Baby Elephant - Moment of Cute Zen

1. jim
   February 14th, 2009 at 7:27 am

   I found it very depressing-the animal is trapped in a cage,nowhere to go, no fresh air, drab and ugly surroundings,no friends. Even his keepers make no sounds.

2. Nudzi Button
   February 14th, 2009 at 8:33 am

   As absolutely cute as it was, watching little Samudra play with the ball, I agree with jim. It really was sad to see it locked inside four concrete walls.

3. LisaL
   February 14th, 2009 at 9:29 am

   Very adorable. Yes it would've been cuter if they hadn't been in the cell, but I'm sure that's not their perma home.
   Anywho.... love the part where the baby elephant plops on to it's side and starts kicking at the ball, SO CUTE

4. Mytake
   February 14th, 2009 at 11:03 am

   Yeah, I'm sure the Oregon zoo does a good job but it's heartbreaking to see the little elephant enclosed in a gray cement cage. I hope both animals are sent to a better, sunny, well-aired space asap.

5. Miss Curly
   February 14th, 2009 at 11:18 am

   I found this extremely depressing.
   In fact, it is just downright horrible for him and his mother to be trapped in that cage. I never go to zoos because most of them are just wrong.
   This is just wrong.
   Did this come from UQ? Because if so, then it just goes to show what we can expect from Neatorama in the future, and this just makes me sad.

6. Gauldar
   February 14th, 2009 at 12:05 pm

   Is this footage of the winter time when it's too cold for them to be outside?

7. Sarah
   February 14th, 2009 at 12:50 pm

   Sort of cute, yes. Would be nicer if they had a nicer environment I agree.

   One last comment. The title continues the devaluation of the word "Zen" to the same meaningless misapplication that has been done with "quantum". I forgive Jon Stewart because his "moments of zen" are moments of surpassing weirdness.

8. Namowal
   February 14th, 2009 at 1:06 pm

   We're seeing the elephants' indoor quarters. This zoo also has outdoor quarters. I have mixed feelings about elephants in zoos. Some zoos do a better job than others. Does the zoo provide (and rotate) toys and diversions for them? Do they have different surfaces for them to walk on?(hard surfaces can lead to serious foot problems,) Do they have company? Are they roughed up by the keepers? Are they ever chained in place? How much room do the elephants have?

   The luckiest captive elephants end up at the The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. Way better than any zoo I've seen.

9. Carbonfish
   February 14th, 2009 at 2:13 pm

   Geez you guys, lighten up. You are getting upset about something that you don't have any first-hand experience with.

   I live in Oregon and am a member of the Oregon Zoo. Little "Sam", and all of the other elephants that live in the zoo live in a habitat that has been carefully researched and designed to provide them with not only plenty of space outdoors, but also swimming areas and activities that engage them and allow them to play and operate as a functioning group. One of the other commenters was correct in saying that you were just seeing part of one of the indoor areas where the elephants are handled and monitored, and they also sleep indoors. The Oregon Zoo is a world class elephant protection and research facility and has an enviable track record for advocating for the protection of these animals.

   If any of you want to see photos of Sam and his mom outside playing in one of the large yards, you can find them here:

   http://flickr.com/photos/carbonfish

   I just think that before you express outrage or sadness about something, you should know a little bit about it first.

   KC

10. imanalchemist
    February 14th, 2009 at 2:16 pm

    The mother of that elephant was born in captivity and had no idea what to do with the baby when it was born. She almost killed the baby several times and they had to keep her in chains until she was accustomed to feeding the baby. These elephants would not be that better off in a sanctuary due to overcrowding

11. Carbonfish
    February 14th, 2009 at 2:23 pm

    @imanalchemist

    They did not have to keep Rose-tu (Samudra's mom) in chains. They had to keep them separated. You are mischaracterizing the handling of the elephants and doing the Oregon Zoo and the elephant handlers a disservice.

12. GailW
    February 14th, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    Cuteness!

13. Mytake
    February 14th, 2009 at 2:48 pm

    Carbonfish, thanks for the info on how the elephants are treated at the Oregon Zoo. The critical comments were made based on the visual evidence. It just goes to show that there are still many doubts as to the treatment received by caged animals, and how important it is to always grant these creatures adequate living conditions.

14. Carbonfish
    February 14th, 2009 at 2:50 pm

    @ Mytake

    You're welcome.

15. wtf
    February 14th, 2009 at 3:26 pm

    Ya those "outdoor" cement enclosed pen photos looks really great.

    Every zoo can shove it, including the oregon one.

16. imanalchemist
    February 14th, 2009 at 4:21 pm

    @carbonfish. I am only restating what I read and saw in the news. that themother needed to be restrained during initial feeding due to hostilities with the baby

17. Carbonfish
    February 14th, 2009 at 5:16 pm

    @imanalchemist

    Fair enough. ^_^

18. renderanything
    February 15th, 2009 at 1:34 am

    Great insights carbonfish.
    My personal favorite bit was when "Sam" rolled around on his side with the ball. Very reminiscent to what our dogs do every now and again with something they find especially odoriferous or playful.

19. ted
    February 15th, 2009 at 9:48 am

    Somehow, I managed to resist giggling when I watched this.
    Not complaining about the zoo, though. It is a sad fact of life that, as we kill their natural habitats and drive them to extinction, most animals will eventually end up in zoos.

20. Anne
    February 17th, 2009 at 3:21 am

    Also, people, there was a huge grant that just passed to make the zoo even nicer than it is right now.

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