SL to send two elephants to Prague zoo

6 October 2012 08:13 am - 22 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka has donated two young female Indian elephants to the Prague zoo, where they will arrive on Saturday, flown to the Czech Republic by a Sri Lankan military plane, Prague zoo director Miroslav Bobek has told the media.

The elephants, eight-year-old Janita and seven-year-old Tamara, come from the elephant zoo in Pinnawale.

"The Hercules C-130 with them is to take off on Saturday at 01:00 the local time," Bobek, who is staying in Colombo, said.

In return, the Prague zoo will send two comodo dragons, two Przewalski horses and two young hippopotamuses to the Colombo zoo.

Nevertheless, the elephant acquisition is Sri Lanka's gift to the Czech Republic rather than routine exchange of animals between zoos, Bobek said.

Prague zoo deputy director Jaroslav Simek said it is a unique project that will largely help extend the genetic base of the European breeding of Indian elephants.

"The elephant acquisition is the result of long-lasting efforts of [Czech] ambassador Miloslav Stasek and other officials from the Czech diplomatic mission to New Delhi, of the Czech Foreign Ministry and also of the fans of the Prague zoo," Bobek said.

Owing to Sri Lanka's offer to use its own plane to transfer the animals the Prague zoo will save money for the costly transfer.

The whole project that has been prepared for two years will cost the zoo 4.5 million crowns.

The newcomer elephants will be accommodated in a new pavilion that has been completed in the Prague zoo and that is now inhabited by an Indian elephant male and three females, including a pregnant one.

The Prague zoo wanted to bring four new elephants from Sri Lanka but the country never provides more than two to foreign applicants. (CTK)

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Comments - 22

Saman Saturday, 06 October 2012 01:04 PM

Thank you for the Multi-barrels!

Pramod Fernando Sunday, 07 October 2012 09:18 AM

Oooops! Ranil and Sajith going to Prague?

Amali kulatunga Sunday, 07 October 2012 06:25 AM

Send them to the kovil's in Lanka....let the watu demal's give animal sacrifice...this country will be a better place if not for the dirty Indian Tamils....

Sareek Sunday, 07 October 2012 04:36 AM

Send some donkeys from parliment

Thomas The Engine Saturday, 06 October 2012 11:37 PM

Sri Lanka needs to ensure the welfare of elephants, particularly during Winter months. Don't let the elephants suffer.

ANTON Saturday, 06 October 2012 10:34 PM

ROSY AND MALANI

bernardwijeyasingha Saturday, 06 October 2012 05:51 PM

Though the Prague Zoo will take good care of them I know these elephants will miss their island paradise terribly. They are highly intelligent animals and would know the difference. Sad.

Ruzaick Saturday, 06 October 2012 05:26 PM

Instead of sending these innocent animals to prague zoo why not send some of our stupid ministers such as Modawansa, Mervin silva, Bandula etc. there

Rick Saturday, 06 October 2012 03:51 PM

The Asian or Asiatic elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed in Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Three subspecies are recognized — Elephas maximus maximus from Sri Lanka, the Indian elephant or E. m. indicus from mainland Asia, and E. m. sumatranus from the island of Sumatra. So in fact THREE types!

Rick Saturday, 06 October 2012 03:49 PM

So I can assume then, that the Sumatran, Chinese, Thai, Burmese Elephants, are all Indian. Wonder why non of those countries, class them as Indian? Maybe you should inform them!

kapa ta pissu Saturday, 06 October 2012 03:12 PM

Lucky elephants. otherwise, they would end up in a farm well or killed by a hakka patas. Atleast they will enjoy life now.

sam Saturday, 06 October 2012 12:00 AM

y not.send some wild good for.nothing politicians for ever to someother country via DM Android App

Lanka Lion - Sydney Saturday, 06 October 2012 12:17 PM

Good for nothing Ranil is a rouge elephant and will run amok in the Prague zoo

paths Saturday, 06 October 2012 11:59 AM

dont like them being uprooted like this; if only they can speak.
Pray they will be happy in this country that will be new to them.

Malini Saturday, 06 October 2012 11:38 AM

Why don't you send Ranil and Thissa to Prague.

Janaki Kalansuriya Saturday, 06 October 2012 11:09 AM

So, where is all that hue and cry we had sometime back when another baby pachy was going to a cold country? Have they all been taken in white vans? Prague has a terrble winter which pachyderms are not accustomed to.

Unchikun Saturday, 06 October 2012 09:06 AM

Please do not disgrace the graceful elephants. Elephants are very deciplined animals .

Don Saturday, 06 October 2012 08:59 AM

Big elephant Ranil should have included.

Unchikun Saturday, 06 October 2012 08:55 AM

The elephants. In Sri Lanka belong to the same family. That is why. We are also Indians like it or not. Going futher we are Africans. So sit back relax and read about evolution.

Unchikun Saturday, 06 October 2012 08:53 AM

Please consider RW.

Tharaka Chanaka Saturday, 06 October 2012 08:35 AM

Send Malaka Silva too...

Rick Saturday, 06 October 2012 08:27 AM

Why are Lankan elephants called Indian elephants? Are we now apart of India?

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SL to send two elephants to Prague zoo

Comments - 22

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