AssetID: 55690816
Headline: Young bulls move to UK’s largest elephant habitat as part of conservation programme
Caption: Two young elephants have made a huge move across the UK as they take their next step towards adulthood. Fifteen-year-old African elephant bulls Impi and Mchumba arrived at Somerset's Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm on May 12 after relocating from Howletts Wild Animal Park as part of an international conservation breeding programme. The cheeky duo have swapped Kent for North Somerset to join the UK’s only dedicated bachelor herd for African elephants - a carefully managed group designed to mirror the way male elephants naturally leave their maternal herds as they mature. Their arrival forms part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), which helps manage elephant populations across Europe while supporting conservation and animal welfare. At Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, the young bulls will live within the largest elephant habitat in Northern Europe - a 20-acre space complete with grasslands, sand yards, a large pool, heated indoor areas and even a willow plantation. Keepers say the environment allows the elephants to roam freely, socialise and develop natural behaviours alongside other males. Tom Lindley, Lead Elephant Keeper at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, said: “Impi and Mchumba are full of character and we’re really excited to have them join the group. This is a big moment for them – moving away from their family group and into a bachelor group reflects exactly what we would expect to see in the wild. “Our oldest bull Janu will help guide them as they settle in. These groups are constantly evolving, and it’s incredible to watch the younger elephants learn and grow over time.” As part of the transfer, Noah’s Ark’s resident bull Shaka has now moved in the opposite direction to Howletts Wild Animal Park, where he will become the dominant male within an established mixed herd. Zoo staff said the confident bull will help maintain stability within the group and strengthen social dynamics among the herd. Chris Wilkinson, Curator at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, said: “Bachelor facilities like ours are essential for the sustainable management of male elephants within the EEP, allowing young bulls to develop in a way that closely reflects their natural behaviour. “Shaka’s move marks a significant moment in his journey. He has grown into a striking, dominant bull during his time here, and leaving the bachelor group is a natural progression for him now. “Howletts is already home to one of the UK’s largest elephant herds, with further investment and development of the elephant facilities planned. We look forward to seeing the habitat develop further and the role Shaka will play within that setting.” Both elephant moves were coordinated closely between the two wildlife parks, with specialist teams overseeing the transfers to ensure the highest standards of care throughout. Dr Arne Lawrenz from the EEP explained: “Bachelor elephant groups such as the one at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm play a vital role in the international breeding programme (EEP). They provide a positive social environment for adolescent male elephants, who need to move on from their maternal herd, closely reflecting natural behaviour in the wild. This in turn enables these young bull elephants to grow and develop to full maturity at which point they can play their part in breeding groups as dominant males.”
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