The great Elephant move, involving the five cows from Antwerp is now well underway... cows have been arriving at Planckendel throughout the day and everything appears to have gone to plan so far (with the exception of the bull of course)
Maybe now Planckendael may opt for a different approach. Maybe waiting until all five females have arrived and settled in before looking to import a new bull.
They haven't got much choice in the matter. Chances are that by the time a new male is sourced, agreed with EEP and studbook co-ordinator, transport arranged (which takes a lot of planning for a mature bull) and all the neccessary heath checks carried out and permits arranged... they will be very lucky to have him in time for Christmas. More like 2013 if we are being realistic
I've followed the elephant move from Antwerp to Planckendael. Only the first 3 elephants: Khaing Phyo Phyo, May-Tagu and Kai-Mook. Dumbo and Yu Yu Yin were too late for me.
From Antwerp to Planckendael (fotos made by me): https://picasaweb.google.com/101953896406452261659/OlifantenverhuisZOOVanAntwerpenPlanckendael#
Some pictures of the new stables in Planckendael on their Faebook: Familiereünie / Réunion de famille | Facebook
A new young female Indian rhino? From where? Who?
A late answer... But Karamat will leave Whipsnade, and comes to Planckendael this winter. See: https://www.zoochat.com/community/posts/606313
In this (Dutch) press-release you can find some pictures of the renewed (splitted into two parts) exhibit in Planckendael:
Planckendael | Nieuwsberichten
The male Gujarat will get one part of the exhibit, the female Johanna (and the new female Karamat) will share the other part.