Official brief Erna returns to the herd Who is Erna? Erna is a special, charismatic, and strong cow (female elephant) who is the herd leader of our African elephants in Warsaw ZOO. Unfortunately, on the 7th of March 2020, her heart stopped beating and she passed away. Erna was a psychologically strong cow, full of experiences. She became an orphan calf during a culling event in Zimbabwe and ended up in a ZOO in Holland, where her physical and character strengths had a positive influence on the relations between the herd and the people. Following an unfortunate accident at work with Erna, which resulted in the passing away of her keeper, she was isolated to live in loneliness. In 2009, she arrived in Warsaw, to meet new people who could understand her and help her build a new herd. Erna became a wonderful leader – she was caring for Buba (the elephant lowest in the hierarchy), firm with the defiant Fryderyka, and she determined clear rules for the maturing Leon. She cooperated with the keepers according to her own rules, which the Anna Tadra Marketing Department keepers respected. Erna - an expressive personality, an amazing elephant, the [email protected] +48 789 225 983 largest Warsaw citizen – a symbol of composure, wisdom and majesty. zoo.waw.pl . Marek Lorent-Kamiński Marketing Department [email protected] +48 602 667 407 sygnis.pl Official brief What is Project Erna? It is a pioneering project, as so far, no place in Poland has tried to 3D print such a large object based on authentic bone scans. The project assumes to use the newest forms of technology, in order to aid education topics of complicated relations and social bonding amongst African elephants. This species is in danger of extinction and the Warsaw ZOO is fighting for their survival. But the most important aspect is that, Erna will return to the herd. Numerous workshops, competitions, 3D printing presentations, movies and event recordings will occur alongside the main project. The mission and role of Warsaw ZOO The main mission of our zoological garden is to carry out integrated nature preservation to ensure longer species survival. We base this on 5 principles: breeding, education, science, rehabilitation, and recreation. Protecting nature is important in saving our shared world, for both people and animals. Our passion, knowledge and experience are used in the fight to save endangered species. Through completing the above project and recreating the skeleton of Erna the elephant we wish to: spread knowledge of nature, through the use of newest technology; increase the knowledge of endangered species and the role of zoological gardens in our present world; and call attention to the problem of mass extinction of animals in the natural environment. How are the other elephants feeling after losing their leader? Buba and Fryderyka spent the whole night by Erna’s dead body. The keepers Honorary Patronage: let them say their goodbyes, as it is important to respect elephant social behaviours. Till this day, the herd is struggling in a world without Erna. They must relearn their relationships between each other and the surrounding without their leader’s support. What will we do now? We will scan every bone in Erna’s skeleton and print them out using 3D printing. We will then assemble the printed skeleton and place it in the Elephant House. Erna will therefore return to the place she considered home, where she was understood and where she found peace and a family..