Animal Facts
Scientific Name
Elephas maximus
Range
Bangladesh; Bhutan; Cambodia; China; India; Indonesia; Laos; Malaysia; Myanmar; Nepal; Sri Lanka; Thailand; Viet Nam
Location in the Zoo
McNair Asian Elephant Habitat
Cool Animal Fact
There are two elephant species; Asian And African. Look at the ears and tusks to tell them apart: Asian elephants have smaller ears, and while African male and female elephants both have tusks, Asian female elephants do not.
How We Help Save Them
- The Zoo provides equipment, training, salaries, and support for a Malaysian conservationist protecting elephants. Dr. Farina Othman is the Zoo’s Elephant Conservation Associate.
- The Zoo provides support for wild elephants to be fitted with satellite collars. This allows the Malaysian elephant conservation team to follow wild elephants and find solutions to challenges they face to protect this species.
- The Zoo provides support for Farina and the Malaysian elephant conservation team to collect Bornean elephant behavior observations to create plans to protect this species.
How You Can Help
Donate now to help save elephants in the wild.
Be a hero and visit the Houston Zoo! Your admission ticket and memberships are helping the Zoo plant trees to reforest habitat and help to protect elephants in Borneo.
Elephant Encounters at Houston Zoo
Behind-the-scenes Elephant Encounter
Get a first-row seat to see how keepers build relationships with our amazing elephants! You will have an opportunity to feed, hear stories about our herd, and touch one of these amazing creatures with a photo opportunity you can share with your friends and family.
During this experience you will:
- Go behind the scenes at our Elephant Barn
- Tour the barn to see how our keepers provide daily care for our animals
- Have an opportunity to meet one of our adult elephants up-close with a touching and/or feeding experience included
$400 Member/$450 Non-member (per person)
On Sale Through September 2026
Encounter Details:
- All day Zoo admission included for you to explore the Zoo before and after your Animal Encounter.
- This encounter is for all ages. If you have someone under the age of 13, an adult will need to be registered with them.
- This encounter is limited to eight people per encounter. If you have fewer than eight in your party, you may be joined by other registrants, not to exceed the eight persons total.
- For the safety and well-being of our animal residents, there is no flash photography allowed in this area. Don’t worry though, we have a special photo moment opportunity planned for you during your encounter that you can share with friends and family.
Accessibility:
- Walking and standing for 45 minutes
- Unpaved surfaces including loose dirt and gravel
- Wheelchair accessible
We are a Zoo for All; if you have an accommodation request, please contact us at education@houstonzoo.org or at 713-533-6739.
Elephant Bath Experience
Here’s your chance to experience what it’s like to bathe an elephant! Head behind the scenes to help scrub down one of our elephants with a photo opportunity you can share with your friends and family.
During this experience you will:
- Go behind the scenes at our Elephant Barn
- Have an opportunity to scrub down one of our adult elephants during their bath time
- Note: You may get wet during this experience. We recommend wearing close-toe shoes and clothing that you don’t mind getting damp
$400 Member/$450 Non-member (per person)
On Sale Through December 2026
Encounter Details:
- All day Zoo admission included for you to explore the Zoo before and after your Animal Encounter.
- This encounter is for all ages. If you have someone under the age of 13, an adult will need to be registered with them.
- This encounter is limited to just six people per encounter. If you have fewer than six in your party, you may be joined by other registrants, not to exceed the six persons total.
- For the safety and well-being of our animal residents, there is no flash photography allowed in this area. Don’t worry though, we have a special photo moment opportunity planned for you during your encounter that you can share with friends and family.
Accessibility:
- Walking and standing for 45 minutes
- Lifting large brushes
- May get wet
- Wheelchair accessible
We are a Zoo for All; if you have an accommodation request, please contact us at education@houstonzoo.org or at 713-533-6739.
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