Radza, above and the interior of the elephant building below.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Emmen Zoo euthanises elephant after fall
March 2,2009
A veterinarian at the Emmen Zoo has euthanised an elephant which fell into a ditch on Sunday. The 45-year-old Annabel, the Dutch zoo's oldest elephant, fell into the dry ditch that surrounds the elephant compound at 4.00 pm on Sunday. She landed on her side and was unable to climb back out by herself.
A breakdown truck was called to lift her out of the ditch, but her rescuers couldn't get her to stand up again. A vet said she had gone into a state of shock and decided to euthanise her.
Although elephants regularly fall into the ditch surrounding their compound at the Emmen zoo, nearly all of them are able to climb back out by themselves.
Annabel in 2003Courtesy of Mark Rosenthal
CARDIOLOGIST'S FUNERAL
A cardiologist died and was given an elaborate funeral. A huge heart covered in flowers stood behind the casket during the service. Following the eulogy, the heart opened, and the casket rolled inside. The heart then closed, sealing the doctor in the beautiful heart forever. At that point, one of the mourners burst into laughter. When all eyes stared at him, he said, "I'm sorry, I was just thinking of my own funeral.........I'm a gynecologist." (…at that point, the proctologist fainted…) Courtesy of John Goodall
"Gajarajan" Guruvayoor Kesavan (1904-1976)????
Zoological Historian Richard Reynolds sent the above picture taken in 1946 of American elephant trainer Louie Reed, on the right with the white jacket on a trip to India in which the immortal Tommy/King Tusk was purchased. RJR speculates on whether the elephant above may be Guruvayoor Kesavan pictured below? It is hard to tell because the only pictures I have of Kesavan, and the only ones I can find online are of an older elephant who has started to sink in the side of the head as older elephants will. It also appears to me that Kesavan was a taller, more long legged elephant then the one above. Again given his age on any photos available, it is hard to tell. 
I have the picture below in my collection of an elephant named Nanu Ezhuthasan Srinivasan. Looking at the pigment that he is starting to lose around his eye, and the diameter of his tusks at the base, he looks to me like an elephant who may have grown up to be the one pictured at the top in 1946. Does anyone else have any thoughts? Or access to any pictures of a young Guruvayoor Kesavan? I mentioned to RJR that he and I spend as much time wondering about the name's of long dead animals, as young Thomas Bohner does wondering about the names of animals in somebody cage act. In all fairness, I should not give Thomas a hard time for that. LOL Any of you animal folk's will know of the sickness of which I speak. LOL
Is a mature male Asian elephant not the most Godlike, humbleing creature you will ever see?
Famous Temple Elephants From The Past
GURUVAYOOR KESHAVAN
ARANMULA RAGHUNADHAN
SHANKARAMKULANGARA GANGADHARAN
PARAMEKAVU PARAMESHWARAN
SHANKARAMKULAMGARA AYYAPAN KUTTY
"Gajarajan" Guruvayoor Kesavan (1904-1976)
"Gajarajan" Guruvayoor Kesavan (1904-1976) was perhaps the most famous and celebrated elephant in Kerala, south India. Kesavan was donated to the Guruvayoor temple by the royal family of Nilambur in 1916 when he was about 10 years old. He was 3.2 metres tall. Kesavan was conferred the title "Gajarajan" (King of elephants), a title bestowed by Guruvayoor Devaswom for the first time on elephants. 
The tusks of Guruvayoor Kesavan are displayed in front of the Guruvayoor Temple.
Statue of Guruvayoor Kesavan in front of the guest house of the Guruvayoor Temple. He is the only elephant in the world to have a life size statue in his honor. This memorial is worshiped each year during the Ekadasi Festival
Homage being paid to Guruvayoor Kesavan on the anniversary of his death, Dec. 2, 1976. All Temple Elephants in Kerala are brought together on that day to the temple.
Cagey zoo officials tarnish reputation--Sometimes it is better to shoot your Spokesman!!!!
Calgary Herald--Feb. 8, 2009
The Calgary Zoo is a beloved urban treasure that draws thousands of visitors each year. It offers popular programs for all ages –whether it’s storytelling, a behind-the-scenes with Siberian tigers or the upcoming Valentines with Gorillas.
But recent monkeying around regarding the facts behind the death of its 41 cow nose rays tarnishes this jewel. This latest controversy will cause harm to its once well-earned reputation.
The zoo made a significant error in judgment by issuing a statement last fall saying the real cause of the rays’ deaths may never be known.
In fact, it was human error that led to a lack of oxygen in the tanks, and the subsequent suffocation of all rays in the exhibit. Zoo officials now say they knew the probable cause as early as November.
They should have disclosed it immediately. Yes, they might have taken an initial hit to their image, but it would have been better than a lasting blow to their credibility. “I think we need to be very frank here,” zoo president Clement Lanthier told reporters this week. “Our main expertise is not in fish at the Calgary Zoo.”
That’s a shocking admission that raises all kinds of uncomfortable questions. What other exhibits are being hosted without the necessary knowledge?
Everyone can understand human error, and the personable zoo keepers are among the best trainers, zoologists and vets in the world. When tragedy happens, they are the first to mourn.
What’s important is to disclose mistakes immediately and ensure they’re not repeated.
Officials need to learn that lesson and start the long process of rebuilding trust with the community following the recent tragedies in recent months that have seen a large, wild goat die after becoming entangled in a play toy and the death of a hippo while in transit from another zoo.
That’s their best hope of winning back public confidence.
Columbus Zoo's Elephant Breeding Program
Is Coco the largest male elephant in North America? He sure is a homely male elephant, not near the beauty Thai from Houston is. Thai has the most beautiful thin, sail like ears. I would have loved to have seen a baby out of Gypsy by Thai. It would have been a breathtaking beautiful baby. Surely Temple Elephant quality.
Phoebe and Badhi, I believe her last calf.
Cirque Municipal, Reims.
Photo courtesy of John Cooper
Not too long ago, the Great Burck posted a photo of the Cirque Medrano building in Paris, asking if it still existed - which it doesn't, the site (opposite The Moulin Rouge nightclub) being occupied by an apartment block these days. In his comment Raffaele de Ritis advised that circus buildings other than Cirque d'Hiver did exist.
Le Cirque Municipal in Reims came into being in 1902 and has been the city's venue for Cirque Educatif (on which I reported in January) since 1982, save for 1983 and 1984 when performances took place in a big top in a local park. I presume this was because the building was being refurbished.
Internally, facilities for sound and lighting are up to date and the seating (I estimate capacity at around 800) is comfortable. Dressing rooms are modern though not particularly spacious, artistes returning to their trailers between shows.
There is little room for props within the building, so for Educatif a tent is erected just outside the back door. Likewise there is no stabling, so animals are kept outside, mostly in the same area as the performers' accommodation. That said, in separate years the tigers of Daniel Suskow and Duo Borcani's sealions have been quartered closer to the building itself.
Photo courtesy of John CooperThe prop elephant is not a regular feature, its presence owing to the fact that the 2005 bill included Adriana Folco's elephant, Baby. "Mate, did it include a tiger when Daniel Suskow was there, or a sea lion when Borcani was there? What kind of "cute and charming" bias is that"
Photo Courtesy of Vincent Manero Cirque Municipal is located quite close to the city centre, and near to the 12th century cathedral. Roughly a 10 minute walk from the main railway station. As far as I am aware, these days it serves its intended purpose only for Educatif,, the more regular touring shows playing under canvas at Parc Des Expositions less centrally.
Another purpose-built building is Cirque Jules Verne (named after the author of "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea") at Amiens. Only once have I seen this edifice, and that merely by chance, travelling through the night from Paris to London by coach, when we collected some passengers in the city. The glorious structure was bathed in floodlights, and I certainly want to have another look at it when I'm less drowsy. Although it is in a built-up area, there is a lot of open space around it, doubtless used for parking. Cirque Arlette Gruss (one of France's biggest circuses) pays a visit almost every year, usually in November, playing inside the building. A definite entry on my wish list, although it's a show I will be happy to see anywhere, any time.
Courtesy of John Cooper
Courtesy of John Cooper
Chris Baltrop's Dog's
I want any of you elephant men to watch this tape at 2:34 and tell me what that is on the Asian cow's left hip. Also watch at 2:40 at the "dog" made to hold the whip, "which isn't used", but instead kept close at hand. Note at the very end what appears to be a quirt in his hand. One of the most severe type of whips there is.
http://snackfeed.com/videos/detail/19fad20e-56a6-102c-a525-00304897c9c6/Circus-elephants-back-in-the-UK?_s=s
Courtesy of Mike Naughton
New Birth Awaited at the Columbus Zoo
Phoebe and Bodhi
Columbus Dispatch
March 1, 2009
Think your pregnancy was tough?
Imagine it lasting 22 months and ending with the delivery of a 300-pound baby.
That's the reality for Phoebe, the Asian elephant who's about to deliver her second calf at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
But although the gestation period is long and the baby huge, Phoebe's not unlike pregnant humans in many ways.
She has gained a bit too much weight, for one thing, said assistant curator Harry Peachey, who is in charge of the elephants. About 500 to 600 pounds would be optimal; she has packed on about 750.
Her blood was tested weekly, then every other day. Soon, it will be tested every day to check her progesterone level.
Doctors peek at the baby through ultrasounds at least once a week, gelling up Phoebe's belly to get a glimpse of a baby trunk, a clear heartbeat and maybe a rib or two. The baby's too big for doctors to see the whole package at once.
To keep her well-toned for the birth, Phoebe's on an exercise regimen - mostly walking - with keepers.
"We're all on pins and needles about the birth," said zoo veterinarian Michael Barrie. If all goes well, Phoebe's baby will be the second live elephant born in the zoo's history.
Peachey said that only a handful of Asian elephants are born in North American zoos each year, and sometimes none at all. About a third die before age 10. So each birth causes quite a stir.
"We've already started getting e-mails from people who want to know when she's delivering," Peachey said late last week as Phoebe strolled around her indoor living area.
"People are fascinated with elephants."
As soon as Phoebe's progesterone reaches a certain level, she'll be on a "mommy cam" so volunteers can watch her behavior 24 hours a day and alert keepers if they see signs of labor such as leg-stretching, lying down and getting up, lifting her tail and swatting her rear legs with her trunk.
When veterinarians think delivery is a few days away, Peachey and several other keepers will start sleeping just outside the elephant quarters.
"We're fairly certain the birth will be in the early morning," Peachey said. Usually, it happens between 2 and 4 a.m., he said. And it's usually quick: her hard labor with calf Bohdi, born in 2004, was only 20 minutes.
This calf will be the third for Phoebe, who was born in 1987; she had her first at another zoo. Bohdi also is still at the Columbus zoo, as is his father, Coco.
"She's young and healthy; we can expect this birth to go the same as the others," Peachey said. "It might very well be that we could leave her and come back, and there would be a baby, but that would be irresponsible of us."
Phoebe will stand as she delivers. The calf will drop onto the floor, and keepers will remove it briefly to check its vital signs. Then, after making sure Phoebe is calm, they'll return the newborn and watch to make sure it nurses and can stand.
If all is well, baby and mom will be back in their regular home about a week later, and both will be visible part of the day to visitors.
Peachey expects plenty of them.
Courtesy of Joey Ratliff
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
