LA Zoo Elephants Are Doing Fine

Musings is happy to report that Billy, Tina and Jewel appear to be living well in their new $42 Million enclosure.  There are no sores, wounds or any other indication that any health problems exist as well not having enough stimulation.  Musings arrived at the elephant exhibit ready and willing to create quite a ruckus if things did not appear as they should, but we gotta tell ya it's all good.
According to education presenters Lindsay Kelly and Larry Guarmett the information presented to the courts was old and out dated.  The ground is loose, the flooring in the new "barn" is heated and the elephants move around freely.  At night they may seek refuge in the barn or they may stay outside as they have been doing recently due to the heat of the days.
Guarmett added that Billy the Asian bull elephant has been at the LA Zoo for most of his life and if he returned to his natural habitat, he would more than likely fall victim to poachers or worse.  In addition, Guarmett informed us that the person that owns the "haven" for elephants, which is being promoted as a viable option to the zoo, is run by a former circus employee who would not be able to provide the services and care that the elephants need.
The elephants are offered "enrichments" throughout the day in the huge enclosure which includes bamboo shoots hidden behind water falls, to bags attached to structures that can be grabbed by their trunks and shook loose.  In the first picture Billy is munching on alfalfa that he had procured from such a bag, Billy is also fond of carrots.  The three Asian elephants at this exhibit seem very content and well tended to by "Vicky" the Elephant Manager who has worked with these pachyderms for the past 18 years.  Guarmett quoted her as saying "Nothing stands between me and my elephants."
Kelly informed Musings that the reason that the LA Zoo decided to go with Asian elephants for their exhibit was that Asian elephants are smaller, more docile and are more in danger of becoming extinct rather than the African elephants.  Musings knew that due to the extreme nature of African bull elephants , Asian elephants were a better choice, but did not know nor was aware of the fact that they are in danger of becoming extinct.
For those interested in seeing for yourselves that all is well with our pachyderm friends Billy, Tina and Jewel next Friday through Sunday ( August 3,4,5 ) would be a great time to explore their new habitat.
The event is labeled "Elephant Appreciation Days" and are offering an open house which will enabled one to look around the new barn that houses the elephants during their down times.  For Musings, seeing is believing and we are now believers.  
Musings will never completely forget about the outrage for poor Hannibal back in 1992, but at least the LA Zoo is working on a better future for their current residents.

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