THE upcoming departure of Belfast Zoo's two remaining elephants has prompted a call for welfare standards at the Belfast facility to be made a priority.
The Asian elephants, named Yhetto and Dhunja, will be transferred to the Netherlands, where they will take up residence at Burgers' Zoo in the city of Arnhem.
The decision was ratified at Monday evening's full meeting of Belfast City Council, following earlier approval at the council's City Growth and Regeneration Committee.
The committee also approved a "long-term development plan" for the council-owned zoo, along with an audit "in relation to standards management" of the animal collection.
The decision to move the two elephants, both aged in their 40s, to the Netherlands brings to an end Belfast Zoo's historic link to the animals, native to Africa and Asia.
In 1941, a north Belfast woman famously housed a calf elephant from the zoo in the back yard of her Whitewell Road home.
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She took the animal to her house every night and returned it to the zoo each morning, to protect it from being shot by RUC officers under orders from the British Ministry of Public Security.
Twenty-three animals at the zoo were shot dead over fears they could wreak havoc if they escaped during a bombing blitz by the German Luftwaffe.
The woman, Denise Austin, was dubbed the 'Elephant Angel' for protecting the calf, called Shelia, and the story was the basis of the movie, 'Zoo', which was released in 2017.
That same year, the zoo's popular elephant Tina died aged 54, having been known for her mischevious behaviour that included stealing items from visitors.
Following confirmation of the elephant transfer, Sinn Féin councillor Conor Maskey said: "It was confirmed in 2019 that Belfast Zoo failed in standards of the body tasked with authorising the housing of elephants, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA).
"As a city, we should always and forever have the welfare of animals that we are custodians of as a priority.
"Animal welfare needs to be paramount for us and therefore we need to agree at council about our way forward in this regard."
Mr Maskey added: "It's clear that the status quo with regards to the zoo is not acceptable.
"We should all be focused on getting the proper investment into the zoo that protects all species housed at Bellevue and prioritises education for young people and conservation of all animal species."
A spokesperson for Belfast City Council told the Irish News preparations are underway to "ensure a safe and stress-free journey" fo the elephants.
"It is likely to take up to one year to plan their move," they said.
“While the whole zoo team will be sad to see Dhunja and Yhetto leave, their new home will provide a rich environment, well suited to their age and particular background. They will also be joined by another non-breeding pair of similar age to make up a herd of four, in keeping with BIAZA guidelines.
“Dhunja and Yhetto have enjoyed, and will continue to receive, the highest standards of care at Belfast Zoo until they are ready to begin the journey to their new home."
They added: “A number of improvements have taken place at the zoo in recent years to enhance animal habitats and improve the visitor experience, including this summer’s opening of a new lion enclosure. An overall regeneration plan for the wider zoo site, as well as options around the future homing of large mammals, will be presented to councillors for consideration in due course.”
