Zoo farm tragedy Investigation launched after elephant’s death
AN investigation has been launched after a incident between two elephants left one of them dead.
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in Wraxall has announced the death of M’Changa, a male African bull elephant.
His death followed an incident in the early hours of Friday where another bull elephant went into the area where M’Changa was asleep.
An attack ensued that unfortunately left M’Changa with fatal injuries.
An investigation has now been launched into the incident.
The future of the elephant programme at the zoo farm is also being reviewed.
A spokesman for Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm said: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of one of our male African elephants, M’Changa, who has passed away following an incident with one of our other elephants here at the zoo.
“Our dedicated team of elephant keepers are understandably distraught over this recent event and we are doing all that we can to support them during this difficult time.
“In the early hours of Friday morning, another bull elephant went into the area where M’Changa was asleep.
“A full review is now in progress, including an investigation into events surrounding the incident and looking at future plans to establish the best way forward for the elephant programme at Noah’s Ark.”
The bull elephant group have 24-hour access to the outside and inside areas of their enclosure.
They are typically social animals so having the option of being together is an important part of elephant welfare.
The facility, Elephant Eden, has been previously commended on its best practice with specialist elephant keepers, 20 acres of space to roam and extensive efforts made for enrichment and sustaining healthy, active elephants.
The zoo was not open to the public at the time of the incident.
The zoo farm’s other bull elephants Shaka and Janu were unharmed.
M’Changa, aged 12, arrived at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in 2014 from Boras Zoo, Sweden and had very much become an integral part of the male bachelor group of elephants.
Janu also arrived in 2014 and Shaka in 2018.
After a lengthy process of introduction, all three elephants have successfully lived together for over three years.
The elephants play a hugely important role as a male population that can be transferred to other facilities as breeding bulls to contribute to breeding programmes.
A senior spokesperson at the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) said: “BIAZA is saddened to hear of the news of the unfortunate loss of an elephant at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm.
“Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm has one of the largest elephant facilities in the UK and Europe.
“The bachelor elephant group at Noah’s Ark plays a key supporting role serving wider African elephant conservation efforts as an important part of the European Endangered Species Programme.
“Our thoughts are with the dedicated elephant care staff at Noah’s Ark.”
In the wild, African Elephants are Endangered according to the IUCN red list.
They are threatened by poaching for ivory and habitat loss.
Noah’s Ark managing director Larry Bush said: “The Noah’s Ark team are incredibly passionate about all the animals at the zoo and M’Changa’s loss will be felt very deeply.
“He will be missed dearly by all staff as well as our members and visitors. We will continue to help promote and contribute to the conservation of elephants into the future.”
The Noah’s Ark team are incredibly passionate about all the animals at the zoo and M’Changa’s loss will be felt very deeply