Expert's Assessment
[from Toledo Zoo - 7/3/10]
"Internationally recognized Elephant Management Consultant Alan Roocroft presented an assessment of the July 1 incident in which Don RedFox, The Toledo Zoo‟s Elephant Manager, was injured during an interaction with Louie, the Zoo‟s seven-year-old male African elephant. Mr. RedFox remains in the hospital following the incident; the Zoo has no further updates on his status at this time.
"Mr. Roocroft spent the day Saturday reviewing footage of the incident and talking with Toledo Zoo staff members, including other elephant keepers and members of the Veterinary staff. According to Mr. Roocroft, Louie was engaging in challenging behavior during his interaction, which is common among bull elephants as they mature. “I don‟t think that Louie‟s intent was to injure Don,” he said, “but when Louie was startled, natural instincts kicked in and it was „game on.‟” Even so, Mr. Roocroft says, it was not as severe as it could have been if Louie had been in a rage at the time of the incident. “An animal that weighs over 4,000 pounds is capable of far more than what occurred.”
"Mr. Roocroft is confident that the Zoo will have a better understanding of the incident once the inquiry team is able to talk with Mr. RedFox and further review the incident. “I have a great deal of respect for both Don and The Toledo Zoo's elephant program,” Mr. Roocroft said in his statement today.
"In addition, The Toledo Zoo‟s Executive Director Dr. Anne Baker stated that Louie remains on exhibit along with his mother Renee and the Zoo‟s other adult female Twiggy, and that Louie is being cared for in what is called protected contact, in which the elephant is cared for by keepers working outside the elephant‟s habitat. Louie has been receiving protected contact training for years.
"She also expressed her best wishes to Mr. RedFox and his family. “We've received a tremendous outpouring of support from throughout the community, and we appreciate all the good thoughts.”
"Dr. Baker emphasizes that The Toledo Zoo‟s commitment to its elephant program remains as strong as ever, and that Louie is an integral part of that program. According to Dr. Baker, “Visitors have been asking us about Louie‟s future. I could not envision a circumstance in which Louie is no longer at the Zoo.”"
"Internationally recognized Elephant Management Consultant Alan Roocroft presented an assessment of the July 1 incident in which Don RedFox, The Toledo Zoo‟s Elephant Manager, was injured during an interaction with Louie, the Zoo‟s seven-year-old male African elephant. Mr. RedFox remains in the hospital following the incident; the Zoo has no further updates on his status at this time.
"Mr. Roocroft spent the day Saturday reviewing footage of the incident and talking with Toledo Zoo staff members, including other elephant keepers and members of the Veterinary staff. According to Mr. Roocroft, Louie was engaging in challenging behavior during his interaction, which is common among bull elephants as they mature. “I don‟t think that Louie‟s intent was to injure Don,” he said, “but when Louie was startled, natural instincts kicked in and it was „game on.‟” Even so, Mr. Roocroft says, it was not as severe as it could have been if Louie had been in a rage at the time of the incident. “An animal that weighs over 4,000 pounds is capable of far more than what occurred.”
"Mr. Roocroft is confident that the Zoo will have a better understanding of the incident once the inquiry team is able to talk with Mr. RedFox and further review the incident. “I have a great deal of respect for both Don and The Toledo Zoo's elephant program,” Mr. Roocroft said in his statement today.
"In addition, The Toledo Zoo‟s Executive Director Dr. Anne Baker stated that Louie remains on exhibit along with his mother Renee and the Zoo‟s other adult female Twiggy, and that Louie is being cared for in what is called protected contact, in which the elephant is cared for by keepers working outside the elephant‟s habitat. Louie has been receiving protected contact training for years.
"She also expressed her best wishes to Mr. RedFox and his family. “We've received a tremendous outpouring of support from throughout the community, and we appreciate all the good thoughts.”
"Dr. Baker emphasizes that The Toledo Zoo‟s commitment to its elephant program remains as strong as ever, and that Louie is an integral part of that program. According to Dr. Baker, “Visitors have been asking us about Louie‟s future. I could not envision a circumstance in which Louie is no longer at the Zoo.”"
Labels: African elephant, Don RedFox, Dr. Anne Baker, elephant, Toledo Zoo
posted by Russ Williams at
11:10 AM
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