Asian Elephant 'Billy' Will Become The Denver Zoo's Latest Import
DENVER (CBS4) - The first Asian elephant to be imported to the United States in 30 years will be coming soon to the Denver Zoo.
"Billy" is currently at the Antwerpen Zoo in Belguim. Later this summer he will be flown from Amsterdam to Denver, where he will be joining the elephants in the Toyota Elephant Passage exhibit.
Billy is a 5-year-old elephant. He has been named Budhi in Europe but he will take on the new name after the late William Chenoweth, a long-time zoo supporter.
"Denver Zoo is proud to take a leadership role in the management of multiple male elephants to support the long-term vitality of Asian elephants in zoo settings," Denver Zoo Vice President for Animal Care Brian Aucone said in a prepared statement. "This encourages breeding programs at all zoos while providing an excellent home for elephants."
Billy was born in the Dublin Zoo in 2008.