The completion of the African Elephant Crossings exhibit at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a major accomplishment. The area is the first major reinvestment at the zoo since the Rainforest project in 1992. The elephant project has been my personal favorite and most important endeavor that the zoo could undertake.

Yes, elephants have always been my favorite animal, but in addition, the exhibit and aging building needed some new energy. As we traveled the country going to other zoos, we constantly were reminded of the eyesore that was the old elephant exhibit. The Cleveland Zoo was falling behind relative to what other zoos across the country were accomplishing. The new elephant area will not only be gorgeous and aesthetically pleasing, but will help guide and improve the elephant program, increase education, and hopefully be a good stepping stone to launch new projects throughout the zoo.

Want to see the return of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo elephants to their new home without all the crowds? If you are a zoo member, you can now register for the free private events going on this summer. If you are not a member, I strongly encourage you to join, not only because you have access to the zoo year round, but the reciprocal access to zoos across the country is priceless. We more than pay for our membership every year by visiting other zoos when we travel.

Go here, and after signing into your account, you will be allowed to register for the various ElephanTuesday events.

Tour registration for April, May and June tours will begin on March 8, 2011at 8:30AM.

Tour registration for July, August and September tours will begin on May 31, 2011 at 8:30AM.

Tour registration for October and November tours will begin on August 30, 2011 at 8:30AM.

I was worried at first because you are only allowed to register two people to the event of your choosing. We have two little ones, under the age of two, who are currently free to the zoo, so I was not sure how this event would work. I called the zoo and confirmed that both of our kids will be able to attend the event with us. This will work out perfect because the event we registered for will be warmer weather, and our newborn will be 8 weeks, old enough to take out in public.