COLUMBIA, S.C. — Riverbanks Zoo and Garden announced some bittersweet news today.
I talked to the John Davis, Director of Animal Care and Welfare about some changes in exhibits at the Columbia favorite zoo.
“We’ve now made the difficult decision to -but it is the right decision based on the elephants- to look at closing our elephant exhibit," Davis told us.
Davis explained that basically that while looking at how to expand and improve their current elephant portion of the zoo, Riverbanks came to the realization that in order to provide the best level of care for their big friends, they needed to make some changes. They currently have space for four elephants but today’s standards call for larger herds to be housed together, something they just don’t have the space for here in Columbia.
“But then we’ll change the chapter and say goodbye to Robin and Belle," Davis says, "Which will be very hard but knowing we’ll be doing the right things on their behalf. We’re putting them in a socially diverse herd which is what we feel is in their best interest.”
But, that big space will not be empty long!
“We’re going to turn the page quickly and move to some construction and prepare to bring in Southern White Rhinos," Davis told us, "It’s a magnificent, wonderful species and in very high conservation need. And Riverbanks will be able to participate in a very high level because we will be bringing in a breeding group.”
While they do not know exactly where 48-year-old Robin and 37-year-old Belle are headed, they expect all of the changes to take place in the fall.
Davis says that they are open to the possibility of bringing back elephants in the future if they can work it out.
We’ll keep you updated on Robin and Belle’s move and everything else going on here at the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.