Elephant Enclosure

Overview

The Elephant Enclosure, known as 'Tembea', is a remarkable habitat situated within the renowned Basel Zoo in Basel, Switzerland. Opened in March 2017, this expansive facility was designed with the latest insights into elephant welfare and natural behavior in mind. Covering an impressive area of approximately 5,000 square meters, it more than doubles the space available in the zoo's previous elephant house from the 1950s. The name 'Tembea' itself is significant, meaning 'movement' in Swahili, perfectly encapsulating the core philosophy behind its design.

Visitors to Basel Zoo can explore the Tembea enclosure, which features a natural savannah-like landscape. It includes diverse outdoor areas with varied ground surfaces, rocks, patches of trees, deadwood, and wallowing pools. The design also incorporates automatic feed dispensers, encouraging the elephants to move and forage naturally throughout their habitat. Beyond the African elephants, the enclosure is also home to a variety of smaller species, such as African clawed frogs, brown rats, and harvester ants, adding to the biodiversity within this carefully constructed ecosystem.

History & Cultural Background

Basel Zoo has a long and storied history with elephants, dating back to the arrival of its first elephant in 1886. The zoo’s original elephant house was established in the 1950s. For decades, the interaction between keepers and elephants included direct contact, and famously, elephant keeper Werner Behrens even performed dressage shows with the elephants, entertaining crowds in a specially built arena from 1962 onwards.

However, modern zoo practices evolved significantly, leading to a major paradigm shift in elephant care at Basel Zoo. The decision to construct the new Tembea enclosure marked a commitment to advanced animal welfare. Construction began in November 2013 and concluded in March 2017, representing a substantial investment in creating a state-of-the-art facility. This transition also brought about the implementation of 'protected contact' husbandry, a contemporary approach where a barrier always separates humans and animals, promoting the elephants' natural social structures and minimizing stress from direct human intervention.

What Makes It Special

The Tembea enclosure stands out due to its innovative design focused on promoting natural elephant behavior. The facility's sheer size, approximately 5,000 square meters, provides ample room for the animals to roam, explore, and engage in social interactions. The inclusion of diverse terrain, from sandy areas to mud wallows, allows elephants to indulge in essential activities like bathing and dust-rolling, which are vital for their skin and overall health.

A key feature is the extensive network of over 100 feeding stations, strategically placed to encourage continuous movement and natural foraging patterns, mirroring how elephants search for food in the wild. The enclosure can be divided into multiple compartments with changeable links, creating daily 'walking routes' that offer novel exploration opportunities and prevent boredom. This dynamic environment supports the elephants' physical and mental well-being, fostering a more natural and enriching daily life.

Stories, Fun Facts & Local Details

The name 'Tembea' itself, meaning 'movement' in Swahili, reflects the enclosure's dedication to stimulating the elephants' natural activity and exploration. Historically, Basel Zoo celebrated a significant milestone in 1966 with the birth of Ota, the first African elephant born in a zoo. The zoo has a long-standing commitment to elephant welfare, evident in its early adoption of protected contact and positive reinforcement training.

This training allows zookeepers to perform routine health checks and medical procedures, such as trunk rinsing or foot care, through a protective barrier. Elephants like Jack and Heri were actively involved in these daily training sessions, learning to cooperate voluntarily for their own care. For example, Jack, an elephant bull, learned to present his mouth for dental cleaning after a tusk injury, and Heri practiced offering her ear for blood samples, demonstrating the deep trust and positive relationship built between the elephants and their caregivers through these modern techniques. These practices ensure animal cooperation without direct physical coercion.

Visitor Perspective

The Tembea enclosure offers visitors an unparalleled opportunity to observe African elephants in a setting that closely resembles their natural habitat. Large viewing areas provide clear sightlines into the open enclosures and the natural savannah landscape, allowing guests to witness the elephants' behaviors, from playful interactions to dust bathing and foraging. The design promotes a sense of immersion, giving visitors the feeling of being on a safari.

The elephant house is also designed to allow visitors to watch training sessions, which occur daily and are based on positive reinforcement. While there are no fixed times, these sessions offer a fascinating glimpse into the advanced care and communication methods used at Basel Zoo. This transparent approach to animal husbandry educates the public about conservation efforts and the intricate needs of these magnificent creatures. It is important to note that, as of early 2026, the last elephants at Basel Zoo have been relocated, signifying a new phase for the Tembea enclosure and the zoo's commitment to biodiversity.