Summary:
The Oklahoma City Zoo has a ten-person Elephant and Rhino team caring for eight Asian elephants and three Indian rhinoceros. As a new team member, Sarah has had to learn how to clean, bathe, and train elephants. Cleaning involves removing feces and leftover hay from the elephant habitats and hosing and scrubbing the elephant barn. Bathing the elephants every morning not only gets them clean but also allows for a check-up on their bodies. Training the elephants involves operant conditioning and positive reinforcement, with rewards like sliced apples, carrots, and sweet potatoes. The team has experienced milestones in the last six months, such as the growth of the youngest elephant herd member, Rama, and introduction of a new male elephant, Bowie, for breeding purposes. The team has high hopes for the growth of their herd. The Oklahoma City Zoo offers a volunteer program and invites visitors to see the elephants and rhinos in their habitats and to follow the herd updates on social media.
Read the Source Here
Learning How to be an Elephant Caretaker: Caring for the Gentle Giants
Elephants are amazing creatures, known for their intelligence, strength, and gentle demeanor. As more and more people become aware of their plight in the wild, there is a growing need for elephant caretakers who can help protect and care for these majestic animals.
If you’re interested in becoming an elephant caretaker, here are a few things you need to know.
Understanding Elephant Behavior
One of the most important things you need to learn is reading and understanding elephant behavior. Elephants are social animals and have complex communication systems. They communicate through vocalizations, body language, and behaviors like ear flapping, trunk swinging, and tail flicking.
As an elephant caretaker, it’s important to read these signs, as they can tell you a lot about the elephant’s mood and needs.
Building Trust
Building trust with an elephant is crucial to work effectively with them. It’s important to establish a relationship based on mutual trust and respect. Elephants are incredibly intelligent animals and can sense when someone is afraid, uncomfortable, or lacking confidence.
Take your time getting to know the elephants in your care, and be patient as they get to know you. Offer treats and soothing touches, and always give them positive reinforcement when they do something right.
Providing Proper Nutrition
Elephants consume a lot of food every day – up to 300 pounds! Their diet consists mainly of vegetation, but they also need vitamins, minerals, and other supplements to stay healthy. As an elephant caretaker, providing the right balance of nutrients is crucial.
Ensure to provide fresh water, hay, fresh fruits and vegetables, and special supplements. Monitoring their intake is also important to ensure they’re not overeating or under-eating.
Maintaining Cleanliness and Hygiene
Elephants are prone to various health issues, so ensuring their living quarters are clean and safe is important. Proper hygiene is crucial to prevent infections.
Clean their living space regularly and ensure it is properly disinfected with approved disinfectants. This will prevent the spread of diseases, parasites, and fly infestations.
Creating a Safe Environment
Elephants need a safe environment, free from danger and threats from outside. Elephants are vulnerable to poachers and ivory hunters, so creating a secure, controlled environment is important.
Maintain high levels of security by setting up sound barriers, installing security cameras, and ensuring the elephants’ needs are met.
Conclusion
Becoming an elephant caretaker takes time, patience, and dedication, but it can be a very rewarding career. It’s an opportunity to work with some of the most majestic creatures on the planet and become part of the effort to protect them from extinction. Elephant caretakers can provide these gentle giants with the care they deserve by understanding their behavior, building trust with them, providing proper nutrition, maintaining their hygiene, and creating a safe environment.
