The state Department of Environmental Conservation on Friday gave the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse an amended Endangered/Threatened Species license, allowing visitors to once again touch the elephants, according to a news release from the zoo.

Earlier this year, the DEC had ruled that visitors could no longer have direct contact with elephants, a standard practice at Syracuse and other zoos.

“We're very happy our guests will be able to interact with the elephants this weekend at Asian Elephant Extravaganza,” zoo director Chuck Doyle said in a news release. “We'll enjoy the celebration and then continue negotiating the conditions of our license with the DEC.”

The zoo on Saturday will be hosting Asian Elephant Extravaganza from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. featuring elephant demonstrations, cultural performances, games and puppet shows.

The annual event celebrates Asian culture and honors the zoo's Asian elephant herd, which includes Indy, Siri, Romani and Kirina.