Whipsnade's new arrival is jumbo-sized

© Dunstable Gazette

Karishma arrived this month from Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire, where she was born and raised.

Now aged eight, the female elephant is ready for breeding and it is hoped she will soon mate with the herd’s male elephant Emmett.

This will further boost Whipsnade’s acclaimed international breeding programme for this endangered species.

Keepers say Karishma is settling in extremely well with the rest of the herd, which includes fellow females Kaylee, Azizah, Maya and Lucha and youngsters Euan and Anneena.

_{Image copywrite: Joanna Cross, Dunstable Gazette}