Pet Show Blog » elephants

Could elephant death happen here?

Carrie Coppernoll — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:57:47 +0000

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

Carrie Coppernoll — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:17:15 +0000

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

petblog — Sat, 22 May 2010 14:57:38 +0000

Pets in the paper – the new breeds in town

petblog — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:57:47 +0000

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.