On a visit to the San Diego Zoo, we started with a tour on an electric, open-air tram. To my ears, it made absolutely no sound. As we approached the elephant area, there was a great big one standing with his back to our approach. All of a sudden he heaved his body around and greeted us excitedly. He could hear what I couldn't! The driver stopped, got out, and the two of them had a wonderful, loving greeting which you could tell, happened regularly!
Elephants pick up vibrations; even though you could hear nothing, the elephant felt you coming.
jazz0130
Sep 13, 2022
What a wonderful thing to witness and a great memory!
trynfindit
Sep 13, 2022
What a great story and memory.
beckydent
Sep 14, 2022
Jamp124, Loved that story. I have never been to a big zoo.
trynfindit
Sep 15, 2022
When my brother & I were little, I was about 2 & he was 5, our mom & dad took us to the fair. That was when they used to have the elephants lined up at the entrance so people could pet them & give them peanuts. As we were passing this one elephant Mike gave her some peanuts and she reached her trunk out, wrapped it around Mike's waist, lifted him up & put him on her head. Mom, as the story goes, was petrified but Mike patted the elephant on the head & said, "Down girl" and The elephant picked him up again & set him on the ground.
trynfindit
Sep 15, 2022
Becky, zoos are wonderful. Check out one near where you live.
beckydent
Sep 15, 2022
I will do that.
JAMP124
Sep 19, 2022
Beckydent ---- another zoo happening that same day!
We were at the primate area and climbed up to a high viewing area --- picture a high wooden platform --- like a high second story. Below us in all natural surroundings were three gorillas. They had three items which kept them (and us) fascinated. A stick, a towel, and a ball about the size of a soccer ball, but softer. The three of them played together with those three items sharing them and interacting. No one wanted to leave. When they tired of that, they wandered a short way to a brook and played in the water.
Another vivid memory of that day!
aknan
Sep 19, 2022
What a story, trynfindit! And a great family memory, too.
trynfindit
Sep 20, 2022
You know, I've looked at that comment I wrote and couldn't figure out what was wrong with it. It finally hit me - we were going to the CIRCUS not the fair! lol
beckydent
Sep 20, 2022
JAMP124, Thank you for the other story. Sounds like so much fun to watch. I watch the zoo stories on TV and they show how they think of things to give the animals to entertain themselves. It just is the simplest things.
What a majestic animal. Sam's nephew and his wife are going on a vacation to Australia. Sam said, "Don't tell Becky. She would love to go". I watched that TV show "Crickey". Takes place where Steve Erwin lived. Years ago he got stung by a stingray and died. Of all the things he has done it was awful. I haven't seen that show since Covid. Don't know what is going on. That is one place Sam's nephew is going if it is open.
We were at the primate area and climbed up to a high viewing area --- picture a high wooden platform --- like a high second story. Below us in all natural surroundings were three gorillas. They had three items which kept them (and us) fascinated. A stick, a towel, and a ball about the size of a soccer ball, but softer. The three of them played together with those three items sharing them and interacting. No one wanted to leave. When they tired of that, they wandered a short way to a brook and played in the water.
Another vivid memory of that day!