Zookeepers help star elephant overcome disability
Beijing: Undeterred by the scorching morning heat, an eager crowd encircled the leafy elephant enclosure at Zhengzhou Zoo in the capital of Henan province, craning their necks and hoping to snap photos.
The lone star of the scene was an ageing Asian bull elephant named Babu.
The average life span of elephants is about 50 to 70 years, and Babu, age 40 and weighing four metric tonnes, was about to eat brunch.
Unlike other Asian elephants who are able to put food in their mouths by wielding their trunks, Babu has to begin by bending both his forelegs slightly forward, placing food between his short trunk and right foreleg, and then slowly lifting the food up high by gently curling his trunk before putting the food into his mouth.
“A part of the elephant’s trunk is missing,” exclaimed a young visitor.
After living in Zhengzhou for 30 years, Babu has become a superstar at the zoo.
Twenty-two years ago, he injured his trunk when he was trying to impress a female by shaking an iron fence.
The accident resulted in more than 40cm of his trunk being amputated.
Yin Lei, who is in charge of the elephant enclosure at the zoo, said the trunk is essential for elephants.
“It’s the animal’s most versatile and indispensable tool, used for eating, communicating, touching, grasping, bathing and fending off attackers,” Yin said.
The zookeepers were concerned about how Babu was going to adjust to life after losing one-third of his trunk.
“He suffered from a loss of appetite,” said Guo Xunji, Babu’s former feeder.
To help Babu, Guo patrolled the elephant’s enclosure and stuffed bananas and apples straight into his mouth when he was hungry.
After Babu’s recovery, Guo started experimenting with ways to help the elephant feed himself.
After six months’ intensive training, Babu started to get the hang of it.
“When we first started, Babu would fail eight out of 10 tries,” Guo said.
“Some visitors even got teary-eyed after witnessing the hardship the poor animal had to endure.”