Trunk Show

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo celebrates 100 years of housing elephants at today’s Elephantennial. Director Steve Taylor promises lots of action -- despite the stars’ fondness for standing around and doing nothing. “They can look like big gray rocks,” he admits. The zoo’s three elephants -- Jo, Moshi, and Martika -- will each receive a ketchup-slathered chunk of ice filled with fruit and veggies. They’ll also pick up brushes with their trunks and make art. “They love new games,” says Taylor. “They’re very intelligent animals, and they love diversion in their day.” Taylor hopes the daylong event pumps up visitors for African Elephant Crossing, an exhibit due in 2010 that will quadruple the pachyderms’ habitat. “They’re fascinating animals,” he says. “We’d be much less of a zoo without them.”
Fri., July 27, 10 a.m.