MELBOURNE, Australia — A herd of nine Asian elephants made a joyous reunion at the Werribee Open Range Zoo after a significant move from their previous home at Melbourne Zoo. This complex operation unfolded over five days, as the elephants were transported 40 kilometers (25 miles) to a new enclosure that is ten times the size of their former habitat.
The relocation, managed by Zoos Victoria, involved meticulous planning and preparation that began nearly two years prior. The elephants were trained to acclimate to the transport crates, which was crucial for ensuring their safety and comfort during the journey. Erin Gardner, the elephants' manager, reported that the animals exhibited visible signs of excitement and contentment upon their reunion, such as flapping their ears, touching trunks, and vocalizing their joy through trumpeting and squeaking.
The move occurred in three separate convoys, facilitated by police escorts and synchronized traffic lights for smooth transit. Each herd member weighed a combined total of 23 metric tons (25 U.S. tons) and was administered mild sedatives to ease stress during the approximately 40-minute journeys. To maintain stability on the road, adult elephants were tethered at their ankles, and the transport crates included air conditioning and were specifically designed to allow mothers and calves to travel together.
On February 6, the adult male elephant, the most solitary member of the herd, traveled alone in a crate hoisted by a crane. The subsequent days saw the rest of the herd transported in a carefully orchestrated sequence. Two days apart from each other caused significant separation anxiety, particularly among the females, as such separations are uncommon within tightly-knit elephant groups.
The elephants arrived at their new home on February 10, introduced to a sprawling 21-hectare (52-acre) enclosure featuring extensive amenities, including two swimming pools designed to be 3.5 meters (11 feet) deep. This new environment is substantially larger than the 2-hectare (5-acre) habitat they previously occupied at Melbourne Zoo, allowing ample space for the herd to thrive.
The enhanced facilities at Werribee Open Range Zoo represent an investment of 88 million Australian dollars ($55 million) and include amenities such as mud wallows, specially designed barns for the elephants, and a communal sleeping area equipped with an impressive 3,300 metric tons (3,600 U.S. tons) of sand.
The herd, consisting of one adult male, five adult females, and three calves, all of whom are around two years old, will have three weeks to acclimate to their new surroundings before the habitat is opened to the public. This careful approach aims to provide a stable transition for the elephants, ensuring their well-being and comfort in their expansive new home.
