The Circus "NO SPIN ZONE": 03/28/12

Speaking Of "protected contact....."

HYDERABAD: Shedding three years of chained and rogue existence, Vijay is out for a stroll among visitors at Nehru Zoological Park these days. The rogue elephant which was chained and confined to a rather solitary existence after it went berserk, has finally fallen in line and not only it is taking commands but also moving around freely and comfortably.

It took two mahouts who have been brought in from the Top Slip elephant camp of Tamil Nadu to tame the elephant and make it behave normal. “I was moved by the plight of the animal and there were several representations from animal lovers too. So, we sought the assistance of mahouts who worked for last one month on the elephant,” says zoo director K. Bhoopal Reddy.

Tranquilized

It was almost three years back when Vijay went violent and out of control and started damaging enclosure and surrounding structures. None was injured as it was night time and no visitors were around.

The elephant was immediately tranquilised and kept in fetters since then which left some injuries on the legs. After it went rogue, Vijay forgot commands and the habit of obeying them. “Slowly, it was made to recollect the commands and now behaves like any other tamed one in the zoo,” he says.

Initially, the elephant was allowed to take a stroll in the mornings and evenings when there were no visitors and also on two Mondays when the zoo was closed for holiday. Now, it obeys commands to kneel, salute and move and halt and after careful watch, the authorities started bringing it out from the enclosure amid the visitors.

The zoo staff which was scared to even move in its proximity given the violent behaviour, have now started treating it like other elephants.

“It is even allowing the mahout to sit on it and moving comfortably among crowds. Its shackles are gone and it is free now,” Mr. Reddy informs.

'I wonder how many zoology/biology degree's the two mahouts from the Top Slip elephant camp have? Do you now understand why AZA has mandated "protected contact" for all it's member zoo's. It had nothing to do with right or wrong, safe or unsafe. It had everything to do with no qualified individuals to handle them. When they found themselves suddenly in "the elephants space" whacking them upside the head with a degree was ineffective and "accident's" occurred more frequently.'

Albino Buffalo Calf--Kenya's Hellsgate National Park

Apr 2009

The three-month-old calf is easily distinguished from the other buffaloes traveling with it in a large herd by its very light brown coat.

It has only just been spotted, months after its birth, because its herd was largely confined to obscure, shaded areas to mitigate against recent drought conditions.

Nelly Palmeris, senior warden at Hellsgate, said the find was an exciting one.

"This is the first time that an albino buffalo has been found in our parks and it's a great day for nature and animals lovers," she said.

But there are also concerns for the young creature, whose lighter colour will make it a more noticeable target for predators.

The cultural stigma against albinos, both animal and human, among the Maasai farmers that live near the park, could also create a threat.

"The African community and especially Maasais associate albinos with bad omens. We are just coming from a bad drought and the Maasai might associate the famine with this buffalo and kill it," Mrs Palmeris said.

She said that rangers have enhanced security around the herd to ensure the Maasai do not attack the calf.

While the rare sighting is a first for Kenya, albino buffaloes have been spotted in several other countries.

'I question whether this is an "albino." It look's similarly colored like a champagne lion.'

For Jim Stockley

Detroit, Mich. 1893

We have discussed in the past the popularity of the name "Wallace" for a ferocious,untamed, man killing lion back in the day. I don't know what show this is, but either they misspelled "Wallace" making it instead "Wallack" or it was their effort not to copy someone else, odd because it was never much of an effort in the world of show business.

Zebus AKA Sacred Cattle

Franklin Park Zoo 1923

On an interesting side note, note these unique halters on the zebra foal's. They appear to be hand made, and I have noted similar halter's on zebra's from the Hagenbeck Zoo or zebra's that Hagenbeck's people had a hand in training. Horse halter's are the norm for trained zebra's today, and I have often wondered why they weren't used "back in the day." Possibly these "hand made" halter's caused less chaffing or rubbing. Uniquely these appear to properly put a direct pressure on the animals poll, instead of indirect pressure under the jaw as a horse halter does, and the lead rope stay's attached. Could Hagenbeck have come up with the worlds first "be kind" halter long, long before they became all the rage in the late 80's early 90's with the arrival of "horse whisperers?"