The Fukuoka Zoo in Japan has revealed plans to welcome four Asian elephants from Myanmar within the year, despite previous hurdles due to political unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, an agreement was struck with the Myanmar government to receive one male and three female elephants by spring of the following year. However, the zoo faced challenges deploying staff to Myanmar due to the pandemic and a coup. Consequently, the zoo has adjusted its initial plan. Instead of sending their staff, they proposed to Myanmar to accept local elephant keepers who will provide care and guidance for the elephants. This proposal has reportedly been accepted. After the selection of the elephants, the zoo plans to arrange transport, likely via a chartered plane. It has been six years since the zoo’s last female elephant, Hanako, passed away. The zoo, which has been undergoing significant renovations to its elephant habitat, hopes that the arrival of the new elephants will boost visitor numbers. Source: NHK
Photo by Irene Grace Tolentino on Unsplash
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