Portland, Oct. 15--Elephants at the Oregon Zoo have a new bounce in their step, thanks to nearly 51-thousand dollars in federal grants.
The new rubber flooring was installed with a Conservation Project Support grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Officials say the rubber floor will prevent sometimes-fatal foot diseases and injuries.
And, they say, the elephants already prefer the rubber over the old concrete floor -- playing, exercising and sleeping on the softer surface.
Zoo keepers will monitor how the elephants react to the new flooring. They'll review footage from closed circuit cameras.
The grant also funds updates to an existing education display, and adds part-time interpretive staff in the elephant viewing room.
