Gung travelled very well in a crate on the back of a truck, and unloaded calmly into the Elephant barn. Since then, the 4.2-tonne Elephant bull has been doing very well as he adjusts to a new environment, and enjoys life with old acquaintances.

He was greeted with excitement by some familiar faces in the Dubbo Elephant herd, including females Thong Dee and Porntip, and young males Luk Chai (Gung’s son) and Pathi Harn.

After arriving, Gung met his son, 15-month-old calf Sabai for the first time! Sabai acknowledged Gung’s arrival with obvious enthusiasm as he ran around and vocalised in the Elephant barn. It took just a couple of days for Gung to adjust to the Elephant routine here, which is the same as the routine at Taronga Zoo Sydney - so Gung hasn’t missed a beat.

He has already enjoyed pedicures and hose-downs alongside the rest of the herd. Gung soon learnt to venture out onto one of the display paddocks where he enjoyed a feed and a mud wallow.

He has been busy with enrichment items including his favourite toy from Taronga Zoo Sydney, two car tyres joined by a length of fire hose, that he likes to carry with him everywhere on his back!

He now returns back to the Elephant barn at night, which he shares with the other Elephants. Keepers are very pleased with Gung’s progress. He is a good-natured bull and a valuable breeding male for the Asian Elephant herd, with a bright future here in Dubbo.

Why are Asia Elephants so important? Elephants are not only a cultural icon throughout Asia, they also help to maintain the integrity of forest and grassland habitats. They may spend up to 19 hours a day feeding and they can produce about 100kgs of dung per day while wandering around an area that can cover up to 125 square miles. This helps to disperse germinating seeds. 

Visitors can spot Gung on exhibit daily, the Elephant Keeper Talk at 11.45am is a highlight.