Packing Their Trunks and Moving to New Digs
Elephants on the move!
Five police motorcycles, lights flashing, pulled into the San Diego Zoo Saturday afternoon. It was a police escort fit for dignitaries. But in this case, the escort was for four Asian elephants being transported in giant crates from the San Diego Wild Animal Park to the San Diego Zoo.
The elephants will be moving in the zoo's new 7.5 acre, $45 million habitat known as Elephant Odyssey.
"There have been several months of preparation and training of the elephants," said Rick Schwartz, the Elephant Odyssey Ambassador. "They walked right into their crates, enjoyed a nice little snack while getting into the trucks.
The big move went smoothly. The exhibit will open to the public on May 23rd. Until then, the elephants will be getting acquainted with their new digs.
Ranchipur, who weights 12,500 pounds, was the largest of the elephants moved to the zoo. The four Asian elephants will be joining three other elephants already making their home at the zoo.
