Cincinnati Zoo’s Elephants Enjoy a New Home, Courtesy of Redi-Rock

Discover how the Cincinnati Zoo used durable, naturalistic Redi-Rock hybrid retaining walls to create a safe, immersive habitat for its Asian elephant trek.

Redi-Rock has been trusted by thousands of engineers across the globe to support vital infrastructure, maximize usable space, and control water. After the completion of an exciting project at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, add “contain elephants” to that list

Seven Redi-Rock hybrid gravity retaining walls were installed as part of an ambitious new elephant habitat project. The system was selected to meet several challenges:

Maximize the Habitat Space. The available space for habitat and visitor viewing was initially limited, so the Zoo needed a strong solution to convert uneven terrain into viable space.
Playful Pachyderm Protection. Elephants are curious by nature and tend to test their boundaries, so the walls needed to withstand any interactions.
Create a Beautiful Background. The zoo's top priority is crafting a space that is harmonious with the animals’ natural habitats.

Designers Leverage the Versatility of Redi-Rock

Nearly 12,500 sq ft (1161.2 sq m) of wall featuring five different Redi-Rock block types was used to shape the Zoo’s Elephant Trek exhibit. Engineers battled poor soil conditions, proximal trees, and nearby property lines to create and execute a design that delivered everything the Zoo was looking for… and more.

Not only did the project’s outcome exceed expectations, but zoo officials were also delighted with the design and installation process.

"Working with local businesses is important to us, so we needed to meet the local Redi-Rock manufacturer in person and see their operations,” explained the Zoo’s VP of Facilities and Sustainability, Mark Fisher. “They were super responsive, we had zero issues with lead times, and had direct access to staff members when needed, which we greatly appreciated."

From steep slopes to curious tusks, the Elephant Trek project at the Cincinnati Zoo proved that Redi-Rock can handle just about anything – even a few tons of playful pachyderms. This habitat wasn’t just built strong – it was built bright, beautiful, and ready for anything.

Want to see how engineers tackled a mammoth challenge and delivered big results with Redi-Rock? View the case study and get the full scoop.