AZA Elephant TAG/SSP Elephant Information
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Meet AZA's Elephants
 Meet Thai
Thai was born in 1965 in Thailand; however he has called the Houston Zoo home for over 25 years. Before living at the Houston Zoo, he was owned by the Berry family and initially trained by Robert “Smokey” Jones. Thai was a performing elephant in his early days as part of an all bull act called “The Five Tuskers of Thailand”.
Thai weighs over 12,000 pounds and has beautiful tusks. He is a very good natured bull elephant. He is gentle with other elephants and has been the foundation for the Houston Zoo’s breeding program since 1983.
A Playful Pachyderm
Thai is managed in a protected contact environment. His training is very extensive including basic day to day husbandry procedures, exercises such as a ground sit, and more invasive procedures such as a lymph node biopsy. Thai is always eager to participate in daily training sessions and seems to really enjoy both the training and the attention from his keepers. When hoping for attention, he makes a loud “raspberry” sound and curls his trunk in his mouth. Some of his favorite food treats include watermelons and ice pops full of fruit.
 Thai enjoys fresh cut browse, especially tender pieces of bamboo and ginger. He will often hold onto a piece of bamboo for use as a back scratcher throughout the day! After a heavy rain, he covers his entire body with mud and scratches all over his exhibit. Thai takes pleasure in toys he can knock around including puzzle feeders, large balls, and tires. He also enjoys bobbing for apples!
Thai lives with Methai, who came to the Houston Zoo in 1981, and Shanti, who arrived in 2001. Mac, a 17 month old calf, is the offspring of Thai and Shanti. Mac really seems to enjoy stealing Thai’s hay and teasing him, which Thai takes in stride. Thai is very dominant over the other elephants in the herd, but at the same time generous
and patient.
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