The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo conducted a drill on Wednesday to test equipment that was recently used to save an elephant's life.
The Wilgruen Elephant Center was built with the Colorado Springs community’s support as part of the Encounter Africa exhibit that opened in 2013. It's supposed to serve as a final home for several aging female African elephants.
It was outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment that would help address the inevitable complications that come with multi-ton animals that need medical assistance. A crane-and-hoist system that can lift a disabled elephant and a remote video surveillance system are among the equipment in the barn.
On New Year's Day that crane-and-hoist system was used to save the life of the zoo's 32-year-old elephant, Malaika.
Surveillance video showed that as Malaika was falling into a deep sleep, one of her legs wobbled causing her to lose her balance and fall. She was unable to get back up on her own.
Some elephants are able to lie down and get back up with no problem, but Malaika is one of many elephants that don’t ever lie down according to the zoo.
If an elephant can’t get up on its own and is down for too long, it can cause stress to its internal organs and can be fatal.
Although Zoo staff were able to successfully use the equipment to get her back on her feet, the hoist broke in the process.
As a result Cheyenne Mountain Zoo staff came up with a "Plan B" in case Malaika fell again. Colorado Springs Fire Department’s Heavy Rescue group has agreed to help.
On Wednesday multiple 2,000-pound sandbags were used simulate an elephant that needs assistance. The goal was to train staff on how to use the hoist more effectively to prevent equipment failure in the future.
CSFD personnel were supposed to be on hand to learn and hone their ‘Plan B,’ in case Zoo staff need assistance in the future. They were called out to a fire so could not attend.
However, since the accident, three shifts of the fire department’s Heavy Rescue group have trained at the Zoo to prepare for any future medical emergencies.
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s female elephant herd consists of Malaika (32 years old, 7,800 pounds), Kimba (40 years old, 9,600 pounds), Lucky (39 years old, 7,700 pounds), Jambo (35 years old, 8,400 pounds), Missy (48 years old, 8,200 pounds) and LouLou (35 years old, 6,800 pounds).
The median life expectancy for female African elephants in human care is 38.6 years. Missy is the 3rd oldest living elephant in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited organization.
