Zoo Miami | African and Asian Elephants

4-5-19

Yesterday, I visited Zoo Miami for the first time. I was very excited, as this zoo has been high on my "Must See" list for some time. Although I didn't get to see everything it had to offer, it certainly did not disappoint! I was more than happy with everything that I was able to see, including my most favorite animals: the elephants.

My clips of the African Elephants embody my belief in patience when it comes to filming animals, whether it be in captivity or in nature. When I first arrived at their exhibit, they were nearly out of sight, way back towards the edge of the enclosure. I walked a little down the road to watch some birds in an aviary for a few minutes before checking back in. Sure enough, they had come much closer, allowing me to get some better shots. I loved seeing them walk; there's something so majestic about their graceful and dainty but deliberate and powerful strides. Patience pays off!

My experience with the Zoo's male Asian Elephant, however, proved to be the total opposite. When I rounded the corner and passed the flora beside his exhibit, I was taken aback and absolutely exhilarated by how close he was! This video does not do the encounter justice. He was absolutely MASSIVE and I could not wrap my head around his size, even as I stood directly in front of him. Though Asian Elephants possess much smaller ears than their African counterparts, you can hear just how loud it was when this male slapped his ears against his body. It sounded like people wringing out a heavy tarp! His enormous tusks were quite impressive as well.

Elephants will never cease to impress me. They are so beautifully bizarre. They are nigh incomprehensible, with their sheer size, long "nose-arms," teeth jutting forward out of their mouths, and their fan-like ears. The very fact of their existence is incredible.

Aside: I love the design of Zoo Miami's enclosures; though they are not the most creative (and may be even a bit sparse), I love how every animal is just about eye-level with you, giving you the chance to see how big or small they truly are.