Laos has gifted two elephants to St. Petersburg, Russia, in celebration of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The announcement was made by Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

However, the elephants are unlikely to be immediately sent to St. Petersburg due to the Leningrad Zoo’s current inability to adequately house them.

The Leningrad Zoo lacks the necessary space and facilities to meet modern standards for keeping large animals like elephants. The zoo, located in the city center, occupies only 7.4 hectares and is part of the Alexander Park cultural heritage site, limiting the possibility of new construction.

Elephants require spacious enclosures with regulated humidity, temperature, and lighting, as well as large pools or reservoirs. They also need to be kept in groups of at least two or three, with separate enclosures for males and females.

The idea of a new zoo in Yuntolovo has been discussed for years, but the project has been stalled due to its high cost. While the concept for the new zoo is reportedly ready, funding remains a significant obstacle, pushing the start of construction further into the future.

Elephants have a long history in St. Petersburg, dating back to 1714 when the Persian Shah gifted one to the city. Over the years, elephants were periodically gifted and housed in various locations, including a menagerie near the Post Office and later in Tsarskoye Selo.

The Leningrad Zoo has also housed elephants at various times, with the first one arriving in 1868. However, the zoo’s ability to provide suitable conditions for elephants has been a recurring challenge.

Despite the current challenges, the gift of elephants from Laos underscores the strong diplomatic ties between the two countries. The future of the elephants in St. Petersburg remains uncertain, but efforts to improve zoo facilities and potentially build a new zoo could eventually pave the way for their arrival.