Elephant House of Animal Park Hellabrunn Welcomes New Inhabitants: Rani and Savani
Two Asian Elephants Settle into Munich's Hellabrunn Zoo
Two Asian elephants, Rani, a 15-year-old elephant cow, and her two-year-old daughter Savani, safely arrived at Hellabrunn Zoo in Munich on Tuesday. The transport, which involved a low loader and a crane, marked a significant event for the zoo's staff.
"We are delighted to welcome Rani and Savani to Hellabrunn," said Tierpark director Rasem Baban. "The arrival of these elephants is always a special occasion, and we are eager to watch their integration with our existing elephant group."
The duo came from Leipzig Zoo as part of a recommendation by the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP). After settling into their new home, they were allowed to explore freely under the watchful eyes of familiar animal keepers from Leipzig, who will stay at Hellabrunn during the initial adaptation period.
Animal keepers at Hellabrunn had already familiarized themselves with Rani and Savani prior to the move to learn about their characteristics and habits.
Meanwhile, Verena Dietl, Mayor and Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of Tierpark Hellabrunn, extended a warm welcome to the new arrivals, expressing her appreciation for the cooperative effort between the scientifically managed zoological gardens.
Over the coming days, Rani and Savani will be gradually introduced to the existing elephant group at Hellabrunn, which comprises Otto, Temi, Mangala, and Gajendra. The zoo emphasized the importance of a smooth transition, so temporary closures of the elephant house for park visitors are possible during the sensitive acclimatization phase.
The process of acclimatizing the new elephants requires flexibility and attention, so animal keepers will work in shifts to monitor the behavior of the animals and guide the introduction carefully. "We adapt to the pace of the animals," explained Daniel Materna, team leader at Hellabrunn's elephant house.
In the new home at Hellabrunn Zoo, Rani and Savani might enjoy exploring a lifestyle that includes more than just home-and-garden; their enclosure could be suited for pets, given the nature of their species. As the days progress, the new additions, Rani, a 15-year-old elephant cow, and her two-year-old daughter Savani, will gradually adjust their routine to include interactions with other pets, like Otto, Temi, Mangala, and Gajendra, the existing elephant group at the zoo.
