Meet the Elephants
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's three female African elephants are staying at the Columbus Zoo during construction of the new African Elephant Crossing habitat. The Zoo's trio of pachyderms are being cared for by two of their keepers from Cleveland during their stay in Columbus, and they're scheduled to return to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo before the grand opening of their expanded and improved exhibit in 2011.
Now, meet the elephants:
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Jo
Date of Birth: 1967
Birthplace: Mozambique
Weight: 9,010 pounds
The matriarch of the herd, Jo is a very confident elephant who doesn't get rattled easily. As the oldest of the Zoo's three elephants – and the largest – she's also the best at learning new behaviors from her keepers. She came to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo with Moshi in 1997 from the Wildlife Safari in Winston Oregon. |
Martika
Date of Birth: 1985
Birthplace: Zimbabwe
Weight: 8,620 pounds
Martika is the most playful of the herd, spending time interacting with both Moshi and Jo throughout the day. "Tika" enjoys splashing water around and making bubbly noises with her trunk when her keepers give her a bath, and she's known to tuck hay and other treats between her trunk and tusks to save for later. Martika came to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in 1997 from the Erie Zoo. |
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Moshi
Date of Birth: 1976
Birthplace: Cape Provence, Africa
Weight: 8,600 pounds
The most independent member of the herd, Moshi is the most cooperative elephant in daily training sessions. Her keepers also say Moshi is the best painter of the trio. When given a paintbrush, some colors and a canvas, Moshi takes the most time making each stroke and has the most varied approach to art. Moshi came to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo with Jo in 1997 from the Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. |
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