The Opening Day crowd was growing behind a rope line. With about a half hour to go, visitors eager to see the Safari Park’s new Elephant Valley habitat lined up Thursday to wait for officials to open the space that had been under construction for more than three years.
The habitat, the largest project in the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s 109-year history, is home to the park’s herd of eight African savanna elephants. It not only doubles the amount of usable space for the animals compared to the old exhibit, but also provides visitors with close-up viewing from pathways and a bridge between two distinct habitat areas.
“We’ve been patiently waiting,” said Amber McKinney, who lined up with her husband, Chris Guzman, and 7-year-old son, Donovan, shortly after arriving around 10 a.m. The habitat was opened shortly before noon.
McKinney has had a zoo membership since 2012 and had seen previews of the elephant habitat on Instagram but was excited to see the space with her own eyes.
She — and others — weren’t disappointed.
An elephant chews on a branch at Elephant Valley Thursday. (Charlie Neuman / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The project, built with a lead gift from philanthropist Denny Sanford and the help of more than 5,200 other donors, includes two pools that elephants can splash in, a two-story restaurant called Mkutano House and an expansive grassy area called Mkutano Park. Park officials have not revealed its price tag.
Elected officials gathered earlier Thursday to praise the habitat’s opening, with San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria noting the zoo’s stellar reputation and the economic boost the zoo and Safari Park provide the city. Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, whose district includes the San Pasqual Valley area, recalled her Peace Corps volunteer days in Botswana and how she threw a pile of elephant dung at her visiting brothers so they’d never forget the trip.
Rolf Benirschke, chair of the alliance’s Board of Trustees, said he was “blown away” by the habitat and hoped visitors leave “transformed” to deeply care about endangered wildlife and the need for conservation.
Tanzanian dancers perform with park visitors. (Charlie Neuman / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Benirschke, a former Chargers kicker and son of renowned scientist Kurt Benirschke, who started the Frozen Zoo five decades ago, recalled how his own perspective changed after he briefly lived in South Africa and learned about white rhinos as a teen. “I got transformed by that experience — it is in my soul,” he said.
Elephant Valley was designed with nods to Kenyan culture, including touches of colorful beadwork and talking sticks serving as location markers, where volunteers meet visitors to talk about the endangered animals.
Zoo officials said the habitat will shine a spotlight on San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s global conservation partners and celebrate cultures and local communities in Kenya, where people and elephants coexist.
A long line forms to enter Elephant Valley at its noon opening. At front are Oceanside residents Amber McKinney and her husband, Chris Guzman, with son, Donovan, 7. (Charlie Neuman / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
McKinney had hoped to see the elephants playing in one of the two water holes but had to settle for seeing a mud-covered pachyderm that had rolled in a bog walk toward her. She had wanted to visit the new restaurant but hadn’t made reservations, so she said they’d try next visit.
Some visitors said seeing the habitat on its first day was a way to witness history.
Sheila Fritts said she was at the Wild Animal Park, as the Safari Park used to be known, when it opened back in 1972. She said her dad had worked on building the attraction, and two of her sons had worked at the park in the past.
The Escondido resident visits the Safari Park about once a week and on Thursday purchased a small plush elephant to mark the day. “I am so excited about this. This is history,” she said. “Just to be (one of) the first ones going through.”
Elephants wander their enclosure Thursday. (Charlie Neuman / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Chris Guzman hopes his son remembers being at Opening Day. The Oceanside family visits the Safari Park or the San Diego Zoo weekly, rotating between the two parks. Donovan, who is home-schooled, has been going since he was in a stroller.
Visitors marveled at how close they were to the elephants, watching as they ate hay from the tops of tall feeders just a few feet away.
“Wow, we are way closer to them,” McKinney said at one point. “They are so happy.”
Said Donovan: “I think they’re smiling.”
Fritts was delighted with the not-too-hot weather and marveled at seeing the animals in such a peaceful setting.
“This is amazing,” she said. “I didn’t even imagine it could be so great.”