Three Asian Elephant live in the "Valley of Asian Elephant" at Tama Zoo: Anura (male, estimated 69 years old), Amara (female, 17 years old), and Vidura (male, 15 years old).

This time, we'll show you what Vidura's first nighttime roaming session was like since moving to the "Valley of Asian Elephant Elephants."


Vidura appears to be searching for food.
The male elephant enclosure in the "Valley of Asian Elephant" is divided into three areas: indoor, semi-indoor, and outdoor. Vidura used to spend the daytime hours from around 9 am to 4 pm in the semi-indoor and outdoor areas, and the nighttime hours until around 9 am the next morning in the indoor area only. However, from May 29, 2022, "nighttime release" was introduced, allowing Vidura to spend the nighttime hours in both the semi-indoor and outdoor areas.

By releasing the animals into their enclosure at night, they can utilize a large space even after dusk, ensuring they get enough exercise. The start date and time were determined based on the criterion that "the minimum nighttime temperature does not fall below 15℃."

In the "Valley of Asian Elephant," food can be hung from high places, encouraging the elephants to raise their trunks to take food, a natural behavior. As shown in the photo, barrels suspended high up contain fresh grass and hay. By having the elephants raise their trunks to take food little by little, their foraging time is increased, and their boring periods are reduced as much as possible.

On the first day of nighttime free-roaming, Vidura searched for and ate food placed in various locations, both in the semi-indoor and outdoor areas, and her feeding time increased. As this was her first nighttime free-roaming experience since moving to the "Valley of Asian Elephant," she did not lie down to sleep on the first day.
On the second day of nighttime release, the turtle appeared calmer than on the first day and ate its food well, just like on the first day. It was also seen lying down and sleeping in the outdoor area for about 30 minutes.
On the third day of nighttime free-roaming, the turtle was observed lying down and sleeping for about three hours. This is about the same length of time it slept when it was staying in the indoor area at night.

Vidura stretches its nose to try and get some food.	Vidura appears to be lying down and sleeping.

You won't be able to see Asian Elephant in their nighttime exercise area as it's only brought out after closing time, but please do come and see what they're up to during the day, such as Vidura eating food from high places.

[Tama Zoo Tama Zoological Park]

(June 10, 2022)