TWO cheeky elephant calves are among four new arrivals at Dubbo's Western Plains Zoo, as the facility steps up its participation in the Asian Elephant insurance population project.
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The zoo welcomed mother and son duo Thong Dee and Luk Chai (five years old) on Friday, May 1, while Porntip (mother) and Pathi Harn (five year old male) were brought to Dubbo on Friday, April 24.
Taronga Western Plains General Manager Matthew Fuller said each of the new young bulls has their own unique personality.
"You see young Luk Chai taking cues from his mum, and being that little bit more cautious, just seeing what's going on and doing what a young elephant should do," Mr Fuller said.
"Whereas little Pathi, he's completely different. He's out there in the exhibit charging around - 'Keep up with me Mum!'."
"They have all got completely different personalities but that's what makes it so wonderful. They are very unique individuals."
The elephants are part of the Asian Elephant conservation program, aimed at establishing a regional 'herd' of Asian elephants in captivity.
Fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants remain in the wild across 13 different countries, but the isolation of different populations puts the elephants at risk of becoming inbred. Male elephants are also at risk, targeted by hunters for their tusks.
Mr Fuller said it's an exciting new project for the zoo to be a part of.
"This is a new era for us in terms of elephant management, new participation in the Asian elephant insurance population that's being managed across Australasia and obviously working with our near neighbours in Asia," Mr Fuller said.
"It's a new lease of life."
The four new arrivals see the zoo's elephant population more than double; the zoo was already home to fellow Asian elephants Burma and Gigi, and African elephant Cuddles.
But the elephants aren't the only new residents for Dubbo - they were accompanied on their journey west by a dedicated team of zookeepers.
"We should feature some of those keepers who have really uprooted their lives and moved out here to be with their young charges and settling into the crew as well," Mr Fuller said.
"Those guys are incredibly committed [and] really want to see nothing more than the best for their animals."
The two little families will eventually be combined to form a small herd, but will be separated again when the calves become mature adult bulls. Thong Dee and Porntip will continue to participate in the breeding program, and their two sons may also enter the program when they each full maturity.