Dublin Zoo elephants

140 years of elephants, 4,000kg of pure Asian elephant - Dublin Zoo's most iconic residents have attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors with their playful antics and magnificent presence over the years.

With the passing of gentle giant Bernhard in 2021, Dublin Zoo is now home to three female Asian elephants: Yasmin, Asha and Anak.

We can hear them before we see them.

Yasmin, Asha and Anak are making their morning introductions, rumbling loudly to tell everyone they're awake. They sound like foghorns, with little rumbling undertones of "good morning!" This daily chorus is an essential part of the elephants' morning routine, and it's a lovely way to start the day.

I've been visiting these wonderful creatures for years, and I'm always amazed by their intelligence and gentle nature. They're so full of character, and each one has a unique personality.

Yasmin is the matriarch of the herd. She's a wise old elephant with a kind and gentle nature. Asha is the middle child. She's a playful and energetic elephant who loves to interact with visitors. Anak is the baby of the herd. She's a curious and adventurous elephant who loves to explore her surroundings.

The elephants at Dublin Zoo are all rescues. Yasmin and Asha were brought to the zoo from a circus in 1997. Anak was brought to the zoo from a zoo in Germany in 2014.

The elephants' habitat at Dublin Zoo is one of the best in the world.

It's a large, open space with plenty of room for them to roam and play. The habitat also has a pool where they can cool off in the summer. The elephants are very happy and healthy at Dublin Zoo.

They are all very different, but they have one thing in common: they love interacting with visitors. They are always happy to come up close and say hello, and they will often give you a little trunk wave.

If you're ever in Dublin, be sure to visit the elephants at Dublin Zoo. They're amazing creatures, and they're sure to leave a lasting impression on you.