Young elephants make a splash at Werribee Zoo

A pair of sprightly young elephants are making a huge splash at Werribee Open Range Zoo, showing off their cheeky side to families who pass through these school holidays.

The zoo has experienced a significant increase in visitor numbers since the arrival of nine elephants from Melbourne Zoo in February. 

Patronage has increased by 41 per cent, with a record 316,000 visitors passing through the gates.

READ MORE: Missing surfer, 19, found marooned on island 12km from shore

The elephants, particularly two-and-a-half-year-old sisters Kati and Aiyara, have become a major attraction during the school holiday period. 

The pair have been observed engaging in playful behaviour, using their trunks and interacting with each other. 

The elephant enclosure at Werribee spans 21 hectares, equivalent to the size of Melbourne Zoo or five Melbourne Cricket Grounds, allowing them to roam freely and engage in natural behaviours. 

There are also six distinct habitats for the elephants.

"If it does start to rain, they tend to jump on it and get doing their skin care routine, have a nice soak and then get in the sand and get all nice and covered, exfoliate it," zookeeper Phoebe Allen said.

Entry to Werribee Open Range Zoo is free for people aged under 16.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.