The announcement of their relocation from the L.A. Zoo to Tulsa Zoo sparked a lot online and real-life controversy. But despite all the drama, the beloved pachyderm pair is showing nothing but positive signs as they settle into their new home in Oklahoma.
At least that’s what official Tulsa Zoo sources have told various media outlets. Jordan Piha, Curator of Mammals, told local station 2News Oklahoma that the elephants are currently in quarantine, with plans to officially join their new herd by mid-June.
The quarantine period is a standard health and safety protocol followed whenever a new animal arrives at the zoo. Billy and Tina hasn’t had direct physical contact with their new herd (yet), but they can see each other across the fencing, get close, and communicate vocally. It’s a way for them to safely get used to one another before sharing the same space.
About their new living conditions, Piha described the additional 10 acres of the preserve as a wooded area filled with streams, ponds, and trees, offering a natural space for the elephants to explore. Because much of the park is made up of federally protected wetlands, they collaborated with the Army Corps of Engineers to install fencing to avoid disturbing the terrain or habitat. This effort helps maintain an environment similar to the wild habitats of Asian elephants, complete with swampy areas and dense vegetation.