SUTTON, an African Bull elephant, has now been "successfully integrated" into the UK's largest bachelor elephant habitat.

The team at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, based in Wraxall, North Somerset, has carried out a "phased and gradual" introduction of Sutton. Sutton was the first male elephant in the world to be born by artificial insemination, using semen from a wild bull.

At the start of May, Sutton transferred from West Midland Safari Park and joined 31-year-old Shaka and 17-year-old Janu at the zoo farm.

Posting on Facebook, a spokesperson from Noah's Ark Zoo Farm said: "Since the arrival of Sutton, our dedicated Elephant Keeper team has been following a phased and gradual introduction process.

"We are pleased to announce that all three elephants have now been successfully integrated."

Tom, head of elephants, said: "The introductions have been a great success, and we've observed lots of positive interactions. Janu has been especially supportive of little Sutton and the two have become inseparable."

Speaking before the transfer, Chris Wilkinson, curator at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, said: “As a young male elephant, Sutton’s migration away from the maternal herd replicates the next natural step in his development.

"In the wild, male elephants naturally group together with other solitary males to form bachelor groups. These bachelor groupings are essential for young bulls to learn social skills and new behaviours from the older males.

"The habitat at Noah’s Ark, including its 20-acre paddock and willow plantation, provides the perfect environment for Sutton to continue his development."

Head keeper of elephants at West Midland Safari Park, Andy Plumb, said: “With the wild population declining, African elephants face an uncertain future.

"Sutton’s move to Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm will enable him to continue his development and hopefully go on to become a successful breeding bull at another collection, further supporting and protecting the survival of elephants into the future.” 

Sutton's transfer is part of the EAZA Ex-Situ Programme (EEP), an international breeding programme for the endangered species. 

Larry Bush, managing director of Noah’s Ark, concluded: “Welcoming Sutton to our elephant herd not only allows us to support the vital conservation efforts of the International Breeding Programme, but also enables us to continue to educate our visitors and wider community about this majestic species and to inspire the next generation of conservationists.”