Animals at our Local Zoo: Elephants

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By Kenny Wordsmith

Elephants are the beasts I love best, like most Indians. They are both clumsy and graceful at the same time. They look like peace loving, family types, but once they get mad, they get really mad! If you let them be, like most animals, they will let you be.

The first three photos are from my recent visit to the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, popularly known as the Vandalur Zoo, which is about 30 kilometers from Chennai, my city.

It was feeding time, and the keepers had cleverly given them lunch close enough for us to see them and shoot pix. By them, I meant jumbos, not keepers, of course. I couldn't take many, as the diners didn't move from their 'table.'

Peaceful people
Peaceful people
Rear View of Little Chap
Rear View of Little Chap
Lunch Time
Lunch Time

The following set of pictures were taken by me at the popular elephant sanctuary (Punnathur kotta) near the Guruvayur temple, Kerala State, where temple jumbos reside. There are about 60 elephants, and all of them were donated by devotees. Pictures taken in 2007.

This young fellow has put mud on his head to be 'cool.' He dug a hole in the ground and helped himself.
This young fellow has put mud on his head to be 'cool.' He dug a hole in the ground and helped himself.

Other Animals I Saw

 

If you love white tigers, please take a look at those pretty felines in my previous hub. Click here.

If you would like to see Indian Bisons and Deer, click here.

Bears and Wild Asses, LOL, are here!

Comments

Jackilyn profile image

Jackilyn 4 years ago

great hub kenny! and thanx again!

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

The appreciation is mutual, Jackilyn; Your great hub made me do this hub fast, to keep up!

G-Ma Johnson profile image

G-Ma Johnson Level 4 Commenter 4 years ago

You are so lucky to be among these wonderful creatures Kenny...and I have only seen live elephants at the Circus many many years ago.  I love to watch a program here called" Animal Planet " Although I have been to zoo's but they are few and far between....We have a Game Farm here in Sequim with retired animals from captivity and shows.  My favorite are the Bengal Tigers..but also the huge Rhino  he is sweet.....I can't name my favorite animal..Love them all..As usual great pics...and Thank you G-Ma :O)

Abhinaya 4 years ago

Loved these 'peaceful people',Kenny.The pictures are very clear and great quality!Thumbs up coz they are my favourites.

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

Ah, G-Ma, you are also lucky to have that Game Farm nearby. I couldn't see the rhino this time. An amazing animal that! We love the zoo so much, my wife and I, that we have made about 25 visits so far.

Thank you Abhinaya, I'll look forward to seeing your pictures after your visit.

Pat 4 years ago

Nice. My zoo pics pale in comparison. You get to see the elephants so close, and without barriers.

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

Where are your zoo pix, Pat? May I see them, please?

We had barriers, too. 

I zoomed the best I could, then cropped in Photoshop. 

My secret is out! :) 

MrMarmalade profile image

MrMarmalade 4 years ago

Love those little furry creatures. or are they pussy cats?

I have previously mentioned the elephant that stood on his keeper and killed him.

He his going to be placed in a Zoo.

Authorities in NSW are looking to which oneto put him in.

He will apparently be able to take his girl friend with him.

By the way i am jealous that your elephants have such great photos

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

Like someone else said I look forward to your comments, Frank. They are as beautiful as the hub. :)

Ah, that's not a bad punishment if his girl is going to be with him. 

They should consider that for our prisons, too!

compu-smart profile image

compu-smart 4 years ago

Great pics Kenny..I love Elephants so much..They are so wise, powerful yet gentle intelegent creatures and i would love to get upfront and personal with them one day..

Zsuzsy Bee profile image

Zsuzsy Bee Level 3 Commenter 4 years ago

Kenny! Great Hub as always. Your zoo looks so natural it's deceiving. It's a shame they haven't come up with a miniature version of elephants; I'd sure have one of them.

regards Zsuzsy

Cynna profile image

Cynna 4 years ago

That looks like an amazing zoo! They really did a good job with the habitat from what I can see! Loved this hub, thanks for sharing!

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

Mark, yes, you can do that. In India, it's quite easy for almost anybody to touch an elephant and climb on his back. I have, and both my children have, too. Also, when we give them bananas or the keeper money, the elephant 'blesses' us with a drooly trunk!

Zsuzsy, there's an actor in India, who has an elephant for a pet!

Costs a fortune to feed them, though!

Thank you, Cynna. Yes, they did, and are constantly improving.

William F. Torpey profile image

William F. Torpey Level 2 Commenter 4 years ago

Your elephant photos are magnificent. "Tip" the elelphant was a popular exhibit at the Hudson River Museum when I was a boy. He made a great impression on me (fortunately, not with his foot!) I'm not so sure about taxidermy, however. Since then I've been fascinated by the animals, and always enjoyed seeing them at circuses. Thanks for the adventure.

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

Oh, thank you, William.

Your last line reminds me of Willard Price's Elephant Adventure!

Paraglider profile image

Paraglider Level 5 Commenter 2 years ago

These are great pictures, Kenny. The elephants seem to have a decent environment. There are a couple of elephants in the zoo here in Doha, but it's not a great place and one visit was enough.

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 2 years ago

Thank you, Paraglider. It wasn't so spacious when I was a child, but now we have a big zoo.

I'm delighted to note that you got this link from twitter. :)

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