WATCH: Israeli zoo elephants protect young during air-raid siren
Published May 25, 2021
What happens when an air-raid siren begins to wail at the Ramat Gan Safari Park in Israel?
In a video taken by Michal Levi during the recent 11-day barrage of missiles launched at Israel from Gaza, five females from the zoo’s herd of Asian elephants are circling one-year-old male calf Pele (Hebrew for “Wonder”).
They are clearly acting on an instinct to protect their young.
“This behavior is very moving for us to see, but it is quite typical of elephants,” the Safari spokesperson explained. “Elephants are animals that live together in a protective family.”
(Warning: the video below contains strong language in reaction to the nearby boom.)
The Gaza Strip is about 93 kilometers (58 miles) from Ramat Gan.
Although the elephants were unharmed, a rocket shard that fell on the Safari on May 15 lodged in the spine of a black macaque, who underwent surgery at the Israeli Wildlife Hospital based at the Safari Park. She is now recovered.
Under the direction of head veterinarian Dr. Igal Horowitz, the hospital also is caring for animals from other parts of Israel that were wounded by the missiles and brought for treatment by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.
One was a monk parrot that sustained wing fractures and a few burned feathers. Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Ariella Rosenzweig provided pain meds, fluids, a splint and bandage. Now the parrot, named Rocky by the staff, is under close surveillance and is expected to make a full recovery.