Asian Elephant enclosure at Tama Zoo had restricted access for renovations for approximately four months, from the fall of 2012 to March 2013, but will finally reopen to visitors in mid-March.

The renovation work was carried out to improve the living environment for Sri Lankan Elephant "Anura" (male, 60 years old) and to welcome the new elephant that will be donated from Sri Lanka.

The renovations included, firstly, the installation of a PC wall (protected contact wall). This device allows for safe management and treatment of the elephants' health from a distance. The renovations also covered a wide range of other areas, such as improving part of the exercise area's floor, which was previously entirely concrete, with soil and sand, installing sunshades and misting systems for the summer, and adding safety fences to the ramps within the enclosure to prevent falls.

To mark the reopening, Amara (female, 8 years old) and Vidula (male, 5 years old) have arrived from the Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawala, Sri Lanka. Amara means "eternity" or "immortality," and Vidula means "wisdom" or "intelligence."
Currently, under the guidance of an elephant handler (mahu) who accompanied them from the local area, the elephants undergo daily training that involves moving between their sleeping quarters and the exercise area, as well as training to become accustomed to the exercise area.

Let me tell you why these two elephants were chosen from the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka. This orphanage was established in 1975 and provides shelter for elephants and other animals that can no longer live in the wild for various reasons. As of the end of 2012, a total of 83 elephants, including adults and calves, were being cared for. According to Sri Lankan law, elephants sent from the orphanage to zoos overseas must be born at the orphanage and be at least five years old. In 2011, 15 elephants were born at the orphanage, but these elephants will not leave the orphanage until 2016 or later.

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of friendship between Sri Lanka and Japan, two elephants were selected from among those born in orphanages and aged five years or older.

Amala, a female elephant, has long been considered one of the most beautiful elephants in Pinnawala. While her beauty is certainly a factor, it's also due to her large ears. In Sri Lanka, large ears are apparently a sign of a good elephant.

Vidura, a male elephant, was a lively elephant who used to run around the orphanage's backyard as if he owned the place, and since coming to Japan, he has become a very affectionate and clingy elephant to Amara.

Anura, who had previously lived in Asian Elephant enclosure, was reunited with another elephant for the first time since the death of the female elephant "Gacha" in November 1993. However, as far as animal keeper could see, there was no change in their relationship. Could the three elephants be communicating using the ultra-low frequency sounds unique to elephants?

Anura is currently in the midst of an aggressive phase called Musto, banging on the partition door in the middle of the night, but Amara and Vidura remain unfazed by the noise and continue to sleep. Perhaps they are not easily fazed by minor things, as they lived with many elephants in Pinnawala.

Regarding the possibility of housing Anura and the two elephants together in the future, there are still many unknowns, such as the age difference, physical strength difference, and strength difference, so we will observe how they interact when they meet through the fence before making a decision.

Therefore, from mid-March onwards, the exhibits will follow two patterns for a while: either Anura alone, or Amara or Vidura. Please come and visit the newly renovated Asian Elephant enclosure.

Photo above: Amara, a female dog, being trained by Mahfu.
Photo: The renovated elephant enclosure, with a PC wall visible in the lower left.
Photo below: Elephant Orphanage in Binnawala

[Koji Yamakawa, Tama Zoo]

(March 8, 2013)