Could elephant death happen here?
Earlier this month, an African elephant at the San Diego Zoo died of injuries her keepers suspect came from an aggressive attack by another elephant. Such a startling tragedy raises the question, “Could this happen here?” The Oklahoma City Zoo is home to two adult Asian elephants and one offspring, shown here at right. I asked the OKC Zoo spokeswoman, Tara Henson, if it was possible. She checked with Assistant Zoo Director Alan Varsik. Here’s what she said:
In domestic or wild animals…this could happen. It’s a day to day, ongoing process to maximize our chances for success in any social situation. In any accredited zoo, we are concerned about the physical and social well-being of all of the animals in our care. Interpreting their behaviors and looking for any indications of a behavioral issue is a constant. Any species in a social situation presents this challenge. This is on a case by case basis according to the species as well as the individual animals. Individual and species specific behaviors must be taken into consideration. There is a level of unpredictability in anything we do and we try to minimize that.
Pumpkin eating at the Oklahoma City Zoo
For the next two weekends, animals at the Oklahoma City Zoo will enjoy some Halloween-themed treats. It’s free to check out these animal feedings with admission. The pumpkin chompin’ will be Saturdays and Sundays. Here’s the schedule:
SATURDAYS:
10:30 a.m. African Wild Dogs (Wild Dog Drive)
11:00 a.m. Children’s Zoo (Barnyard)
1:15 p.m. Elephant Behavioral Presentation (Elephant Pavilion)
1:30 p.m. Andean Condor & Harpy Eagle (across from picnic pavilions)
1:30 p.m. Great Apes (Great EscApe Building)
2:00 p.m. Upper Aquarium (Noble Aquatic Center)
2:30 p.m. River Otters (Oklahoma Trails)
3:00 p.m. Grizzly Bears (Oklahoma Trails)
3:00 p.m. Sea Lion Habitat (Noble Aquatic Center)
3:30 p.m. Indian Rhino
4:00 p.m. Alligators (Oklahoma Trails)
SUNDAYS:
10:30 a.m. Giraffes
11:00 a.m. Children’s Zoo (Underground)
11:30 a.m. Galapagos Tortoise (Island Life)
1:15 p.m. Elephant Behavioral Presentation (Elephant Pavilion)
1:30 p.m. Andean Condor & Harpy Eagle (across from picnic pavilions)
1:30 p.m. Great Apes (Great EscApe Building)
2:00 p.m. Lower Aquarium (Noble Aquatic Center)
2:30 p.m. River Otters (Oklahoma Trails)
3:00 p.m. Grizzly Bears (Oklahoma Trails)
3:00 p.m. Sea Lion Habitat (Noble Aquatic Center)
3:30 p.m. Indian Rhino
4:00 p.m. Turkey Vulture (Oklahoma Trails Aviary)
Baby elephant debutes in Houston
Pets in the paper – the new breeds in town
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman since Saturday -
- Three new breeds to be shown at Westminster. (New York)
- Zoo takes confiscated elephant. (Ohio)
- Pilot whales euthanized. (New Zealand)
- Blog: Pedigree joins Carrie Underwood.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – where’s Santa?
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Made in Oklahoma: Barking Dog Bakery. (Oklahoma City)
- Pet Tales: Canine helpers assist in finding Santa Claus. (Oklahoma City)
- Whale of a deal. (California)
- Dogs get new homes. (California, page 4a)
- Woman, daughter killed by elephant. (Kenya)
- Dog-training difficulties unleashed in new list. (nationwide)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – food and yoga
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman since Saturday -
- Zoo’s new elephant habitat to house expectant mother. (Oklahoma City)
- Instructor offers way to help animals. (Oklahoma City)
- City’s six-day horse show keeps eyes on ranking prize. (Oklahoma City)
- Safari park adds new tiger, center. (Tuttle)
- Nature loves flock to state’s salt plaines. (Great Salt Plaines)
- Pony Express to celebrate anniversary in re-enactment. (Missouri)
- Tortoises highlight disputes in energy. (California)
- Slithery pets are rescued. (Utah)
- “Best Job” winner stung by dangerous jellyfish. (Australia)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – kind man saves kitty
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Pet Tales: Rescued kitten dodges disaster. (Perry)
- Giraffe lived to be 24. (Alabama)
- Sea lions enchant tourists but baffle marine experts. (California)
- Circus company wins judge’s favor in elephant case. (Washington, D.C.)
- Snoopy pop culture’s top dog. (nationwide)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – elephant lovin’
Check out these animal stories in the paper since Saturday -
- Zoos expect baby elephant in 2011. (Oklahoma City and Tulsa)
- Smiles reign on all faces at celebrity reining event. (Oklahoma City)
- Wilderness still exists where elk can run free. (Lawton)
- Wounded giraffe dies during tests. (Tulsa)
- Airport opens park for dogs. (Georgia)
- Many call wolf recovery a failure. (New Mexico)
- Town now mourns horse barn fire deaths. (Ohio)
- National Zoo panda to leave for China. (Washington, D.C., page 6a, Monday)
- Bird may be put on threatened list. (nationwide, page 14b, Sunday)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – a zoo-y Christmas
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- City zoo gets into holiday spirit. (Oklahoma City)
- Two jailed in smuggling. (Thailand)
Staff Writer Carrie coppernoll
That’s one giant prosthetic
Motala the elephant lost her left front foot and most of her leg after stepping on a land mine in 1999 near the border of Thailand and Burma.
Now she is walking again thanks to a specially made prosthesis that is noticeably larger than your average artificial leg.
Apparently she’s still getting used the the prosthesis but is doing fine after it was permanently fitted to her during a procedure that required enough anesthetic to knock out 70 people. The 48-year-old Indian elephant is walking around but hasn’t put all her weight on the prosthesis yet.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
