New exhibit celebrates elephant conservation, African ecosystems, and community partnership
San Diego, CA – August 12, 2025 — In honor of World Elephant Day, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has revealed that its most ambitious initiative to date—Denny Sanford Elephant Valley—will officially launch in early 2026. Currently 80% finished, this immersive experience represents the largest project in the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s 109-year history, designed to enhance public awareness of elephants, their ecosystems, and the communities that share their habitat.
“This is a first-of-its-kind habitat where elephants and people come together in meaningful, powerful new ways,” said Shawn Dixon, interim president and CEO of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “Elephant Valley’s innovative design supports the well-being of our elephants while also inspiring empathy and action from every guest who walks through.”
Walking Beside Giants
Elephant Valley will provide a completely immersive experience for guests, allowing them to be surrounded by elephants on all sides as they navigate the expansive, African savanna-inspired environment. Crafted to reflect the seasonal and ecological patterns of Kenya, this habitat seeks to cultivate empathy for elephants as vital ecosystem engineers.
Over 350 individual plants, including vulnerable and endangered African species, have been meticulously cultivated to authentically represent the region’s ecosystem. Unique trees such as the kokerboom, Nubian dragon tree, and Mulanje cycad—some of which were rescued from illegal trafficking—will line the pathways for visitors. Additional highlights include African thorn trees, which serve as a food source for elephants, further enhancing the habitat’s authenticity.
At the heart of Elephant Valley will be Mkutano House, a two-story dining venue located next to one of the exhibit’s two 240,000-gallon watering holes, where visitors can observe elephants wading and interacting. The term “Mkutano” is derived from the Swahili word for ‘gathering’, symbolizing the Park’s commitment to collective learning and cultural festivities. The adjacent Mkutano Park will provide ongoing educational programs focused on the region’s biodiversity and initiatives for elephant conservation.
Conservation in Action
Elephant Valley will also act as a link between local conservation efforts in San Diego and active field initiatives in Africa, especially in Kenya. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance collaborates with important organizations such as Save the Elephants, The Nature Conservancy, Northern Rangelands Trust, Kenya Wildlife Service, and Reteti Elephant Sanctuary to safeguard African savanna elephants, which are currently classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
“Our field research and collaboration with our Safari Park elephant herd are helping to develop new tools and strategies to monitor and protect wild elephants,” the Alliance noted. These efforts are focused on mitigating key threats such as habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.
A Gift from the Community
Elephant Valley came to fruition thanks to the generosity of more than 4,100 donors, featuring a notable lead contribution from philanthropist Denny Sanford, in whose honor the habitat is named.
In addition to its physical presence, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance impacts over 1 billion individuals annually through its parks, educational initiatives, and global media platforms—encouraging conservation efforts that extend well beyond California.
Visitors can expect to step into Elephant Valley in early 2026. For more information or to track the project’s progress, please visit: sdzsafaripark.org/elephantvalley.
