ELEPHANTS and LIONS

Today we got up at 5:30 to drive to the Zimbabwe Elephant Reserve. It is huge,thousands of acres. Mostly they rescue elephants whose mothers have been killed for their ivory tusks. Such a sad and devastating problem. Also, elephants that would die because of drought.
For years experts had agreed that the African Elephant could Not be domesticated like the Indian elephant. But they have been proved wrong, and we got to experience these magnificent mammals by riding them,petting and feeding them. They use only reward method, and these animals respond happily. Steve and I got to ride Doma, a large bull elephant. We rode through trails in the reserve, and the whole time, Doma's handler educated us on so many things..African AND elephant. It was a wonderful cool morning(for Zimbabwe), and we enjoyed every minute of it. We bought his footprint as a donation to the reserve.