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First flock Asian elephants who were retired from The Ringling brothers and the Barnum and Bailey circus arrived safely at their new home in Conservation of white oak in Florida. The Endangered Species Shelter is funded by philanthropists Mark and Kimbra Walter, who also own Los angeles dodgers baseball team.
Twelve female elephants, beginning with eight to 38 years, they will be joined before twenty former circus elephants as soon as additional areas are completed in the nature conservation center.
“We’re thrilled to give these elephants a place to roam and explore,” Mark and Kimbra Walter said in an interview. statement. “We are working to protect wildlife in their natural habitat, but for these elephants that cannot be released into the wild, we are delighted to provide them with a place where they can comfortably live the rest of their lives.”
The elephants were moved 200 miles in pairs on special trucks to reach White Oak Conservation. Throughout the journey, the elephants were accompanied by veterinarians and animal care specialists.
Upon arrival, they were released into two large paddocks so that they could adapt to their environment, next to a specially designed climate-controlled shed where veterinarians and specialists monitored their health and well-being. Now the elephants have emerged from their enclosures into pine forests with ponds, wetlands and open meadows.
The area now inhabited by elephants has a variety of habitats and food for them. They can choose to stay close to the barn and the people caring for them, or wander through the forest, wallow in the mud, or swim in their pond.
White Oak Conservation’s philosophy is to take into account the natural behavior and social bonds of animals as much as possible so that family groups can be together.
This group of elephants has been socialized together over the past few months and includes two pairs of full sisters and many half sisters. Nick Newby, who leads the White Oak expert group, has been hired to care for elephants and has been getting to know individual elephants and their habits over the past few years.
“Watching the elephants go into their habitat was an incredible moment,” Newby said. “I was so happy to see them go out together, comfort and comfort each other like wild elephants do, and then set off to explore a new habitat. It was amazing to see the elephants swim for the first time. “
“Elephants are such amazing creatures, and we’re thrilled to provide them with a place to thrive,” said Michelle Gadd, who oversees the Walters’ conservation efforts. “It was interesting to watch the elephants take their first steps in this beautiful natural space. We are happy to see how they adapt to nature, try new plants, explore new areas, experience new experiences. “
Asian elephants in the wild are endangered. Only 30,000 to 50,000 elephants stay in the wild for less than fifteen% their historical range. Where they survive, they are threatened by habitat degradation and fragmentation, conflict with humans and poaching.
“Everything has changed for the better for these elephants over the past few years – from their retirement, to how they interact with humans, and the space in which they have to roam,” said Steve Sherter, CEO of White Oak. “For the first time in their lives, these elephants can choose where and how they want to spend their days.”
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The message “Ringling’s Elephants Retired”, “Barnum and Bailey” arrived at their new home in White Oak Conservation in Florida first appeared in World Animal News.
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