Behind the scenes at an elephant pool party!

The warmer weather has started to arrive - and with it comes the first opportunity of the year for a nice refreshing dip for the Asian elephants!

Females Yu-Zin, Chandrika, Damini and Tarli enjoyed their first swim of the summer earlier this month, followed by a nice long dust bath.

As part of their enrichment the female elephants at the Park have the opportunity to roam around 500 acres of private woodland in the Woburn estate, with the tranquil area around Drakeloe Lake becoming their own private swimming pool during warmer months.

They use their long, powerful trunks as snorkels to dive into the water for a cooling dip, and then later to distribute dust and dirt over their body as a natural way to keep the skin healthy.

On their walks the elephants can cover up to five miles in a day - stopping along to way to carry out a variety of natural behaviours, like grazing on living browse and dust bathing - so a relaxing swim is a perfect way to recover any tired legs!

See the elephants for yourself...

Although it's not possible for visitors to see the elephants enjoying a private dip in Drakeloe Lake, you can spot them in their Road Safari paddocks alongside the re-entry route.  You can see them on your left as you drive into the repeat circuit.