Leipzig Zoo gives two elephants to Hellabrunn Zoo

Leipzig Zoo has handed over two Asian elephants to Munich's Hellabrunn Zoo. The 15-year-old elephant cow Rani and her two-year-old daughter Savani were brought to the Bavarian capital by special transporter, the zoo announced. Both animals arrived safely and have already explored their new home, it said.

The move was made on the recommendation of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP). The aim is for Rani and Savani to establish their own matrilineage in Munich - in other words, a female family line. "Recently, the tensions caused by Kewa and Astra have increased so that we have had to separate Rani from the herd more and more frequently," said Zoo Director Jörg Junhold. In view of the extremely social herd animals, the situation was not ideal in the long term. "In this respect, we are glad that we were able to hand over both animals to an experienced elephant keeper nearby."

In the coming days, Rani and Savani will be gradually introduced to their new home and the Hellabrunn elephant group with Otto, Temi, Mangala and Gajendra. "Their gentle acclimatization is our top priority - we will take the time Rani and Savani need to settle in well," explained zoo director Rasem Baban.