Trunkline Magazine (Louisville Zoo) June 2018 - Page 11

Above: Mikki walking for daily exercise.
yard. If you have visited re-
cently, you may have already
noticed Mikki engaging in
fun and enriching physical
activities like standing on
her back legs to reach hay-
filled bags hanging from
the shade structure, bat-
ting around hanging tires
or even kicking her boomer
ball. This is part of Mikki's
focused exercise plan which,
in addition to increased
walking, also includes
training for behaviors to
help increase the strength
of her abdominal muscles,
as well as the dispersal of
enriching items like alfalfa
cubes, grapes and strawber-
ries throughout the entire
elephant habitat to encour-
age Mikki to exercise during
foraging. Not only will this
exercise help us manage
Mikki’s weight, but also
improves muscle strength to
help her during delivery.
Through the analysis of
Mikki’s hormone data, the
Zoo has concluded that she
conceived in October of
2017. Elephant gestation is
20 – 22 months. If all goes
as planned, she will likely
give birth sometime in mid-
to-late summer of 2019,
another special occasion to
add to the Zoo’s yearlong
50th Anniversary Celebra-
tion.
We’ll be providing you
with periodic updates
throughout Mikki’s preg-
nancy. Be sure to keep an
eye out for our Trunkline
Zoo News, E-newsletters
and social media channels.
Right: Mikki reaches for hay
hanging from the shade
structure.
Below: Close up of Mikki
after fun with hay.
Louisville Zoo Trunkline • Summer 2018 • 11