The two elephants, ages 48 and 51, are being transferred to a zoo in the Netherlands that specialised in caring for elderly elephants, essentially serving as a retirement and nursing home.

They will become part of a new herd of four, which is thought to be the optimal social structure for elder female elephants in their latter years, together with two other old ladies, Saba and Oinky.

"It was a very tough decision because Yhetto and Dhunja are part of the history of the zoo and are very popular, but for the geriatric care that these elephants are going to need for the remainder of their lives it's the correct decision," said Gerry Creighton of Global Elephant Care.

"It's gonna be like the Golden Girls retirement home, they'll do very well there. A life management plan will be put in place and they will get wonderful care from a specialist team."

In recent weeks, a number of unique events have been organised to give guests a chance to bid adieu to two of the zoo's most venerable and well-liked creatures.

But this marks the end of a period not just for Dhjuna and Hello, but also for the elephants at Belfast Zoo, which has been home to them since 1934.