Happy Elephant Appreciation Day! In order to celebrate both Asian and African elephants, see if you can tell which facts go with which pachy species.
Luk Chai Dribbles His Soccer-Playing Pachy Self Into My Heart
A soccer playing elephant?!
A soccer playing elephant?! Now I've heard of everything. Although his version is more of a dribble, dribble, smush, Luk Chai looks rather cute no matter what he's doing.
This baby Asian Elephant was born last month at Sydney's Taronga Zoo — home to another adoro pachyderm, hippo Monifa — and is already drawing quite the crowds. Keepers have equipped the babe with this ginormous soccer ball, but he needs a bit more practice to get the hang of the game. World Cup 2010 for Australia, perhaps?
Check out his kicking and climbing skills, along with bonus rope work and flower snacks, when you read more
Step, Step, Stumble For Taronga's Wacky Pachy
It's official — I'm a fan of the Taronga Zoo's latest babe.
It's official — I'm a fan of the Taronga Zoo's latest babe. Born on the Fourth of July (literally), the unnamed calf is already stumbling around his enclosure. Since the temps in Sydney have been averaging in the 50s, and he's just a few days old, he'll remain inside a special heated barn until he can go to the zoo's Wild Asia public display with parents, aunties and pals. 
If you're still lacking inspiration to name this newbie, check out the pictures of him as he learns to walk.
I can think of a couple adjectives to describe this pachyderm so see for yourself and read more
Hi There, Baby Elephant! What Shall We Call You?
Born to a former Bangkok street elephant, Thong Dee (and dad, Gung), this two-day-old babe is the first native-born elephant in Australia!
Born to a former Bangkok street elephant, Thong Dee (and dad, Gung), this two-day-old babe is the first native-born elephant in Australia! Already weighing in at 220 pounds, all he's lacking is a name.
For his historic birth, Sydney's Taronga Zoo is offering a naming contest for the little one. First off, no monikers that are too close to his parents or aunties' (Porntip, Pak Boon or Tong Ma) names and pick one that suggests joy or happiness. To make it easier to come up with a native Thai name, they've got a translator website . . . which is crazy addictive (as I've just spent quite a while trying to come up with a clever suggestion).
See more piccys of the tiny calf below!
World Watches Birth and First Steps of Elephant Via Internet
I love baby elephants!
I love baby elephants! Let's be honest here, I'm a fan of all baby animals, and can usually snuff out seriously adoro photos of newborns somewhere on the Internet. However, I normally don't catch the actual birth of one. That's exactly what happened in Belgium, where zookeepers broadcast the birth of an elephant online. You may not think many people would want to see a live birth (queasy stomachs especially), but check this out: over one million people tuned in, and after 38 hours of labor, welcomed baby Kai-Mook to the world!
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Weighing in at over 200 pounds, Kai-Mook finally took her first steps this week, and let me tell you, I'd be hard pressed to find anything sweeter than this. Check out the action in the MSNBC video above. Now everyone say "Awwwwww!"
Pimp Your Crib: Wild About Elephant Interiors
Maybe it's Dumbo, maybe it's Horton Hears a Who, or maybe it's all the trips to the local zoo, but little children love elephants.
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Maybe it's Dumbo, maybe it's Horton Hears a Who, or maybe it's all the trips to the local zoo, but little children love elephants.
The majestic animal's shape has become a staple in nursery decor in the past few years and even the most design conscious adults have to give the big guys some credit.
The elephant furnishings come in gender neutral color palates and classic, but fun shapes like this magnificent Eames Plastic Elephant by Vitra chair ($290). If you're trying to design on a smaller bag of peanuts, check out the beautiful Areaware Pico Elephant Pillow ($24) or one of the items below.
Cute Alert: Elephant and Dog Are BFFs
Meet Tara. She lives in an animal sanctuary in Tennessee.
Meet Tara. She lives in an animal sanctuary in Tennessee. Normally, she'd find another elephant as a BFF. That's how all the other elephants do it, anyway, "like best girlfriends," according to the woman who runs the sanctuary. But Tara? Her best friend is a stray dog (one of many who now call the sanctuary home) named Bella. They eat, drink, sleep, and play together. Even sweeter, when Bella suffered from a spinal-cord injury, Tara would not budge from her side until she was able to walk again. See for yourself folks, and I'd be surprised if you didn't shed a little tear . . .
Music Video: Rachael Yamagata Sings "Elephants"
I can remember first discovering Rachael Yamagata when she opened for Ray LaMontagne and instantly falling in love with her music (and her hair).
I can remember first discovering Rachael Yamagata when she opened for Ray LaMontagne and instantly falling in love with her music (and her hair). "Be Be Your Love" remains one of my favorite songs (it still gives me chills!) and gets a lot of playtime on my iPod.
She has a new single out, "Elephants," which will be included on her second full-length album, Elephants . . . Teeth Sinking Into Heart, out Oct. 7. The song starts out with delicate piano and surges into something more dramatic. The video for "Elephants" is desolate, and paired with her emotional lyrics about moving on from a relationship, the whole thing is pretty melancholic. If you're looking for a new break-up song, this would be it. You can catch Rachael live on the Hotel Cafe Tour this Fall, and to watch the video, just read more
What's Your Take: Where Should Jenny Go Now?
I know zoos are a tough topic for animal lovers, especially for large roaming mammals who need plenty of room to wander.
I know zoos are a tough topic for animal lovers, especially for large roaming mammals who need plenty of room to wander. Back in May when KeKe the African Elephant died, it was only 15 minutes before the first fax came in about Dallas Zoo's remaining elephant, Jenny, and where should she go now that her BFF was gone.
Although it's been decided she's going to Africam, a safari park near Puebla, Mexico, others (including "In Defense of Animals" and "Concerned Citizens for Jenny") want her to be sent to Tennessee's Elephant Sanctuary instead.
Still Checking Out the Circus?
Going to the circus when I was a kid was as American as apple pie – its talented animals and trapeze artists made a stop nearby almost every Summer.
Going to the circus when I was a kid was as American as apple pie – its talented animals and trapeze artists made a stop nearby almost every Summer. Now that I'm older (and wiser), I know that many of these animals live in deplorable conditions so when I read about the elephant who escaped from his big top duties and was found wandering into someone's Kansas yard, I was kind of surprised – there are traveling circuses still in operation?
I guess I just assumed they went the way of the dinosaur, but when I checked out the Ringling Brothers website, they have a whole slew of cities and dates for this year's shows! Places like Phoenix, San Diego, and Las Vegas! Do you still go to the circus when it hits your town?
