Between eagle and bear

Lost? Elephant moved into the Innsbruck Alpine Zoo

The elephant on its stopover in Innsbruck.(Bild: Alpenzoo, Krone KREATIV)

Even if it sounds like it: Nobody took a wrong turn here! The fact that an Indian elephant moved into the Innsbruck Zoo for Alpine Animals on Wednesday was intentional. The six-year-old animal actually had a different destination.

The colossus, which weighs several tons, is currently travelling from Prague Zoo to Pombia in Italy. But because the journey by truck takes too long to complete in one piece, the trunky passenger had to spend a night in a "hotel", so to speak. This is where the Alpine Zoo came into play as overnight accommodation for the stopover. 

The zoo world is a large community and the Alpine Zoo was delighted to be able to help with this transportation. After all, you don't see an elephant in the Alps every day.

Alpenzoodirektor André Stadler

The elephant moved into his "room" and was provided with water, food and fresh hay. Immediately after breakfast the next day, the heavy traveler continued on towards Pombia. 

It is not known whether the short-term roommate caused any surprise among the other zoo animals. After all, not many elephants have been seen in the Alps since the time of Hannibal . . .