As the temperatures soared above 30 degrees in Sydney this week the elephants at Taronga Zoo have been cooling off the pool.
Luk Chai and his mother Thong Dee have had fun plunging into their pool and taking a shower under the waterfall.
Elepahant keeper, Ian Gleichman explained how the elephants love a daily dip ““The elephants will usually head straight for the water on hot days, submerging themselves, rolling around and even somersaulting underwater.”
Of course Taronga’s three calves Luk Chai, Tukta and Pathi Harn were not content with just taking a dip and got up to mischief with Gleichman saying, “The young calves also love to play about and dunk each other. It’s a great pool party.”
It also serves a great social activity for the calves. “Playing in the water is a great form of exercise for our young elephants and it provides an opportunity for them to develop physical and social skills that they’ll continue to use as they get older,” said Gleichman.
Swimming is a natural part of the lives of wild elephantts as it for the elephants at Taronga.
“In the wild they spend a lot of time in rivers, lakes and mud wallows. We’re fortunate to have two great pool areas at Taronga where our elephants can cool down and the waterfall is always a favourite.”
“I think they really enjoy the feel and sensation of the running water on their skin. Sometimes they’ll just kick back and relax with their legs in the air,” added Gleichman.
Photo Credit: Paul Fahy/ Taronga Zoo
