Anjalee arrived at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo on 8 March 2022. In the year and a half that Anjalee has been here, she has thrived in her new environment and has formed some great relationships with the elephants, and the keepers who have the privilege of working with her every day.

Anjalee is a sweet-natured and exceptionally intelligent elephant, who learns new things very quickly. Her bond with the females in the herd has grown considerably since her arrival, as the herd comes together regularly to dust bath, wallow, graze, and forage. She has found her role in the herd as a doting Aunty to Kanlaya (the youngest elephant in the herd at 5) and you will often find her standing guard over Kanlaya as she enjoys her midday naps, or joining her for swims in the summer months.

Anjalee has now had multiple social interactions with all the bulls that reside at TWPZ. We hope that there will be opportunity for Anjalee to naturally breed here in Dubbo and fulfil her crucial role in the conservation breeding program for Asian Elephants in Australia, as her genetics are unrepresented in the region.

Anjalee's name means 'gracious gift' in Sinhalese, and she has indeed been an absolute gift to the team here in Dubbo. We are thrilled with her progress and integration so far into the herd and into the routine here in Dubbo, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for Anjalee and the Asian Elephant program at Taronga Western Plains Zoo!

Written by Christina Nicolas.