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MEDIA
RELEASE
March 13, 2010
CONTACT:
Kara Bussabarger
kara.bussabarger@louisvilleky.gov
502-238-5331 (502-744-5639 Media Cell)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
.jpg) Birthday wishes for Scotty, the African elephant
Our growing boy celebrates
his 3rd birthday!
African elephant Scotty celebrated his third
birthday today, March 13.
A large crowd watched as Scotty, mom Mikki, and
aunt Punch demonstrated some training moves before delving into a
double-layer birthday cake made up of hay, alfalfa, fresh celery,
carrots, watermelon and oranges. Three tall bamboo sticks served as
symbolic candles.
In a race to gobble up the birthday cake,
Scotty beat his mom Mikki by just a few seconds. Aunt Punch wasn’t far
behind.
Scotty weighed in at 2,385 pounds (on his
second birthday he weighed 1,800 pounds) and measured 5 foot 9 inches
tall (he measured 5 foot tall on his second birthday).
“The birthday boy is definitely growing up,”
Louisville Zoo Elephant Area Supervisor Dave Campbell beamed. “I am
excited that the community came out to celebrate with us. I think people
enjoy seeing Scotty grow up and marking the milestones along with us.”
Scotty also enjoyed his special birthday gift—
a large street sweeper brush.
“Scotty, Mikki and Punch seem to really enjoy
it,” Campbell said. “It is great enrichment. They love to scratch
themselves, lean on and play with it.”
Other Zoo animals like the camels, lions,
jaguar and orangutans also took part in the celebration with animal
enrichment activities throughout the day.
Scotty Background
Scotty was born March 18, 2007, at 8:45 p.m. at
the Louisville Zoo. At birth, he weighed in at 285 pounds and was 37.5
inches tall. He is the first elephant born in the state of Kentucky and
in the Zoo’s 41-year history.
Photo by Kara
Bussabarger
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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).
***
Get
up-to-date information about the Zoo’s upcoming Glacier Run exhibit
by checking out our new
Glacier Run blog. You can also show your love for the Louisville
Zoo by becoming a fan on
Facebook and
Twitter.
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