ATLANTA — The new elephant exhibit opening next month at Zoo Atlanta has a new resident.
Msholo, an adult male African elephant, will be a part of the Zambezi Elephant Center at the African Savanna, opening on August 8, zoo officials announced today. He arrived Wednesday in Atlanta.
Msholo is 30-years-old and weighs 11,000 pounds. He came from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
The Zambezi Elephant Center is the indoor component of the Zoo’s new elephant complex. He will reside in that location for a period as he acclimates to his new spaces.
Msholo will meet the African elephants at Zoo Atlanta, Kelly and Tara, who moved to the Zambezi Elephant Center on June 16.
"The ability to meet a new social companion will be an enriching opportunity for Kelly and Tara, whose well-being was the primary goal of the design of their new African Savanna habitat, which more than triples the size of their former habitat," Zoo Atlanta officials said.
The African Savanna and Zambezi Elephant Center have the capacity to house up to seven elephants.
The center will include a large observation area where zoo visitors will be able to get a behind-the-scenes look at the elephants’ care.
Kelly and Tara, both 36-years-old, arrived at Zoo Atlanta in 1986.
The Zoo continues to partner with organizations around the globe to protect elephants.
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