Taipei Travel

Taipei Zoo's Tropical Rainforest Area is about to undergo its first partial renovation in nearly 30 years, and animals in the area are also beginning relocation preparations. During the renovation period, Asian elephants You-Shin and You-Kai will temporarily move to the African Animal Area, where they will become neighbors with African elephant Chian-Hui. To reduce the stress caused by environmental changes, the animal care team has arranged scent desensitization for the three elephants in advance, allowing them to gradually become familiar with one another and prepare for living side by side in the future.

The project aims to improve animal welfare and update aging facilities. In line with international trends in professional zoo animal care, Taipei Zoo is planning to upgrade care spaces for large herbivores and carnivores. Because both Asian and African elephants are intelligent and sensitive species, suddenly becoming neighbors could cause tension and stress. The zoo has therefore adopted a gradual acclimation approach. In the initial stage, sand carrying the elephants' scents was exchanged to observe their responses. It then moved on to using dung as a scent medium, allowing the elephants to recognize each other's condition through smell.

Observations show that the Asian elephants reacted more noticeably to unfamiliar scents, spending long periods sniffing and vocalizing, along with displaying interactive behaviors. African elephant Chian-Hui, by contrast, remained relatively calm, giving the scents only brief attention before continuing to observe. Through this desensitization process, the elephants are gradually building familiarity with one another's scents, which will help them live together more smoothly in the future.

You-Shin and You-Kai are expected to complete their relocation in the first half of 2026. In addition to scent acclimation, the zoo is also carrying out various desensitization preparations, including exposure to construction noise, transport crates, and restraint training. During their visit, guests may also have a chance to observe the elephants' responses to these training sessions and take the opportunity to explore the Tropical Rainforest Area before construction begins.