(AU) Elephants finally en route Australia

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Elephants finally en route Australia

By Drew Cratchley

July 30, 2006 05:37pm

 

EIGHT Asian elephants have finally begun their

controversial journey from Thailand to their new homes

in two Australian zoos.

 

The elephants, whose transfer to Australia has been

delayed because of legal wrangling and protests, were

loaded today on to a Russian airfreighter at Utapao

airport, about 150km south-east of Bangkok.

 

The elephants will be initially flown to the Cocos

Islands in the Indian Ocean, where they will spend

three months in quarantine before being transported to

Melbourne Zoo and Sydney's Taronga Zoo.

 

The transfer of the elephants was delayed in June when

protesters blocked their transportation to the Thai

airport, saying the animals would suffer in the

Australian zoos.

 

The protest followed a long legal battle between the

Australian Government and animal welfare groups, which

was resolved in February on several conditions

guaranteeing the elephants' welfare.

 

Taronga Zoo director Guy Cooper said today he was

delighted the elephants had finally begun their

journey to Australia.

 

" It's a tremendous feeling to be bringing our precious

cargo from Thailand to Australian territory, and one

step closer to making their eventual homes in the

custom-designed facilities we've built for these

elephants, " Mr Cooper said.

 

" I'd especially like to thank the Thai people and the

Thai Government for their strong support for the

project. "

 

The elephants were moved by truck during the cooler

hours of last night before being lifted into the

aircraft by crane today.

 

Protesters followed the convoy to the airport, and

have vowed to continue their campaign against the

deportation.

 

" We will protest at the Australian Embassy tomorrow, "

Pinan Chotiseranee told The Associated Press.

 

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,19960727-1702,00.html

 

 

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