Armenia-Georgia

He weighs more than 5 tons - and there is no doubt he earned his name: The elephant bull „Grand“ was to be moved from the zoo in Yerevan, Armenia to the zoo in Tiflis, Georgia.

This type of transport carries many risks – for man and animal. That is why the responsible parties in Armenia and Georgia asked the Academy to accompany the elephant on his trip. Their hope is that Grand will mate with the elephant cow Malka in Georgia.

Dr. Wiesner and Dr. Maltzan traveled to Armenia in June to provide veterinarian care for Grand during his trip. At the Yerevan zoo the elephant bull had already been familiarized with his transport container during the preceding weeks.But before the elephant could embark on his trip, he had to be immobilized for loading into the container and for a blood examination. The veterinarians used a particularly animal-friendly method: the so-called „Standing Immobilization“.

With this method the animal does not go down completely, rather it stays in a standing position which spares the circulatory system and - also considering the size and weight of an elephant - contributes to avoiding possible injuries to the elephant‘s joints and organs.

After the successful immobilization, Dr. Wiesner and Dr. Maltzan monitored Grand during the 10 hour night drive with Armenian police escort from Armenia to Georgia.We were all very happy when we reached Tiflis in Georgia and finally had Grand standing in his new stall chewing on some hay. Man and animal arrived at the destination unscathed. ■