African elephants are like an elastic Gumby and Pokey(remember them?) and can get themselves in the most God awful predicaments. I note cracks starting in the "platform/stage" of this exhibit, similar to the flooring of the Odawara Castle elephant exhibit, yet given it's age it is remarkable durable.
The elephant on the left is Mara, who was apparently rescued from an Argentinean circus. Note her right front leg. Does anyone know how that injury may have occurred? Remarkably in 1905 the Buenos Aires Zoo produced a calf which survived for 3 years, and nothing since!!! Even more surprising in the modern age of keeping accurate records they currently have 3 elephants(two African and one Asian) of unknown origins, yet have recorded the father of the calf born in 05 as originating from Hagenbeck. He, Siam was euthanised in 1909 for being an "aggressive, mankiller," back before elephants only had accidents due to faulty exhibit design.
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