Translation of the announcement: What is happening behind this wall? We are making the outdoor enclosure of our elephant bulls bigger! Assam and Sam are two youngsters in puberty, who like to play, push, poke, bump, swim and climb. The bigger outdoor enclosure will make that all even more possible for them to enjoy.

Very cool that they're getting a new enclosure!

@carinagryp6264

10 ай бұрын

There used to be a sort of herd of elephants in Zoo Antwerpen, although they were not all related. Female Dumbo was the oldest and the matriarch. She had been in Zoo Antwerpen for many years already. I have never known another elephant there since we started to visit the zoo regularly in 1990. (l don't know if you know this - With elephants in the wild, it's the oldest female who is the leader of the herd. The males are only allowed to join during mating season. Young bulls that are born in the herd, are driven away after a certain age. ) Later on, Dumbo was joined by 3 other younger females, of which one was a daughter of one of the 2 older ones. In 2009, Kai-Mook was born, being the first ever elephant born in Zoo Antwerpen. It got a lot of media attention. Kai-Mook was even officially registered in the city 's administration of births. 😉😀 As it was clear, the size of the elephants' enclosure wasn't sufficient at all anymore, a much larger one was created at Zoo Planckendael and the herd was moved in 2012. Sadly, Dumbo has died recently. Kai-Mook has become a mom herself of son Tun-Kai a few years ago. Since then, Zoo Antwerpen has 2 young bulls that are staying there until they become of age to join the breeding programme. But still, even for only 2 elephants, improvement was needed, so now Sam and Assam finally got more space. The rules of keeping animals in zoos are changing still, all to the benefit of the animals. That's why Zoo Antwerpen and Zoo Planckendael decided to reduce the number of species so that the ones they have can get more space.

Can't wait to see them on Tuesday😊

@carinagryp6264

10 ай бұрын

Hopefully they will be out to explore all the new stuff! Thank you for your comment, Jennifer! 😃👍

Assam is a north eastern state of India. I come from that state. Indian movie BGM❤❤

@carinagryp6264

10 ай бұрын

Then that is maybe the reason why he was named that way. Assam came from another zoo, so l don't know for sure. But it's a funny coincidence! I'm actually proud it is! Thank you for your comment, Leon! 😃👍

@leonsdenin

10 ай бұрын

@@carinagryp6264 but, thank you celebrating my wife's day🤣🤣🤣😵

@carinagryp6264

10 ай бұрын

@leonsdenin Is it your wife's birthday or do you call her an elephant... 😲😛😄

@leonsdenin

10 ай бұрын

@@carinagryp6264 i call her Ms. Phant(ele)🤣🤣

Any plans for females? Breeding?

@carinagryp6264

10 ай бұрын

Even now, with the bigger outdoor enclosure, they plan having 2 elephants maximum. The young bulls are changing regularly, according to the age one of them becomes. The older one goes to another zoo, and the younger bull is then joined by an even younger one to teach him the elephants' way. So that means Assam will be going some time in the future and Sam will get another playmate. Please read my reply to Emily as well. Thanks. Thank you for your comment, Traci! 😊👍