The New Elephant House in Munich (28/34)

The New Elephant House in Munich (28/34)

Elephants don't like change but for this herd, the past four years have been a time of constant change. Hopefully, though, their new home with its natural flooring, waterfall and swimming pools will have been worth all the upheaval.

A lot has happened since the old elephant house was deemed no longer habitable. Now while the building is still recognizable from the outside, inside everything is different. The glazed roof structure was demolished but the historic walls remain. The facilities inside are nothing short of luxurious: there is natural flooring, a waterfall and swimming pools. Only glass panes separate the visitors from the animals. Overall, the renovation has been extremely complicated and has posed great challenges for the elephant herd. Because "elephants are very bourgeois", says their keeper. They don't like change.
The four-year building phase, however, has been a time of constant change. First the move to the temporary accommodation, then the adjustment within the herd when young Ludwig became rebellious and was moved, and finally the disruption of jackhammers shaking the ground under the sensitive feet of these great pachyderms.

The reportage tells the story of the conversion, the highs and the lows, it shows the deep connection between the keepers and the elephants and finally, the big move into their new home and the celebrations that accompanied it.