Asian elephants from Whipsnade zoo moved to Cheshire
The elephants were transported in custom-built travel crates, weighing 10 tonnes each, specially designed to keep them comfortable for the duration of their road trip.This included being fitted with air conditioning and CCTV cameras for drivers to check on them during the four-hour journey.The two lorries, driven by animal transportation experts, travelled in convoy down the motorway with two of the keepers from Whipsnade Zoo.Beth and Karishma received a health check from the zoo's vet team to confirm they were fit and healthy for the move.
Mr Groeneveld said the "wild population of Asian elephants is dwindling due to habitat loss, degradation, and poaching for their ivory tusks", and conservation breeding programmes were vital. He added: "It was a bittersweet day for all of the elephant keepers here when we said farewell to two of our elephants, Beth and Karishma."Karishma arrived at Whipsnade Zoo just over 20 years ago, and she and her daughter Beth, named after HM Queen Elizabeth II, have been much-loved members of our herd."He said that their remaining herd of five elephants, including male Ming Jung, females Kaylee, Lucha, and Donna, and calf Nang Phaya, would continue to contribute to the breeding programme at Whipsnade Zoo.
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