The (almost!) complete article translated.
Bellewaerde Park has scheduled a transfer of elephants to the beginning of next week. Po-Chin is leaving Monday and Tunga, his little brother, will arrive in Ypres Wednesday, April 21 morning.
To see Po-Chin last time in the environment that is familiar to you must come visit him this weekend. Po-Chin is leaving us this Monday, April 19 after having lived 6 years Bellewaerde Park. It has now reached the age of 10 years and will very soon join the herd Pair Daiz (Paradisio) to address reproductive and contribute to the preservation of the species.
Immediately after his departure, his younger brother Tunga, age 5, will be transferred from Chester Zoo in England to Bellewaerde Park. There remain a few years to the example of Po-Chin. His arrival at Bellewaerde Park is scheduled for Wednesday, April 21 morning.
That male elephants Bellewaerde Park
In the international zoos and wildlife parks, Bellewaerde Park is renowned for its center of young male elephants. It is the first zoo in Europe there be special and this is a deliberate choice. Thus, the park is an important link in the framework of European breeding program.
In the wild, when a male elephant reaches the age of 4-5 years he left his flock for some time. This phenomenon must also be respected in zoos. Bellewaerde Park plays an important role in allowing the transition of male elephants until they reach puberty and can subsequently join a breeding group of another zoo.
Special Transportation
The transport of elephants is not a common thing and can be done in two ways. The first is to anesthetize the animals and raise them in the shipping container. The second is to train the animals to get used to be attached during transport and to cooperate voluntarily. Since an anesthesia is never without risk and the welfare pachidermes, Bellewaerde Park has resolutely opted for the latter course.
Training for transport
For over a year, trainers Bellewaerde Park and Chester Zoo meticulously prepare the transfer. Po-Chin and Tunga both follow regular training to familiarize themselves with the method and rules of transportation and so easily collaborate on D-Day
For transport, one of the forelegs and hind legs of the elephant must be attached by a chain. Instruction includes several phases. First, get used to wear some kind of bracelet, then in the enclosures, learn to keep an accurate position while having the legs shackled. This way, the transport can take place safely, both for animals and the animal keepers who accompany them!
The trip will be short for Po-Chin: it remains in Belgium and moved to Pair
Daiz (Paradisio) in Ath. For Tunga, the road will be longer since Tuesday morning from the Chester Zoo, located in England, and arrive at Bellewaerde Park to discover its new home Wednesday morning.
Tunga met Fahim
Fahim, another young elephant staying Bellewaerde Park, will very soon have a new playmate Fahim 4 years and has resided in November 2009 to Bellewaerde Park.
When he arrived Wednesday morning, Tunga can explore his indoor enclosure, while Fahim benefit of fresh air from outside. Shortly after, the animal keepers will go Fahim in the pen so that the two elephants to get to know. Social contact between young male elephants is very important. The elephants are also very players and take care undoubtedly set the mood. A Bellewaerde Park, elephants are the favorite animals of visitors!
I'm pretty certien that Po-Chin is Jangolie's calf. However I'm not sure on that. If it isn't him then it will be Assam (now in Budapest)
