The Tange Technique for Showering (as shared by Caregivers)
As we mentioned in last week’s EleNote, showering and swimming are important facets of each elephant’s health care. Tange volunteered for a pretty thorough washing recently. Here is her step-by-step technique, as observed by her caregivers/shower aides:
Step 1: Locate a good water source…in this case a caregiver with a fire hose.
Step 2: Hydrate!
It’s hot out there! While drinking from a fire hose may sound intimidating to us, Tange can gulp two gallons at a time.
Step 3: Wash. Remember to get all those hard-to-reach areas.
Step 4: Rest
Step 5: Cover yourself in dirt
Step 6: REPEAT!
While it looks like fun, getting sprayed with the hose also helps to keep her skin healthy by removing dry, dead skin, and encouraging good circulation. As you can see in the photos, Tange has her entire habitat behind her and is in total control of how long her “shower” lasts. The water being used is actually water recycled from our rainwater catchment system. As the heat of summer carries on, sights like these will become more common.
Schmoozing with Shirley and Misty
Shirley and Misty have been spending a lot of time together recently. A part of the fabric of Sanctuary is an ability for these Girls to choose how to spend their time, and with whom. As naturally social animals, “schmoozing” with one another is an important part of their well-being. We recorded an hour’s worth of schmooze on a recent afternoon...watch for yourself: two friends, just passing the time together on a lovely Sanctuary afternoon.