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Burma, the sole remaining elephant at Auckland Zoo - Source: ONE News -
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Auckland could soon be home to Australasia's only elephant herd, after the Auckland City Council gave the green light to a $13 million zoo extension.
The plan involves enlarging Auckland Zoo's existing elephant enclosure to six times its current size, which will see it branch into the adjoining Western Springs Park.
Auckland Zoo says that will allow for 10 new elephants from Sri Lanka to be housed in the premises.
The decision to expand comes after fears for the well-being the Zoo's sole remaining elephant, Burma, whose companion died a year ago.
Burma has been monitored 24 hours a day since then.
City councillors and animal rights groups have been vocal opponents of the upsize, with councillor Cathy Casey slamming the move.
"This is ridiculous, this is a ridiculous thing for us to be looking at," she said.
Animal rights campaigners SAFE have also expressed concern.
Spokesman Hans Kriek said the idea was going against normal trends, and that enclosures are not the way of the future.
"Zoos are actually moving away from keeping elephants in zoo enclosures, because it's not in their best interest. So we believe what Auckland Zoo's doing is a step backwards, not a step forwards," Kriek said.
But the Zoo's director, Jonathan Wilcken, said they were were well aware of what the elephants needed, and are adamant they can provide it.
Wilcken said bringing a herd over, instead of one companion, would improve Burma's living situation.
"I think it's to do with how we want to see Burma living," he said. "Elephants really ought to be living in a complicated social environment."
Some locals have also voiced their concerns, telling ONE News they knew nothing about the plan.
Public consultation on the project will be called for, before the end of the year.
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