AssetID: 55914524
Headline: Elephants return to Europe’s only specially-grown willow plantation
Caption: Five African elephants have returned to Europe’s only specially-grown willow plantation after it was given time to recover from their destructive dining habits. The bull elephants are once again roaming the 5,000-square-metre (1.2-acre) woodland at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, near Bristol, southwest England. Dominant male Janu led the way back into the plantation, which is packed with willow, aspen, poplar and other elephant-friendly vegetation. The woodland first opened in 2022 after almost a decade of planning and growth. But it periodically has to be rested because the huge animals strip bark, snap branches and munch their way through the vegetation. All five elephants will now get the chance to explore the regenerated plantation, with access being rotated between them. Tom Lindley, Elephant Section Leader at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, said: “The plantation has changed significantly since the elephants last had access to it, so it has been fascinating to watch them explore it again. “With the current heatwave, it’s particularly great to see them enjoying the lush vegetation and making the most of the cool, green environment. “African elephants are incredibly effective at shaping their environment. “They browse, strip bark, break branches and feed their way through vegetation, so giving the plantation time to regenerate means that when they return, there is plenty of new growth for them to investigate.”
Keywords: feature,photo feature,photo story,African elephants,elephants,willow plantation,Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm,Bristol,England,Europe,Elephant Eden,wildlife,zoo,animal welfare,conservation,African bull elephants,Janu,Impi,Mchumba
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