Guest guest Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 You're in for a big surprise Sydney Morning Herald Jano Gibson November 2, 2006 Eight Asian elephants destined for zoos in Sydney and Melbourne have touched down in Australia. They arrived by plane from the Cocos Islands, 2,750km north-west of Perth in the Indian Ocean, this morning. Eight police cars are on hand along with police motorcycle outriders to escort the large consigment. An officer at the airport said: " You won't be able to see them [the elephants], but you'll probably smell them. " The elephants began their controversial journey from Thailand in June and have been held in quarantine on the Cocos, where they passed crucial quarantine checks on October 31. Four female elephants and one male will be housed at Sydney's Taronga Zoo, while the remaining three elephants will go to Melbourne Zoo. The cost of bringing the elephants to Australia has been estimated at more than $50 million, including the cost of building new enclosures in Sydney and Melbourne. Before they left Thailand, animal activists demonstrated and delayed their departure on the grounds that the animals should be rehabilitated in the native land not taken to a foreign zoo. Photo: They're here ... plane carrying the elephants arrive at Sydney Airport: http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/11/02/elephants_wideweb__470x311,0.jpg http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/youre-in-for-a-big-surprise/2006/11/02/11623\ 39958509.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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