L.A. Zoo elephants Billy and Tina are making a big move to live with their own kind

Introduction to the Relocation of L.A. Zoo Elephants

After years of debate over the welfare of the animals, the Los Angeles Zoo announced that it will relocate its two remaining Asian elephants to a newly expanded preserve at the Tulsa Zoo.

The elephants — 40-year-old Billy and 59-year-old Tina — will be moved to the Elephant Experience and Preserve in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Zoo officials said the decision was made with the animals’ care and well-being as the top priority, and the relocation “will afford them the opportunity to live among other elephants.”

Reason for the Move

“The decision is driven by the L.A. Zoo’s unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of all the animals in its care,” according to a statement from the zoo. “Following the move, the Zoo will pause its elephant program for the immediate future. The Zoo will continue to support Asian elephant conservation programs, and the Elephants of Asia exhibit will be reimagined for other suitable species and programming.”

The New Home for Billy and Tina

The facility at the Tulsa Zoo is currently home to five Asian elephants. The preserve covers 17 acres, including a 36,650-square-foot elephant barn and a 10-plus-acre wooded elephant preserve.

• Asian elephant Tina is seen at the L.A. Zoo. (Photo by Jamie Pham/Courtesy of the L.A. Zoo)

• Asian elephant Billy is seen at the L.A. Zoo. (Photo by Jamie Pham/Courtesy of the L.A. Zoo)

• Asian elephant Tina is seen at the L.A. Zoo. (Photo byTad Motoyama/Courtesy of the L.A. Zoo)

• Billy an Asian bull elephant who has lived at the LA Zoo for more than 30 years is seen on Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

• Billy, an Asian bull elephant who has lived at the LA Zoo for more than 30 years, is seen on Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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Asian elephant Tina is seen at the L.A. Zoo. (Photo by Jamie Pham/Courtesy of the L.A. Zoo)

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Previous Evaluations and Elephant Care

Zoo officials said they have been evaluating the elephant exhibit since the deaths of two other elephants — Jewel, age 61, in 2023, and Shaunzi, age 53, in 2024 — although they said those animals were in “declining health due to issues unrelated to the zoo’s enclosure or care.”

The Move and Its Benefits

The move “will allow Billy and Tina to continue receiving exceptional care with opportunities to integrate with a larger herd,” according to the zoo. A date for the elephants to be moved has not been set.

Conclusion

The relocation of Billy and Tina to the Tulsa Zoo’s Elephant Experience and Preserve marks a significant step in ensuring the well-being of these magnificent creatures. By providing them with a larger space and the opportunity to live among their own kind, the L.A. Zoo is prioritizing their health and happiness. As the zoo pauses its elephant program and reimagines the Elephants of Asia exhibit, it’s clear that the commitment to animal welfare remains strong.

FAQs

• Q: Where are Billy and Tina being relocated to?
  A: They are being moved to the Elephant Experience and Preserve at the Tulsa Zoo in Oklahoma.
• Q: Why are Billy and Tina being relocated?
  A: The relocation is driven by the L.A. Zoo’s commitment to the health and well-being of the animals, providing them with the opportunity to live among other elephants.
• Q: What will happen to the Elephants of Asia exhibit at the L.A. Zoo?
  A: The exhibit will be reimagined for other suitable species and programming after the relocation of Billy and Tina.
• Q: When will the move take place?
  A: A date for the move has not been set.
  Originally Published: April 22, 2025 at 3:27 PM PDT