AssetID: 54839508
Headline: RAW VIDEO: Cheers Big Ears! Thai The Elephant Turns 60
Caption: Houston Zoo’s effervescing elephant Thai is celebrating his 60th birthday on Monday 16 June, the day after Father’s Day. The pachyderm patriarch is the oldest breeding male elephant and the second-oldest male in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) population in North America. Thai’s life is a remarkable story of longevity, legacy and lots of personality. Of his 60 years, he has spent the last 45 years at Houston Zoo. Meaning he arrived there around the time Ronald Reagan was elected President. He is the father of six members of the Zoo’s herd (Tupelo, Joy, Tilly, Nelson, Teddy and Kirby) and grandfather to one (Winnie). In his six decades, Thailand (Thai is short for his full name) has defied the odds for male elephants who typically don’t live as long as females and has done so with an easy-going spirit which truly makes him one of kind. While adult males often prefer solitude, Thai has long been the central figure in the Zoo’s elephant family even sharing space with younger male elephants, elderly females and baby calves all of which are extremely rare for bull elephants - but this guy is an absolute gent. “He’ll blow raspberries at us when he wants food, a hose-down, or just a little more one-on-one time,” shares Kristin Windle, supervisor of elephants and one of Thai’s longtime keepers. “It never fails to make us laugh. It’s his way of asking, and it works every time!” In his golden years, his devoted animal care team works with the Zoo’s world-class veterinarians to create specialized care to treat several age-related conditions. His care includes daily medication for arthritis and multiple custom-designed exercise sessions each day to help maintain his mobility along with pre-chipped hay to help with digestion. “Every day with Thai is a gift,” says Windle. “He’s taught us so much about the needs and behavior of aging male elephants, and we tailor every aspect of his care to ensure he’s thriving at every stage of life.” Thai is not only an extraordinary elephant in terms of age but also an extraordinary dad. His legacy lives through his offspring and through the generations of guests, staff and animal lovers he’s inspired.
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