Scotty takes to the water

Baby elephant goes for a swim

Scotty, the Louisville Zoo’s 1-year-old baby African elephant, hit a big milestone today when he went swimming in the elephant yard pool.

After he slowly eased down the pool steps behind his mom Mikki, Scotty cut loose, diving down into the deep 6-foot pool and using his trunk as a snorkel.

“He really liked it,” Elephant Area Supervisor Dave Campbell smiled. “Scotty is very buoyant and floats like a cork.”

Campbell and the other elephant keepers have been gradually introducing Scotty to the elephant yard pool by filling it up a little more each day. Today it was filled to the top.

Scotty now has access to the pool at all times and Campbell said he envisions Scotty jumping in and out of it all day.

“It will definitely keep him cool during the hot weather,” Campbell said. “And I am sure he will keep the public amused when he is swimming, because he is just so cute.”

((EDITOR’S NOTE: Photo by Kara Bussabarger, more photos are available upon request.))

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The Louisville Zoo, a non-profit organization and state zoo of Kentucky, is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the American Association of Museums (AAM) and by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

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