Photographs From the Son - St. Louis Zoo 2011 I

The following photographs were taken on December 26, 2011, a day preceding the St. Louis Zoo's breeding bull Raja's 19th birthday.

Raja, St. Louis Zoo, 12/2011
Courtesy of R Easley

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas - Dickerson Park Zoo

"26 year-old Pinky with her calf Kate, born July 26,1991"
Courtesy of R Easley

Erie Zoo - Tom Boy

Wayne Jackson recently submitted a photo to ShowMe Elephants looking to identify the animal and facility. With the help of former Erie Zoo elephant keeper Kris Hopkins, the photo was identified as Shani of the Erie Zoo. A multiple part series featuring the elephant history of the Erie Zoo will begin, with many animals needing further information to complete their stories.

>> "Erie Zoo" at ShowMe Elephants

According to Erie Zoo spokesman Scott Mitchell, former Erie radio personality Barry Grossman once made the profound observation, "Erie people often identify their generation by the elephant at the zoo at the time they were growing up."

Candy Hitchcock Collection - Dixie

Ms. Hitchcock has graciously shared rare insight into the beginnings of the elephant program of Zoo Miami (or the Crandon Park Zoo, as it was originally known prior to relocation).

Dixie was the zoo's first elephant and about 20 when I knew her. I used to walk her out to the shade area behind the elephant barn and scratch her back with a rake. She had a huge rubber tire she carried around and we called it her 'baby'. Sadly, she developed arthritis in her front foot/leg from all the years walking on the concrete floor of the barn and was operated on. The surgery was a success but she later died of pneumonia. //Candy Hitchcock

"Hi Ryan, Here is a picture of me with Dixie. I am holding here ‘baby’. Candy"
Courtesy of C Hitchcock

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mother's Day to my mother, Karen. Featured below are a few pictures of her four children throughout the years.

San Antonio Zoo, July 1994

Merry Christmas - Parc Safari

Courtesy of Francis Lavigne

Hemmingford Parc Safari, Quebec, Canada
Courtesy of F Lavigne