Indian elephanats and their decorations skip parade
The elephants are sitting this one out.
The giant creatures have been a part of the India Republic Day parades every year since 1950. They’re decked out in jewels and are the stars of the show. But officials have decided to leave them out this year because of their “berserk” behavior.
I’m sorry, but I have to take the elephants’ side here. I’m not opposed to elephants being in the parade, but I do understand why they were acting “berserk,” as officials said. Hello! You’d go berserk too if you were Beadazzled and put on display. No one wants to be rhinestoned to death.
My guess is that somehow Indians will still celebrate their big holiday, with or without sparkling elephants.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Elephants help company go green
The winner of Co-op America’s 2008 Green Business Leader Award is poop. OK, maybe they aren’t poop, but they certainly use it.
The winner was Mr. Ellie Pooh, a New York company that sells stationary and such that’s partially made of Sri Lankan elephant poo. Of course. The products are 100 percent recycled – 25 percent recycled paper and 75 elephant poop.
The Green Business Leader Award is given to companies that encourages customers and other companies to work together to create a better world both socially and ecologically.
Green Business Program Director Denise Hamler released this statement: “We’re pleased to announce that green business peers awarded the prize this year to Mr. Ellie Pooh, which works towards resolving the elephant-human conflict in Sri Lanka to try and prevent more of the world population of Asian elephants from disappearing. This company’s green and sustainable aims and practices are truly a model for other corporations.”
Want to get your own Mr. Ellie Pooh products? There are two Oklahoma locations:
- - Oklahoma City Zoo.
- - Tulsa Zoo.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pet Show – Boz the dog
Listen to Pet Show! Dr. Phil Mosca of Integris Southwest brought his boxer, Boz, to talk to thet Pet Show crew about what it’s like to be a doc with a dog. Mosca adopted Boz from the Tulsa Boxer Rescue about a year ago. Mosca and Boz visit patients at least three times a week, and Box hangs out in Mosca’s office. Boz’s best trick: being in position for hugs. A video of Dr. Mosca and Box is on the way!
Also, Dawn gave us some great Tail Tips about how to prepare your pets for Independence Day. The long and short of it: keep your animals away from dangerous fireworks. Maybe it’s best to leave your pets at home when you go watch fireworks. Loud noises can be scary.
Bryan updated us with some interesting animal news this week:
- - The fate of three dogs abused in Tulsa is still being discussed.
- - A Dutch giraffe led a circus mutany.
- - Camel stink is protecting elephants and people in India.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Elephants head east
The elephants at the Oklahoma City Zoo traveled up the turnpike yesterday to move into their new home in Tulsa. (You can read about it, watch a video about it or listen to the discussion on our Pet Show podcast.)
One of the photos of the day made it into the paper, but I wanted to share all four pictures we had. All are taken by Gavin Elliott of Tulsa Zoo Friends.
Read about the elephant move – and why it’s vital to the captive Asian elephant population – at our special Web site, Elephant Nation.
- Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Pet Show – Racing and the Kentucky Derby
Listen to our Pet Show podcast! Our guest was Joe Lucas, president of the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma. Joe talked with us about the tragic death of Eight Belles at the Kentucky Derby last weekend. Joe gave a lot of good insight into the world of racing and answered our questions about horse safety and treatment.
Here are links to our news stories for the week:
- - The Louisiana State Penitentiary accidentally has an extra security guard: a black bear.
- - Elephants in India are enjoying a new retirement home just for them. (Want to know more about India elephants in Oklahoma? Go here.)
- - Comet is apparently the smartest goldfish in the world, his owner says.
- Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
