Bull Asian elephant Chawang – Night Safari’s latest iconic animal

The largest and heaviest animal in Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, Chawang, is now on display. Seen in his new habitat that would only be visible via tram, Chawang’s new enclosure comprises a spacious 2,200 square-metre area that includes an exercise yard and a den.

Chawang is one of the few crossed tuskers on display in a Zoo and boasts tusks which are close to 1.2 metres long. This majestic tusker currently stands at close to 3 metres tall and weighs a whopping 3,480kg.

About Chawang
Born in 1977, Chawang arrived in Singapore Zoo on 27 Dec 1983 from Malacca Zoo together with Jamilah, a female elephant. He underwent retraining and reconditioning after injuring his keeper while he was in musth back in 2001. Male elephants have heightened testosterone levels when in musth and tend to more aggressive than usual.

Chawang has been known to be “popular with the ladies”, having sired three elephants – the youngest, Sang Wira, a young bull at five years old is now housed at Night Safari. Chawang even has a favourite ‘girlfriend’, Jati the Asian elephant, who is at the Singapore Zoo. Night Safari hopes that Chawang can be involved in breeding more of the endangered Asian elephants.

Chawang has recently been adopted by Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, a leading producer of beer and spirits in Thailand.