Oregon Zoo Bond Oversight Board Says Promises Kept

Eight years after voters approved a $125 million bond measure for the Oregon Zoo, the citizens committee responsible for overseeing the implementation of the measure says the zoo is doing a good job.

"The committee commends the zoo for completing all projects to date within the approved budget and schedule," Committee Chair Bill Kabeisman and Vice-Chair Ruth Shelly wrote in their annual report.

The report singled out completion of the recently-opened Elephant Lands habitat, the new veterinary center, and the Condors of the Columbia exhibit.

There were some setbacks.

The often-discussed off-site elephant habit was officially abandoned this past January.

While it was never explicitly promised as part of the bond measure, many had thought it would be built.

Officials said that after more research, it was determined the project would have been too expensive.

The completion of the $57 million expansion and renovation of the Elephant Lands exhibit at the Zoo also made the remote location redundant, officials said.

More projects - such as a new conservation education center - are underway.