Jumbo Celebration for Janu: Celebrating a decade at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm
30th Aug 2024
We’re thrilled to celebrate a very special milestone here at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm—Janu, our African elephant, is marking his 10th anniversary with us! It’s been an incredible decade watching Janu grow from a young and timid bull to the impressive giant he is today.
From Shy Newcomer to Leader
When Janu first arrived at our zoo in September 2014, he weighed 1,788 kg (about 3,941 pounds). Over the past ten years, his weight has more than doubled! He now tips the scales at a mighty 4,550 kg (around 10,031 pounds)! His growth isn't just about weight, either. Janu has grown significantly in height, too. His first height measurement in February 2015 showed him standing at 6 feet 11 inches tall. Fast forward to May 2024, and Janu now stands at an impressive 9 feet 6.25 inches, making him the tallest elephant here at the zoo.
“It has been such a privilege to spend nearly every day of the last 10 years with Janu, watching him grow and develop into the behemoth that he is now. When he first arrived with us in 2014, he was a young and fairly timid bull, always quite nervous of his surroundings and could be very impatient with husbandry routines with us keepers. He has developed into a huge and confident male, with a newfound role as a dominant leader, and is very sure of himself, over Uli and Sutton. Janu is a very peaceful elephant and moves at his own pace. Despite only being 19 years old, he has grown to become the tallest and heaviest elephant here at the zoo, even surpassing 32-year-old Shaka." – Tom Lindley, Elephant section leader.
Janu’s transformation over the years has been nothing short of amazing. Tom Lindley, our Elephant section leader, shares his unique perspective on Janu’s journey: "Janu is very independent and confident, he loves staying outside day and night most of the year." This independence has played a huge role in shaping Janu's personality and stature within the herd.
A Unique and Recognisable Elephant
Born in July 2005 at Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent, Janu moved to Noah's Ark Zoo Farm from Port Lympne in 2014. Now, he’s the largest bull elephant at our zoo, easily recognisable by his distinctive feature—one short tusk. This one-of-a-kind characteristic makes Janu even more special to his keepers and visitors alike.
Janu shares his home, Elephant Eden, with his fellow elephants Shaka, Sutton, and Uli. Elephant Eden is the largest elephant habitat in the UK, offering a spacious and enriching environment for the elephants. This state-of-the-art habitat includes a swimming pool, a heated indoor barn, sand yards, expansive fields, and a large willow plantation. These facilities are very important for the well-being and natural behaviour exhibition of our elephants.
Supporting Conservation Efforts
Elephant Eden isn’t just a home for Janu and his friends; it's a vital part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) for African elephants. This program provides a supportive environment for individual males, allowing them to live and integrate into multi-generational groups. Here in their bachelor group, they learn from each other, developing social skills and exhibiting natural behaviours. Such habitats are crucial for the successful and healthy management of African elephants, recognising the differing social and spatial needs of males and females.
As we celebrate Janu's 10th anniversary, we also celebrate the commitment of Noah's Ark Zoo Farm to conservation, education, and the well-being of our animal residents. Here's to Janu's incredible journey over the last decade!
