(MH) – Elephants at the Zoo Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

scrapcat: This very special container has gone missing, and I can see where the area has been disturbed by our presence. Putting this cache to rest so the area can replenish itself. Thank you to all those who stopped by to visit.

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Hidden : 9/12/2012
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

This is the second cache in the series featuring interesting bits of Michigan History (MH).  Hopefully, it will be an easy find for you.  What's your best memory of the elephants and the zoo?  Have any pictures to share?



 
Elephants, with their big ears and curious trunks, are synonymous with zoos.  And, for 81 years, elephants played a popular role at the Detroit Zoological Gardens.  This ended in 2004 when, for humanitarian reasons, the last remaining elephants (Wanda and Winky) were sent to the PAWS’ sanctuary in San Andreas, CA. 

Do you remember?
  • Visitors to the zoo could ride Paulina the Elephant who had helped build the zoo, carrying heavy loads to construction sites. Workers estimated her hauling capacity was equal to 12 teams of draft horses.
  • When entering the zoo, you would see elephant footprints marking your path?  They traversed the zoo stopping at all the popular exhibits. 
  • Wearing your elephant key around your neck?  Plug the key in the little red box and a magical voice would tell you a story, some trivia, or play some music.
  • Sitting on the hot Baby elephant statue posing for pictures? You still can! 

 
The Detroit Zoo continues to this day to push for humanitarian efforts in moving elephants from zoos and into sanctuaries where they can travel as they do in the wild up to 25 miles per day, and live in large herds.

Special Thank You to WikidKriket, a docent at the Detroit Zoo, for factual and photo input!

Cache is outside the zoo and no admission is required.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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