Visitors to Twycross Zoo can take an extra chance to say goodbye to its two remaining much-loved Asian elephants this summer.
The gentle beasts are not ready to pack their trunks and take the taxing journey to their new seaside home in Blackpool Zoo.
As a result, they cannot follow the first two female elephants, Tara and Minbu, who already completed the journey in February.
The remaining duo, mum, Noorjahan, and her daughter, Esha, won’t be packing their trunks until the end of August, it is thought.
Twycross Zoo’s CEO, Dr Sharon Redrobe OBE, said: “We’re delighted to be keeping our two remaining ladies for the summer, which will provide people with plenty of opportunities to see them one last time at Twycross before they set off for their new seaside home.
“We’re pleased to say that Tara and Minbu have settled well into their new home with Blackpool’s resident elephant, Katie, and that all four of our ladies have been given the chance to be part of Project Elephant and Blackpool Zoo’s endangered animals breeding programme.
“Noorjahan and Esha have grown closer since Tara’s and Minbu’s departure, and it has really solidified their mother and daughter bond.
“Ultimately, Noorjahan and Esha will only move when they are ready to do so, which means we have the pleasure of enjoying their wonderful company for a little while yet.
“When they do move, and are reunited once again with Tara and Minbu, we know they are going to be very well looked after at their new home.”
Asian elephants are one of the largest land mammals on the planet but the species is currently threatened by habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation leading to them being listed as Endangered on the IUCN*Red List.
As a result, Asian elephant populations have declined by at least 50% in the last three generations. With the move of Tara and her companions to Blackpool Zoo, Twycross Zoo experts hope to make this celebrated species thrive again.
Twycross Zoo is open to the public from 10am to 6pm, 364 days a year.
For more information and to book tickets visit www.twycrosszoo.org or call 0844 474 1777.
We've launched our very own app for Android and Apple devices which can be tailored to deliver the news and sport that you're interested in.
To download the IOS app click here.
To download the Android app click here.
