How much do Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's
elephants weigh?
It was anybody's guess until recently. Since the Zoo didn't have a large
'walk-on' scale built into the floor of the Pachyderm Builiding, Zoo maintenance
staff devised an alternative. The elephant scale is made up of four independent
scales, wired to a single electronic read-out.
Mitch and Meghan, elephant keepers, prepare the scale as Jo watches through
the doorway.
The scale is assembled in two
parts. Jo will require training, balance and, of course, a reward to complete
the task. See the fresh hay piled near the scale?
Mitch opens the hydraulic door
as Meghan invites Jo into the 'weight room.' Jo carefully inspects the scale
with her trunk to make sure it's a familiar object.
Jo's got it half right. Weeks
of careful training pay off as Mitch works to reposition Jo.
Meghan uses a whistle to signal
Jo that she's in the right spot on the small platforms.
Success! Jo's
feet are carefully placed on the scale and she holds still
long enough to get an accurate weight - 8,500 pounds. The procedure
was repeated on Moshi who weighs 8,321.
Martika had scale anxiety which many ladies can relate to,
and was initially reluctant to hop on the scales. But she
now climbs aboard and recently tipped the scales at 8,080 pounds.
