would have provided excellent care for Jenny and conservation knows no boundaries. We look forward to future partnerships with the Dallas Zoo.”

Over the past few weeks, Zoo officials had new options unfold for Jenny’s future. Meanwhile, internal and outside experts monitored and evaluated Jenny’s condition. They determined she has adjusted well to Keke’s passing, and is in good spirits. They also concluded that unless absolutely necessary to move her, it would be better for the 32-year-old Jenny to remain with familiar caretakers in an environment that has long been her home. The Zoo, with the assistance of the Dallas Zoological Society, pursued the options of securing a companion elephant and accelerating the development of the African Savanna.

“Jenny has been part of our family for over 22 years,” said Hudson. “We are very excited to have this opportunity to create a new home while we continue providing excellent care for Jenny at the Dallas Zoo.”

• In 1922, one of the first elephants acquired by the Dallas Zoo was an Asian elephant named “Wilbur.” He was purchased with pennies, nickels, and dimes that were donated from the schoolchildren of Dallas.
• Jenny was donated to the Dallas Zoo in 1986 from a private owner. She was approximately 10 years of age.
• The Dallas Zoo employs three full-time veterinarians, a full-time nutritionist, and the resources of a premier animal health facility.
• African elephants are the largest land mammals in the world.
• Jenny weighs approximately 10,500 pounds.

The Dallas Zoo is the largest zoological experience in Texas, with a 95-acre park, animals, and an education department that offers fascinating, fun programs for all ages. It is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. For more information visit www.DallasZoo.com or call (214) 670-5656.