Elephants are social creatures. They need the presence of other
elephants. Starting in 2016, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums will
require room for three elephants if a zoo wants to retain AZA accreditation.
There are 20 or so "two-elephant zoos" in the United States. One such is
the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, where African elephants
Cinda and Stephanie have been together for 40 years. Unless the zoo is
expanded, they would have to move, possibly getting split up.
"They are like sisters, they came here when they were five feet tall and
grew up together," said Mike Quick, curator of mammals at the Sedgwick
County Zoo. "What would happen if one died? It would be traumatic."
A recent turn for the worse:
"Sedgwick County Zoo is sad to announce that Cinda, African elephant,
passed away the morning of November 5, 2014. The Sedgwick County Zoo
will continue to work on raising funds for the construction of the
Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley habitat, set to open in May of
2016. There is approximately $900,000 left to raise in the public campaign."
~~~~~
The situation in Topeka is not much better. The Topeka Zoo also has two
very aged elephants: Sunda, 54, an Asian elephant, and Tembo, 44, an
African elephant, inhabiting cramped quarters. Most places keep Asian
and African elephants apart, so if they were retired to a sanctuary,
these longstanding friends would probably have to be split up.
An expanded facility has been discussed, but even if approved, construction is projected to take five years, exceeding the animals' expected
remaining lifetime.
~~~~~
Reproduction requires, of course, bull elephants, but keeping bull
elephants is much more difficult. Much of routine elephant care is
hands-on: daily washing and scrubbing, foot care, etc. Cow elephants
become tame and acclimated to this. They learn to obey commands, and
even put on shows for the visitors. As a result, the zoo man in charge
of them is called an elephant "trainer".
Bull elephants, on the other hand, remain wild and dangerous, and must
be handled like any other wild animal, always separated from their
caretaker by heavy bars.
Still, there is at least some good news:
The Portland Zoo has a new 300 lb baby elephant. The mother is a
permanent resident of the zoo, while the father was obtained on loan
from an elephant rental company, "Have Trunk Will Travel".
~~~~~
Q. How can you tell you have two elephants in your refrigerator?
A. You can hear them giggling when the light goes out.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Three Things About Running
[Original, but the style imitates "Threes", by Mercedes Lackey]
Suburban Kansas City, early morning clear and cold,
A troupe of cars approaches as the sunrise turns to gold.
They come from all directions and in front of us converge.
They slowly fill the parking lot and passengers emerge.
Three things you can count on -- that the sun will always rise,
That someone else is faster, and your shoes will come untied.
These soldiers make no notice of the wind and ice and cold.
Their stride is firm and certain, and their countenances bold,
Each person has a smiling face, their talk is full of jest,
But each person looks determined, and prepared to do his best.
Three things never shrink from -- a cold wind upon your face,
An early morning wakeup, and the challenge of a race.
Each person walking toward us from the cars is brightly dressed,
With running shoes, and numbers safety-pinned upon their chest,
Some in shorts and singlets, though there's frost upon the ground,
Their thoughts are clearly elsewhere as the racers gather round.
Three things to get used to -- expensive running shoes,
Grown men wearing numbers, and the pounds you cannot lose.
Speakers have been set up, lively music starts to play,
People jogging to and fro, we'll soon be underway.
We gather at the starting line, the music becomes soft.
The whistle blows, the race clock starts, and suddenly we're off.
Three things to remember -- never jump the starting gun,
Never trip the guy behind you, never wonder where to run.
The first mile is completed, but you still have two in store,
The second mile is siimilar, you've run this race before.
The third mile makes you climb back where the other miles led down,
But the last leg to the finish lifts your feet up off the ground.
Three things to beware of -- running trails that lead nowhere,
Empty cups along the race course, guys who yell you're almost there.
The Finish Line is now in view, you hear the crowd's applause
Announcing the arrival of the runners as they cross.
The photog takes a picture, while the race clock shows your time.
You'll get a rousing cheer from those who beat you to the line!
Three things trust above all else -- the race director's fair,
A race course that's been certified, the timing chip you wear.
Suburban Kansas City, early morning clear and cold,
A troupe of cars approaches as the sunrise turns to gold.
They come from all directions and in front of us converge.
They slowly fill the parking lot and passengers emerge.
Three things you can count on -- that the sun will always rise,
That someone else is faster, and your shoes will come untied.
These soldiers make no notice of the wind and ice and cold.
Their stride is firm and certain, and their countenances bold,
Each person has a smiling face, their talk is full of jest,
But each person looks determined, and prepared to do his best.
Three things never shrink from -- a cold wind upon your face,
An early morning wakeup, and the challenge of a race.
Each person walking toward us from the cars is brightly dressed,
With running shoes, and numbers safety-pinned upon their chest,
Some in shorts and singlets, though there's frost upon the ground,
Their thoughts are clearly elsewhere as the racers gather round.
Three things to get used to -- expensive running shoes,
Grown men wearing numbers, and the pounds you cannot lose.
Speakers have been set up, lively music starts to play,
People jogging to and fro, we'll soon be underway.
We gather at the starting line, the music becomes soft.
The whistle blows, the race clock starts, and suddenly we're off.
Three things to remember -- never jump the starting gun,
Never trip the guy behind you, never wonder where to run.
The first mile is completed, but you still have two in store,
The second mile is siimilar, you've run this race before.
The third mile makes you climb back where the other miles led down,
But the last leg to the finish lifts your feet up off the ground.
Three things to beware of -- running trails that lead nowhere,
Empty cups along the race course, guys who yell you're almost there.
The Finish Line is now in view, you hear the crowd's applause
Announcing the arrival of the runners as they cross.
The photog takes a picture, while the race clock shows your time.
You'll get a rousing cheer from those who beat you to the line!
Three things trust above all else -- the race director's fair,
A race course that's been certified, the timing chip you wear.
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