THREE of the world’s heaviest animals are getting on down to the sounds of heavy metal music at Worcestershire’s safari park.

The trunk rockers are African elephants Jack and Lataba, both aged 16, and Five, aged 17, who relax to the sounds of Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Status Quo and Metallica each morning.

Keeper Bob Lawrence at the West Midland Safari Park, Bewdley, says: “We have always played music to the elephants for about 10 years, but they are really calmed by the heavy rock tones. All three start looking around when we turn it off to see what is going on.

“They start to become agitated and start pacing up and down in the enclosure. We play it for around two hours in the morning while they are eating their diet of horse food, hay, fruit and vegetables.

“It goes on while we scrape all the mud off them and trim their nails if it is needed before we release them out into the safari park.”

He adds: “I’m really surprised that such a noise can instill such tranquillity. Maybe it reminds them of the noise of the jungle at home.”