But there is hope the new habitat will be the start of a brighter future for the zoo's elephants.

"This exhibit was built to eventually hold a male," said Mollindeo.

The zoo is, in fact, required to get a third elephant, one that will be breed with Mari and Vaigai. So maybe, in the future the new enclosure will also hold baby elephants as well.

The zoo is now working to bring in other endangered animals. The elephants' old exhibit will be then used to house Asian tapirs, animals which are related to rhinos and horses.