The first of nine Asian elephants being moved from Melbourne Zoo to Werribee Open Range Zoo has arrived at his new home.
Fifteen year old Luk Chai arrived at the new $88 million, 21 hectare habitat after a fairly epic journey.
Weighing in at 4280 kilograms, Luk Chai made the move in a custom-built air conditioned crate that zookeepers have spent several years training him to voluntarily walk inside. The crate was then lifted by crane onto the back of a flat-bed truck and accompanied by police escort down the freeway.
Melbourne Zoo’s Asian elephants are being relocated to Werribee to provide them with a more spacious and naturalistic environment. The new, purpose-built habitat at Werribee spans an area the same size as the entire Melbourne Zoo—offering the elephants ample space to roam, graze, and engage in natural behaviours such as walking long distances, mud bathing, and socialisng in larger herds.
This move addresses the limitations of the urban setting of Melbourne Zoo, where space constraints have made it challenging to fully support the elephants’ physical and psychological well-being. The expansive open-range environment at Werribee is designed to replicate their wild habitat, promoting their overall health and allowing them greater choice and control over their activities.
The Melbourne Zoo’s remaining eight elephants are expected to join Luk Chai in coming days.
