Forest elephants, the smaller and more elusive cousins of savannah elephants, are rare in zoos, making our resident bull, Kofi, a truly special animal. Kofi’s enclosure is a lush, wooded area designed to replicate the dense forests of Central Africa, complete with muddy watering holes and foliage for foraging.
Kofi is a highly intelligent and sensitive animal. He enjoys using his trunk to manipulate objects, often surprising keepers with his problem-solving abilities. One of his favorite activities is stripping bark from logs, a natural behavior that also helps maintain his teeth.
Unlike his savannah counterparts, Kofi’s tusks are straighter and thinner, perfectly adapted for navigating dense forests. Visitors are often fascinated by his quieter demeanor, as he moves gracefully through his habitat. His presence in the zoo raises awareness about the plight of forest elephants, whose populations are threatened by poaching and habitat loss.