I rode an elephant!!!

Reticu-Lady · #1 (**permalink**) 04-14-2002, 12:02 AM

Hehehehe, I took the kids to the circus today. It was so neat. I wish I could have tape recorded Laurie every time she said 'wow' it was so cute hearing that said so quietly, almost a whisper. And the girls' smiles. lol It was great! Of course there were the usual clowns and high wire acts, even a human cannonball (I've never seen that before - too cool). Of course, the doggie acts and the dancing horses, very nice - Oh yeah and a beautiful white tiger! I still like watching the elephants the best, some of the things these 9000 pound animals can do are amazing. During intermission and after the circus, they had elephant rides. Of course, I couldn't allow my little girls to ride that huge beastie all by themselves, now could I? So cool! Boy am I glad we were where we were when he decided he had to 'go'. Splashed everyone that was standing too close! It was too funny!!! Anyway, if the pics aren't too embarrassing when they come back, I will post them. I just had to share though!
[addsig]

Constrictor_BO · #2 (**permalink**) 04-14-2002, 12:24 AM

Sounds like someone had fun today. I bet the kids really enjoyed it too.
Cant wait to see them pics.
[addsig]

LdyDrgn · #3 (**permalink**) 04-14-2002, 01:11 AM

Hehe, I'm glad you all had fun! Elephant rides are neat...but man, does your butt get sore!!! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img]
[addsig]

#4 (**permalink**) 04-14-2002, 04:04 AM

Sounds like ya had some fun there... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] Waiting for pics now...lol [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]
[addsig]

roachpunk · #5 (**permalink**) 04-14-2002, 04:17 AM

kewl. Ive riden an elephant b4 too. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
[addsig]

najaboy · #6 (**permalink**) 04-15-2002, 12:49 AM

It still boggles my mind that elephant rides are offered regularly. Statistically, elephants are the most dangerous zoo animal, killing more keepers than all other animals combined. The Department of Labor actually lists it as among the jobs with the highest risk of death... higher than that of military, police officers, truck drivers, etc.

That being said, the actual numbers are low. In the US, we have about 600 elephant handlers, both in zoos and the private sector. Of these, one or two die a year as a result of interaction with elephants.

Where am I going with this? Nowhere really.

[addsig]

Jack_Daniels · #7 (**permalink**) 04-15-2002, 01:09 AM

Put me in that situation and eventually I'll snap and come after you too... I've seen some of those "behind the scenes" tapes... I'd take great enjoyment is smashing the ones that did it to me....

That being said... man we killed the mood of this post soooo fast... lol.. She's talking about taking her kids to the circus... Her munchkin all amazed going ...wow.....wow, I can hear it now... then we come along... Oh well its a dirty job but someones got to do it... For real tho, Im surprised they still do it too...

Sorry Just-Me... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
[addsig]

najaboy · #8 (**permalink**) 04-15-2002, 02:38 AM

Yep, I'm sorry about killing the mood, too. I was pretty much just thinking aloud.
[addsig]

SnakePool · #9 (**permalink**) 04-15-2002, 03:10 AM

Talk about ultimate mood killers... lighten up... sheesh.

I'M glad you and your kids had fun.

Send me some of those pics would ya!!
[addsig]

Reticu-Lady · #10 (**permalink**) 04-15-2002, 07:04 AM

Don't worry about the mood killing. I often had thoughts to that affect every time I let my girls ride the horses we used to own. With the exception on JoAnna getting thrown once (not badly) the horses were always a positive experience.
I am very aware of the elephants 'temper tantrums' especially of the bulls in musch (sp) since the last veterinarian I worked for had a contract with a circus and several exotic animal handlers, I have gotten to assist in trunk washes for TB testing, B. sp. testing in cattle, goats and llamas, irritable camels with scours, health certificates for performing bears - the list goes on.
Anyway, I figured we only live once, so we may as well live life to the fullest. I have recently heard that there is a chance of elephants becoming extinct in my childrens' lifetime. At the very least, they have experienced the majesty and primitive beauty of such a noble creature. I have pulled them out of class to meet a 'pet' camel and I am glad I did, since that camel with the sense of humor similar to a happy child, was killed several weeks later (yes, by an elephant, handler's fault, not the ele's). I am happy to say, my girls have seen coyotes in the wild (woke them up for that), petted and played with a camel, rode and elephant and gawked at Arkansas black bears and Bengal tigers 'face to face' (behind bars in the case of the tigers)
Yes, it could have been a tradegy, but the bigger tradegy would have been not getting that experience.
Ok, sorry for rambling [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] (and, no, I am not in the habit of putting my children at risk, unless you consider I do allow them in the car even when I plan on driving on the hwy with all the road rage, drunks and crazies out there) lol [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img]
[addsig]

Dr.Oviparous · #11 (**permalink**) 04-15-2002, 11:45 AM

elephants are my favorite animal!! and the circus at the same time!?!?! oh, man, now I'm very, very jelous! -Juggalo
[addsig]

Reticu-Lady · #12 (**permalink**) 04-15-2002, 08:49 PM

Yes, Juggalofwb
Elephants AND the circus. It was a fun filled day. I just can not believe the things mere humans can get these elephants to do. They did the 'typical' tricks, posing on the little stands, 'sitting up" headstands, the 'conga line thing' It amazes me when I see the pure strength and the gentleness of these huge animals. I was the most impressed by the elephants with their front legs on another elephant's back. When they dismounted, they were so smooth and graceful, but you could see how they were trying not to hurt each other. The incredible strength they displayed while ever so carefully dismounting was mind boggling. I have always liked elephants, but that display of consideration for each other made me realize how much I haven't really appreciated them before. Impressive creatures. It was neat, at one point, I got to witness a 'special' moment between a handler and 'his' ele, she was fussing a bit (I bet she was either tired or bored) and he started to scratch on her trunk, she gently put her trunk around him and carfully pulled him closer so he would rub her tongue. I loved seeing the smile he gave her and the way she actually looked so happy when he responded to her. I swear, you could almost see her laughing with her as he whispered to her. It was like watching a man and his dog, except she was so much more subtle, but obviously they had such deep affection for each other. As for the other elephant, I think he really enjoyed the children because as each child got off and started going down the stairs, he would watch them and occasionally reach his trunck out to very lightly touch one or two of them. To be so huge but so gentle, just amazing. Especially when you realize an elephant can kill a human so quickly. There was no fear expressed by anyone around them, the whole atmoshphere was calm and serene. The kids that were so loud and rambuctious in line werre swept up in the awe of these magnificant animals. No crying, no screaming, none of the things you see kids do when approached by some dogs, horses snakes, etc. It was like they knew they were experiencing something almost spiritual. Nothing but huge smiles and quiet laughter. I think I witnessed a small miracle that day. Maybe I am reading too much into it, but it sure felt good, whatever it was.
[addsig]

Dr.Oviparous · #13 (**permalink**) 04-16-2002, 08:01 AM

thats what I love about elephants, they have so many of the same feelings that we do, and they show them all the time! wow, lucky you! Juggalo
[addsig]

Jack_Daniels · #14 (**permalink**) 04-19-2002, 08:21 AM

I've never.....NEVER.... seen a bear in the 'wild'... yet, I've seen one ride a F'ing motorcycle.....the work of God?, Justice?....

I've never seen a boa in the wild either.... Thank God, Ive never seen one ride a motorcycle.....I dont think it could work the gears...haha shut up... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Understand an animals mind, and you can be the animal.. If I did to you, what you did to the bear... you'd kill me... amen... if the animal kills you... OH MY GOD IT WENT BEZERK... it went off and killed the innocent handler..... I'll kiss the handler goodbye with a sweet kiss.. the bear, snake, elephant, etc... I will shed a tear for.... God forgive the handler... God bless the animal... Let it be known
[addsig]

Advertisement