Asian Elephant bull, Gung, has well and truly settled in at his new home at Taronga Western Plains Zoo since arriving from Taronga Zoo Sydney in late January 2018.

Gung travelled very well in a crate on the back of a truck, and unloaded calmly into the Elephant barn. Since then, the 4.2-tonne Elephant bull has been doing very well as he adjusts to a new environment, and enjoys life with old acquaintances.

He was greeted with excitement by some familiar faces in the Dubbo Elephant herd, including females Thong Dee and Porntip, and young males Luk Chai (Gung’s son) and Pathi Harn. After arriving, Gung met his son, 15-month-old calf Sabai for the first time! Sabai acknowledged Gung’s arrival with obvious enthusiasm as he ran around and vocalised in the Elephant barn.

It took just a couple of days for Gung to adjust to the Elephant routine at Dubbo, which is the same as the routine at Taronga Zoo Sydney - so Gung hasn’t missed a beat. He has already enjoyed pedicures and hose-downs alongside the rest of the herd. Gung soon learnt to venture out onto one of the display paddocks where he enjoyed a feed and a mud wallow. He has been busy with enrichment items including his favourite toy from Taronga Zoo Sydney; two car tyres joined by a length of fire hose, that he likes to carry with him everywhere on his back! He now returns back to the Elephant barn at night, which he shares with the other Elephants.

Keepers are very pleased with Gung’s progress. He is a good-natured bull and a valuable breeding male for the Asian Elephant herd, with a bright future here in Dubbo. Visitors can spot Gung on exhibit daily; the Elephant Keeper Talk at 11.45am is a highlight.