24
Animal
magic
Mar/Apr 2015
A
It’s not just the range of animals on show
at Bali Safari & Marine Park, it’s the variety
of ways you can interact with them
shot rings out, the
elephant’s knees go weak
and the mighty beast
slumps unceremoniously
to the ground watched by
men armed with guns and
spears. The great creature
has lost its battle with the humans. Thankfully
on this occasion the elephant is back on
its feet in seconds, not the result of some
miracle cure but because the elephant
is playing a part in a show to highlight the
plight of the elephants in Sumatra and
around the world.
Essential Bali is at just one of the many
shows, exhibits, rides and attractions that
make up the Bali Safari and Marine Park.
We had some doubts about an elephant
show, expecting nothing but circus tricks,
but while they were in evidence they’re
utilised within a play that tells the story of
how elephants and humans used to live
side-by-side until humans started to erode
their habitat, causing a conflict. There’s
no doubt who the bad guys are here – it’s
us – but the strong message is that humans
and elephants can live together with some
thought, care and attention. We’re still
tossing up whether the elephants outacted
the incredibly enthusiastic humans.
Elephants are very much a star attraction
here – you can watch them bathe, feed
www.essential-bali.com
them and there was a baby elephant just
making its way onto solids when we visited.
You can even go for a safari on the back
of one. They’re also responsible for a rather
curious side attraction – the Safari Poo Paper.
Take elephant poo, dry it out, make it into a
pulp and then turn that into paper. You can
buy notebooks and cards to take home with
you. But there’s much more to this place than
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