TYLER, Texas —
Two San Diego Zoo elephants are calling Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, their new home.
The Caldwell Zoo welcomed two boys, Emanti and Mac, to their animal family.
The two elephants are originally from Africa. They weigh at about 5,000 pounds and are turning 9-years-old.
They have been working on getting the elephants to the Caldwell Zoo for over two years.
"We traveled to San Diego and spent some time out there," executive director at the Caldwell Zoo, Hayes Caldwell said. "Before the move a couple of our staff members went out there and spent a week with their staff and familiarize themselves with their training methods.”
San Diego Zoo supervisor says it took some training to get the elephants down to Texas.
“We had to train the two boys to get in the crate," supervisor at the San Diego Zoo, Curtis Lachman said. "We can't really approximate how long they're going to be in a crate type of thing.”
Members of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park along with the Caldwell Zoo accompanied the two elephants on the road for 33 hours. They were also followed by vets, trainers and park staff.
The two will now accompany Tonya. She has been with the zoo since the early 90s.
Tonya has been by herself since May after another elephant at the zoo died.
According to the zoo, Emanti and Mac are enjoying their new home and getting along with Tonya.
Members of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park will come check up on the boys, four times a year.