ROAR OF APPROVAL
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Regular readers of this page may remember Raja, the !oddest elephant in captivity. When he grows up, the young Asian bull elephant will travel in this purpose-built elephant transporter, recently unveiled at Woburn Safari Park, for romantic trysts with lady elephants in other zoos.
This is all part of a European captive breeding programme for Asian and African elephants, which will involve 34 zoos. Project Raja is the result of a unique partnership between Woburn Safari Park and 14 companies, led by European logistics operator Christian Salvesen. Other sponsors from the industry include ATS, Don-Bur, Lea Harvey, Leyland Daf and Michelin. The transporter can carry three elephants and is fitted with CCTV so that the keepers can monitor the animals from the cab.
"There can be few more taxing logistical challenges than having to transport three five-tonne elephants hundreds of miles in comfort and safety," says Andy Rowe, Salvesen's group fleet engineering director.
Those of you who may find yourself behind the vehicle in a traffic jam will be glad to know that the trailer has been specially strengthened and modified with smooth, steel-lined walls, powerful winches and a non-slip floor. The transporter' s first assignment will be in October, when it will take three female elephants from London Zoo to WhIpsnade Wild Animal Park in Bedfordshire.
I bet those girls are looking forward to it already, trying to decide what to wear.