African Elephants

In the spring of 2018, a total ban on wild animals in circuses was implemented in Denmark, and in the fall of 2019, it was decided that Knuthenborg Safaripark would take over the country’s last four circus elephants, Lara, Djungla, Jenny, and Ramboline. You can experience them in their large enclosure, Elefantsletten.

For the past 30 years, the elephants in the enclosure have performed in circus shows throughout Europe. However, in their retirement at Knuthenborg Safaripark, they are free to “just be elephants” and exhibit natural behavior in a savannah-like area spanning 140,000 m2.

The elephants can choose whether they want to be inside or outside, but as something new, you have the opportunity to visit the elephant stable every day and get an insight into their environment.

Europe’s largest and most advanced elephant enclosure

The elephant enclosure is not only large, but it is also designed in a way that has not been seen anywhere else in Europe. The design of the enclosure is intended to serve as inspiration for other elephant keepers on how future elephant enclosures should be designed.

The size and layout of the enclosure allow us to activate the animals in different ways every day, challenging their instincts to forage. There will constantly be food-related tasks throughout the large enclosure that the animals have to solve. The elephants can also bathe in water, mud, and sand, as well as socialize with each other as if they were on the actual savannah in Africa.

The planning of the enclosure has become a reality in collaboration with Dyrenes Beskyttelse (Animal Protection) and has had a primary focus on providing maximum animal welfare.

The enclosure gives our guests the feeling of overlooking the African savannah and enjoying the sight of these magnificent animals. We hope to create a connection between our guests and our animals that ultimately fosters a desire to protect not only elephants but also our vulnerable nature worldwide.

See an illustration of the enormous elephant enclosure here. It was created by Sanne Fredin.

About African Elephants

Habitat
Ranges from dry savannahs to dense, lush rainforests in Africa, primarily southern Africa

Lifespan
Up to 50 years

Weight
2.8 – 6 tons

Height
2.2 – 3.2 meters

Gestation
Period 22 months

Number of Offspring
1 calf

Conservation Status
Threatened

Did you know...

• The African elephant is the world’s largest land mammal.
• Elephants live in social groups led by an older matriarch.
• Elephants are herbivores, primarily feeding on grass, bark, leaves, herbs, and plant roots.
• An elephant’s trunk has about 150,000 muscles and tendons.
• An elephant’s trunk functions like two fingers, capable of picking up a peanut from the ground, cracking it, and eating the nut.
• An elephant’s trunk also acts as a giant straw, sucking up water. It can hold up to 8 liters of water, which they flush into their mouths.
• Elephants are remarkably skilled at snorkeling. They submerge themselves underwater with their trunks raised to escape from lion prides.
• Elephant ears function as a ventilation system.
• Elephants are the only mammals that cannot jump.
• Elephants communicate through ground vibrations and sound frequencies that are inaudible to humans. This enables them to keep track of their herd members over long distances.
• Elefantsletten at Knuthenborg is a retirement home for older female elephants that come from zoos or circuses.

Meet the elephants at Elefantsletten.