Tennoji Zoo Elephants--Osaka, Japan

You will note the elephant in the clip below has a scar on her lift hip. It is amazing that folks usually right away assume it is an old wound inflicted by an elephant hook. Do you suppose it may have been caused by rubbing or scratching against something much like in the photo above. Could the elephant have been trying to relieve an itch at some point? The other thing you will note in this video is the "sterotypical" weaving. Ask any lay person why the elephant does that, and 99% will reply, "they must have been confiscated from a circus," because all of them do that because the are in captivity and want to be free to roam around." In their mind, it is something caused by abuse or mistreatment on the part of humans who have enslaved them. Why can it not be caused by anticipation of something pleasure coming you way, or just an effort to be comfortable, and not stand like a statue or soldier at attention? When we sit on the couch watching a football game or a good movie, do we not cross and un cross our legs? Do we not shift and move to different positions, and cross and uncross our arms? Are we unhappy, and longing for freedom? Note people standing in line at a Chinese buffet, or a movie theatre. Do they not shift, move, weave, and rock or do they stand like an inanimate object? Are they unhappy, and longing for freedom, or are they anticipating the pleasurable experience awaitng them? Note people standing in line at the unemployment office, or a child in line to be vacinated. Are they not shifting, moving, weaving, rocking? Are they unhappy, and longing for freedom, or are they anticipating the unpleasureable experience awaiting them and are nervous? Pick the human emotion you want, to fit the scenario as you see fit.

Old Elephant in Japanese zoo gets presents on Respect-for-the-Aged Day

Haruko the elderly elephant at Tennoji Zoo in Osaka received a watermelon and some sweet potatoes as presents on the Monday, September 21st in conjunction with the Japanese national holiday called Keiro-no-hi, or respect for the aged day.

The zoo held the event in celebration of Haruko’s long life. In front of a crowd of cheering elementary school students, she was given a watermelon which she promptly broke open with her front right foot and started eating. She was also presented with sweet potatoes that had been home-grown in a vegetable garden within the park using fertilizer made from her own dung. 10-year old Rikako Tonnna advised the elephant to, “Eat lots of food and keep living a long time!”

About Haruko the elephant

Haruko, a female Asian elephant who is believed to have been born in 1948 in Thailand, was sent to Japan in 1950. Beyond being blind in one eye, Haruko is said to be in good health and have a strong appetite according to the zoo. At the age 61, some estimate she would be over 80 in human years. Asian elephants are endangered and can live to be up to 60 years old in the wild according to National Geographic.

Haruko is the second oldest elephant in Japan according to a report from Osaka’s Dainichi Newspaper. Haruko’s zoo keeper of 17 years, Toshihiro Nishida, told a crowd of spectators the he believes the secret to her longevity is “eating natural foods at set times, three times a day.” He also wished every a long life like Haruko.

About Tennoji Zoo

Tennoji Zoo, located in Tennoji Public Park, Osaka, was first opened in 1915 and was Japan’s third zoo.