Packing My Bags

Just a quick one before I go away to Germany. I'm off to Hamburg Zoo for two weeks for an intensive elephant management course (Elephant School). I'm very excited as it will really help my training and enrichment programme for Boy. I've been sponsored by various European and American Zoos and also by some Zoo Keeper Associations. I've been amazed by the generosity and helpfulness of the people who have helped arrange this trip for me.

Boy has been working hard this week and is really good at standing still now - Steve will take over the training while I'm away. I think Boy will be a bit naughty for Steve, but I think they will get on together just fine.

The temperatures here are still really cold and we had our first snow on monday - I have included a picture, but you can't see the snow as it was just a few flakes. I'd imagine there will be a lot more snow over the next few weeks.

These are just a few random pictures:

Chopping food for Boy


Training for standing still

More standing still

I don't spend all my time poking elephants with sticks

Boy's trunk tip

жук attacking Steve with laser eyes

Leaves on the Koi Carp Pool

It is snowing very slightly in this picture

If you look very carefully you may be able to see at least one flake of snow

An Elephant Biscuit

Boy playing with a big cardboard tube filled with carrots

жук in pre-attack mode

Chinese Alligator

Common Boas