LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - It was a moving moment caught on camera.

Asian elephant Punch reached through their enclosure to give a comforting touch to African elephant Mikki, her roommate of 38 years.

The two had just been reunited after a tense journey, transporting each of them from the Louisville Zoo to their new home, The Elephant Sanctuary , in Tennessee.

It is 3,000 acres of refuge, where Punch and Mikki will roam in peace and safety with 12 other aging elephants.

“They’re both past middle age at this point,” Louisville Zoo Director Dan Maloney said, “and we also looked what is it that we want to say about us as an institution as we look to put the animals’ welfare and well-being front and center.”

Punch lived at the Louisville Zoo for 53 years.

Mikki had been there 38 years.

See Full Page