Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jul 26: It was an emotional day at Bannerghatta Biological Park as four beloved elephants – Suresh, Tulsi, Gauri, and Shruti – embarked on a historic journey to Japan under the International Animal Exchange Project, marking the first such instance in the country.

In heart-wrenching scenes witnessed on Thursday morning, Suresh the elephant showed visible reluctance to leave his lifelong companion Basava. As the transfer operation began at around 11 am, Suresh clung to Basava before finally taking hesitant steps towards the transport cage. The others – Gauri, Shruti, and Tulsi – soon followed, comforted by the presence of familiar keepers.

The exchange, in the works since 2023, was made possible through the collaboration of the Central Zoo Authority, Embassies of Japan and India, and other departments. The elephants were airlifted from Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, to Kansai International Airport, Osaka, aboard a Qatar Airways B777-200F cargo aircraft. The flight is expected to last about eight hours.

In preparation, the elephants had undergone three months of specialized training. A dedicated team — including two veterinary officers, four mahouts, a supervisor, and a biologist — will accompany them and remain in Japan for 15 days to help them adapt to their new home.

While Bannerghatta said goodbye with heavy hearts, the future holds excitement. The park is expected to welcome rare species such as cheetahs, jaguars, pumas, chimpanzees, and capuchin monkeys, offering wildlife enthusiasts the chance to witness exotic animals in enriched habitats.