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Pumpkin party in the elephant farm: huge snack for the pachyderms!
Elephants in the Ludwigslust-Parchim elephant farm enjoy a pumpkin weighing 560 kg. Visit the Advent weekends for festive animal displays!
Pumpkin party in the elephant farm: huge snack for the pachyderms!
There was really something going on in the elephant farm in Parchim today! The two female African elephants, Sandra and Citta, happily nibbled on an impressive pumpkin that weighs an impressive 560 kilograms. This enormous pumpkin, an Atlantic Giant, comes from Andreas Kiefel from Reckenzin in Brandenburg and won the prize for the heaviest pumpkin at the pumpkin festival in Alt Schwerin. “The elephants can crack it with their tusks,” reports junior manager Jennifer Kröplin, who sometimes lends a hand herself to feeding her charges.
But the Asian female elephants, Vana and Susi, also enjoyed pumpkin, even if they had to improvise. Since they lack tusks, they used their powerful legs to reach the pulp. At 66 years old, Vana is the oldest Asian female elephant in Germany, and she clearly enjoyed being part of the tasting.
Feeding in a festive atmosphere
The special event attracted many spectators who not only watched the elephants eat. Visitors in costumes received free entry, and the elephant farm team created a great atmosphere with festive decorations. The winter season is just around the corner and it begins on the first weekend of Advent, November 29th and 30th, where the idea is to present the Christmas story with almost all the animals on the farm.
In total, not only the seven elephants live on the elephant farm, but also zebras, sea lions, alpacas, goats, cattle, raccoons, sheep, camels and a rhinoceros. The diverse range of animals ensures that visitors never get bored!
Elephant husbandry is changing
In order to ensure the well-being of elephants, there is an increasing change in the keeping tradition. In the past, elephants were kept in direct contact with humans, which often led to dangerous situations. A system that enables high-quality care without risk to the care staff is increasingly being favored in Europe. In Germany, the majority of elephants are still cared for without a protective barrier, but the trend towards protected forms of keeping (protected contact) is clearly visible.
Scientifically managed zoos have recognized that this type of keeping is the safest and most species-appropriate solution not only for the animals, but also for people. Only 30% of elephants worldwide have direct contact with people, while in Germany around 70% of elephants are kept in a system that does not exclude personal touch - a practice that is becoming less and less accepted.
Together we are leaving tradition behind us and looking optimistically to the future of elephant farming. Perhaps the pumpkin food is not only a delicious snack, but also a symbol of the change that is happening in animal care. You can find out more about this and the upcoming events on the pages of Nordkurier and Elefanten-Schutz Europa.