Watch This Adorable Elephant Take an Underwater Nap Using His Trunk as a Snorkel at Texas Zoo

A heartwarming video captured a delightful moment at a Texas zoo, where a five-tonne Asian elephant named Colonel found a unique way to beat the heat.

Seeking relief from the scorching weather, Colonel submerged himself underwater in a splash pool, resembling a scuba diver, with his trunk as a snorkel.

The footage showcases Colonel, 29 years old and residing at Fort Worth Zoo’s off-site facility, comfortably lying on the pool floor, taking an underwater nap. To breathe, he cleverly pops his trunk out of the water, using it as a snorkel while he rests.

ADVERTISEMENT

In the video, Colonel playfully rolls around in the water, creating quite a splash, as he cools off in the 5-foot-deep pool. This endearing behavior is not surprising, as Asian elephants are known to have a fondness for water.

Image 5
An Asian elephant atΒ Fort Worth Zoo in Texas decided to take an underwater nap in his splash pool, inventively using his trunk as a snorkel

Although elephants swimming long distances between islands in Sri Lanka can be found in the wild, Colonel stands out by his unique poolside cat naps.

Christine Del Turco, the zoo’s elephant expert, expressed her observations, saying, “Asian elephants love water.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ever since he got used to getting in and out of the pool, he’s very comfortable, and he takes cat naps every day. He naps in a small splash pool for the elephants. It’s only 5 feet deep.”

Image 1
Colonel, 29, battles the scorching weather by fully submerging himself in his five-foot-deep splash pool to cool off

However, Christine revealed that Colonel’s swimming skills didn’t come naturally. It required some effort to encourage him to enter the pool initially. She shared, “It took me some coercion.

For four or five days, he’d splash himself on the edge of the pool. He wasn’t sure where the bottom was. I coaxed him in there with treats. Now, whenever he sees me, he’ll run into the pool.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Colonel has undoubtedly become a favorite among the zoo staff, including Christine, due to his well-mannered nature.

Image
The water-loving elephant also enjoys rolling around in his shallow pool at the zoo’s offsite facility, creating an enormous splash

She described him as a “really wonderful elephant to work with” and “our trimmest elephant.” Colonel enjoys exercise and often runs around, making his tranquil moments lying down even more special.

The heartwarming video was filmed at Fort Worth Zoo’s off-site facility, as the zoo is currently undergoing an extensive $100 million renovation known as “A Wilder Vision.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The project includes developing a new pool with over half a million gallons of water capacity. The upgraded facility will allow elephants like Colonel to go on swims and relax in shallow banks explicitly designed for their napping needs.

Image 2
Christine Del Turco, the zoo’s elephant expert, said that it took Colonel a while to get used to the water, as she used to have to coax him in ‘with treats’
ADVERTISEMENT

The renovation project, called Elephant Springs, is part of the four-phase plan aimed at tripling the size of the current elephant exhibit, providing ample space for Colonel and his herd to frolic and play.

The anticipated completion date for the renovations is next spring, transforming Fort Worth Zoo into a paradise for elephants.

ADVERTISEMENT

While Fort Worth Zoo is open to the public, visitors must reserve a time slot online due to quarantine restrictions before enjoying seeing these fantastic animals.

Image 3
Weighing a staggering five tonnes, Colonel is one of seven Asian elephants housed at Fort Worth Zoo
Image 4
Β Fort Worth Zoo is currently in the middle of aΒ $100million renovation plan, part of which will give Colonel and his herd more room to explore and play

Read more Elephant News.


ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Canidae Pet Food Reviews: An In-Depth Look

Choosing the right pet food is crucial for the health and well-being of our furry friends. In this blog post, we'll delve deep into Canidae pet food, a popular choice among pet owners, and provide an in-depth review based on various sources.

Canidae is a well-known brand in the pet food industry, offering a range of products designed to cater to pets of all ages, breeds, and sizes.

Product Range:

  • Canidae All-Life Stages (Dry): This vet-formulated product suits dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes. It's available in both dry and wet formulas.
  •  Canidae Pure: A limited-ingredient diet crafted for dogs with food sensitivities. Each recipe typically includes 7 to 10 ingredients.

Key Ingredients

The Canidae All Life Stages Multi Protein Formula, which represents the brand's product line, contains ingredients like chicken meal, turkey meal, brown rice, peas, oatmeal, and barley. Chicken meal, the primary ingredient, is a meat concentrate with nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

Recalls and Safety

Canidae has had recalls in the past. It's essential to stay updated with the brand's recall history to ensure your pet's safety.

Customer Reviews

The Canidae Dog Food product line has earned an overall rating of 4.5 stars from The Dog Food Advisor. The Canidae All Life Stages Dog Food has received the Advisor's second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars.

Pros and Cons:

  • Pros: High protein content, suitable for all life stages, contains beneficial ingredients like flaxseed and taurine.
  •  Cons: It contains some controversial ingredients, and not all minerals are chelated, which might affect absorption.

Conclusion

Canidae All Life Stages is a grain-inclusive dry dog food that uses a notable amount of named meat meals as its primary source of animal protein. With an above-average protein content and a profile suggesting a significant amount of meat, it comes highly recommended for pet owners.