#Elephant Enclosure

[housepilled]

hilson coded jason isbell songs…save me..

[merlyn-bane]

current status: vibrating into Another Dimension™️ like a decade old laptop fan thinking about dinosaur enclosures for me and @meebles dino cowboy au

[laughing-thrush]

MY GIRL UMHA finally in her much needed upgrade! That’s how her inclosure started, had to take the sedum out bc aphids hatched out on it :( I’ll need to root it in treated soil and give it a month or two. + Ulu who got upgraded too.

[janeromeroshow]

i heard a lion roar today :)

[mapecl-stories]

[alucky316]

[funtomb]

how he's arriving to the multi.

[sosadraws]

"Please, know that if you want to take care of EULR units, you must satisfy their social needs. Keeping a single unit should be considered replika cruelty as they're highly social beings. Do your research.

In that same sense, please for the love of God, DON'T KEEP A MNHR UNIT IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN ENCLOSURE THAT IT'S AT THE VERY LEAST 400 SQUARE FEET WIDE, smaller enclosures doesn't provide the right amount of moving space, can lead to replika degradation and can be such a hazard for everyone around them as well as themselves. At least 60% of the MNHR related accidents happen because the replika has dificulty navigating small/cluttered spaces and ends up accidentally hitting or steping on a gestalt. As cute and calm as they may seem, it's important to be aware of the risks that come with handling them."

Thinking about those joke husbandry posts but like. For Replikas... Like.

If I see one more person posting about their ARAR unit hiding under their bed, or worse, digging a tunnel in the floor I'm going to scream. It's not funny or cute or whatever people online think. ARAR units only do that when they're *extremely* stressed. A well taken care of unit can be as social as any EULR and I'm tired of inexperienced hobbyist thinking just because ARAR units have been in the hobby for the longest that means whatever bullshit they told you when you got her was a substitute for DOING YOUR OWN RESEARCH.

Or maybe like.

The amount of people who get STAR or STCR units just because they're *cool* is giving those units a bad rep. STCR especially require an experienced keeper and extensive training early on otherwise they start to act out. They can be incredibly rewarding Replikas to have IF you take them seriously but 98% of people should not be buying one.

And while I'm here no one should own a FKLR unit. They belong in charge of a well maintained facility with plenty of staff for enrichment. Owning one is like owning a fucking tiger and I've never heard of anyone who has one keeping her for more than a few years before rehoming her or worse abandoning her on Leng.

[sunjoys]

omg i just realised my nearest zoo (where i basically spent my childhood) has love webcams for some of the animal enclosures... omg guys guess what im doing for the next few hours

[yanderecrazysie]

Twisted Zoo: Chapter 11

Prologue (beginning): here

Previous Chapter: here

Next Chapter: here

Note: THE TAGS BROKE AGAIN, I'M SO SORRY!

This is based on the stories of a keeper reader with the octotrio by @ashensgrotto and @merakiui

Also @twistedcece @cenatour @xiaopleasecomehome @bearshideout @koebishrimpuwu @vash-yuu @twstsandturns @help-whatdoimakemyusername @secret-potion @magmdnv @sunshine-for-serotonin @the-ace-reader @mel-star636 @silkkorchid @pamv11 @coffee-or-hot-cocoa @hrhqueenfox @goseew @luxthestrange @juno-of-wonderland @who-mst @despairingy-obsessed @lanxianschoenheit @ceramic-raven @m0063576 @kimdourden @rammylog @sushiperson @starshiningsirius @im-here-for-the-fun-of-it @the-monochrome-jester @owodi @girl-nahh-two @obeythehuman @berry-efoy @ivorette @the-broken-truth @losingmybrain @sxftiebee @queens-unheard-thoughts @medicine-san @strugglingsleeper @asdorlia @nightskylark @cashmerek @rocketstyx and @ryovel wanted to be tagged! Let me know if anyone else wants to be tagged for future chapters. If you no longer want to be tagged, please tell me! (I have removed the tags that weren’t working for me, apologies if yours was removed!)

Summary: You’re a brand new zookeeper at The Halfling Zoo- a place where half-animals live in captivity. Your job is simple- feed them and study them. Your main worry is that one of the more dangerous halflings might kill you. 

Unfortunately, that may become the least of your worries.

WARNINGS: yandere themes

Note: All characters are aged up, since there will be mature themes in future parts.

Also, I can’t promise I’ll finish this. I suck at finishing stories.

NOTE 2: Sorry that it took over a month to write this, but I needed inspiration + my new job is kicking my butt. It’s pretty short and bad but I didn’t have a lot of inspiration.

—-------------------------------------------------------

You were on your way to the birds’ enclosure when you heard your name being called. You turned around to see Crowley making his way towards you, one arm raised to flag you down. You hurried over to him.

“Yes, Mr. Crowley?”

As you drew closer, you could see the concern on his face. 

“I need you to come with me,” he said softly, leading the way to the aviary. You nodded and followed him, worry starting to consume you.

“Is everything okay?” you asked.

Mr. Crowley led you around to a side of the aviary you hadn’t been to before- a side that faced neither the employee entrance nor the zoo visitors. It took only a few seconds to realize why he had led you there.

The metal enclosure had been dented outwards, as though a lot of force had been applied to it from the inside. The seams were starting to split apart, artificial light from inside the enclosure peeking through the cracks. It looked like an elephant had been body-slamming the aviary’s walls.

“Wha- what happened?” you asked, stunned.

“We’ve had some… incidents recently. All of the halflings have been acting up more than usual and, as you can see, there’s been some damage to the aviary’s metal dome.”

“But the birds are so well-behaved!” you protested in shock.

“That’s the thing,” Mr. Crowley said gravely, “It seems to happen after your visits. The halflings become… agitated when you aren’t around.”

You couldn’t believe that the gentle, friendly birds had caused this kind of damage to a metal enclosure. And because of you? It was almost unthinkable.

“I don’t understand,” you said in a near whisper, “Why would they do this?”

Mr. Crowley sighed wearily, “Halflings form strong bonds, that’s why we have so many bonded species at this zoo. They will especially latch on to anyone who shows them true kindness. You clearly mean a lot to them and your absence upsets them.”

“I didn’t mean to cause any trouble,” you said, a pang of guilt tugging at your heartstrings.

“I know, and I don’t blame you,” Mr. Crowley reassured you, “But we need to find a solution.”

“Do you have any ideas?” you asked.

Mr. Crowley went silent and avoided eye contact. A thrill of apprehension shot up your spine but you willed it away. Mr. Crowley would never put you in danger, right?

“For now, just continue as normal,” Mr. Crowley replied, “We’ll work on fixing the enclosure.”

You nodded and the zoo director dismissed you with a careless wave. You hurried to the enclosure’s employee entrance and were disturbed to hear, instead of the usual quiet, the sounds of squawks and hoots and other cries. 

You stepped inside and were surprised by the scene you were met with. The halflings were clearly distressed: pacing in their cages and looking around wildly, feathers fluffed up in agitation. Even calm-and-collected Vil looked ruffled.

“Guys? Are you alright?” you called out softly.

Ace was first to respond, “Where were you?” he demanded to know, voice tinged with panic, “You’re late! You’ve never been late before!”

“I’m sorry, Ace,” you said, trying to sound as soothing as possible, “I was talking to Mr. Crowley about some… problems with the enclosure.”

Ace’s eyes narrowed dangerously, “Problems? What problems?”

“It’s nothing to worry about,” you said, feeling a little nervous by the intensity of his gaze. Glancing around, you could see that every bird halfling had their eyes trained on you.

Trey flew from his birdhouse to his perch, landing gracefully on the wooden perch and fixing you with a stern glare and saying, “You can’t disappear.”

You nodded, trying to calm them all down, “I understand. It won’t happen again.”

Vil stepped forward, his beautiful feathers out of place and ruffled. His eyes were narrowed and he was frowning as though disappointed in you, “You always leave us.”

You were overwhelmed by all of their intense gazes and you felt a lump form in your throat. “I’m here as often as I can be.”

Epel looked up at you with watery eyes, “We worry when you leave. Not safe out there.”

You forced a gentle smile to your lips, “I’m perfectly safe. And I’m here now. Let’s all calm down everyone, okay?”

Slowly, the halflings relaxed. Rook stopped pacing, Vil smoothed his feathers, and Trey flew back into his bird house. Even though the tension had mostly disappeared, the underlying worry and hint of possessiveness remained.

You turned to Deuce, who hadn’t spoken yet, but instead looked at you wistfully. “Are you doing okay, Deuce?” you asked.

Deuce’s eyes softened, but the troubled frown remained on his face, “I’m fine,” his voice was strained, “I missed you.”

Your heart ached, “I missed you too,”

Ace piped up in an annoyed tone, “Why can’t you just stay here with us?”

You blinked in surprise, “I have a life outside the zoo. I’m sorry, but I can’t stay here.”

It was Cater’s turn to speak, and the expression he gave you made your stomach twist unpleasantly, “You’re too good to stay with us halflings, mademoiselle? We do not have a life outside this zoo, but we deserve that, don’t we?”

“Wh-what? Of course not!” you spluttered.

“Then stay!” Epel whined, a tear sliding down his cheek.

“I- I can’t,” your voice came out in a whisper. You shook yourself and turned around, heading for the staff door,  “I’ll go get your meals…”

There was an eerie silence as you passed out their meals. Each of the halflings took their salads and set them aside, their appetites gone. The tension in the air was so thick you thought you might choke on it.

Finally, the time came for you to leave. As you turned towards the staff door, a hand grabbed the back of your shirt. You turned in surprise to find Riddle outside his enclosure, his pink feathers standing on end.

“Promise… you’ll come back.” Riddle choked out, fighting back tears.

You turned to him and gave him a gentle smile before pulling him into a hug. “Of course I’ll come back.”

“Promise!” he demanded.

“I promise.”

With the way they all looked at you, with victory and possessiveness, you halfway wondered if you had sold your soul with that promise.

[woso-dreamzzz]

End of the World V

Katie McCabe x Child!Reader

Caitlin Foord x Child!Reader

Summary: The last day in Australia

On the last day of your trip to Australia, you go to the zoo.

It's a whole day activity because it's a night flight.

It had been Caitlin's idea actually and she's why you sit in your pram. You don't usually get put into the pram now that you're not a baby but there's meant to be lots of walking today so Mammy had rented one out for you.

You're glad though because Australia is hot and you don't like hot because it makes you sweat a lot and then your clothes cling to you.

You don't like that at all.

So, you are glad for the pram because it's perfect to be pushed around in and still being able to see all the animals.

Mammy pushes you but Caitlin's the one who points out everything to you, crouching next to your pram and explaining things from the placards that are just out of sight from you.

"Elephant," Caitlin says to you, pointing out the animal.

"Lelephant."

"Elephant," She says again.

"Lelephant."

She smiles. "Close enough. Elephants have big trunks. They use it to pick up branches to eat. See?"

She points and you follow her finger to where the elephant is chewing on some leaves.

"It's big."

"It is."

You think for a moment.

The elephant is very big, massive even. It's got a big trunk and big feet and big tusks. It's very scary and you whine a little when it wanders closer to where you and the others are watching it.

You squeeze your eyes shut quickly. "I don't like the lelephants, Caitlin!"

"Okay, okay. Let's move on." She flips through the brochure and shows it to you. "Where do you want to go?"

"Erm...er..." Your eyes glance over the pictures before focusing on the little animal with red and white fur. "That one."

"You want to see the red pandas?" Caitlin asks and you nod.

"Yes, please, Caitlin."

Mammy laughs and starts wheeling you away.

You think the red pandas aren't as big as the elephants and giraffes and aren't as scary as the lions and rhinos. The red pandas look soft and sweet like Coopurr back home.

You're right. They do look soft and sweet and you tug a little bit at the straps keeping you in your pram.

Caitlin notices and she smiles. "Do you want to get out, kiddo?"

You freeze slightly at being addressed before you cautiously nod your head. You're unclipped and up in Caitlin's arms within seconds.

At first, you feel stiff and awkward in them but it's just Caitlin. It's not like she's a stranger so you relax into her, hands on her shoulder so you can push yourself a bit further away to see the red pandas clumsily wander around their enclosure.

"Do you like them, kiddo?" Mammy asks and you nod.

"They're cute and little."

"That's right. They are."

You don't know how long you stay waiting at the red pandas but it must be a while. You don't know why you like them but it must be because they look so huggable.

At home, Coopurr only tolerates hug for a little while before he's wiggling away to go do Coopurr things that you don't understand.

Red pandas seem a little clumsy though and one of them stays snoozing in the sun the entire time you're there. They must give good cuddles.

You don't really want to leave them but you still have to get to the airport so you have to leave.

Mammy goes off to the toilet before you leave while you sit in Caitlin's arms as she wanders around the giftshop.

"Hey, kiddo," She says," Do you want this?"

She's holding a doll.

You like dolls.

It's a doll with a little red panda on its arms and red panda themed clothes. It's very cute and you bite at your lip.

"We have to go," You whisper," If we're not ready when Mammy comes back, she might get annoyed."

"Katie won't get annoyed," Caitlin assures you," Do you want it?"

You bob your heads up and down. "Yes, please, Caitlin."

When Mammy comes out of the toilet, you've got your new doll and she easily takes you from Caitlin so she can fawn over it.

She coos over it and asks questions all the way back to the airport and all the way through boarding.

She's planning on fawning over it until you settle but your ears pop without warning and you shriek.

Pulling your hands away from your ears, you find that they haven't gone back to normal. They're all blocked and weird and they hurt.

So you start sobbing, tears spilling over your cheeks.

"Shh, shh," Katie says," It's okay. It's okay. Come here."

She unclips you and you crawl over to her, burying your face into her chest.

"Here," Caitlin says, passing over the blanket she was going to use for the flight," Use this."

[apsciencebydan]

Late last year I found some of S. Florida's tiny Schizomida whiptail scorpions and brought one home to my isopod enclosure. She still poking around in there!

Just a tiny wild dog with the usual number of legs, running at the feet of African elephants (also with the usual number of legs)🥹

[schmergo]

Today I learned a fact that kinda blew my mind, and I'm almost astonished I didn't know this before as someone whose chief interests include zoo animals, the U.S. Presidency, true crime, and D.C. history. What an opener, right? How could those topics possibly combine?

Well, buckle up and get ready to hear how negligent National Zoo leadership potentially could have killed a US President or started a local epidemic. Spoiler alert: They didn't. But only because luck was in their favor.

First, the part that I DID already know. In 2004, Lucy Spelman stepped down as the director of the National Zoo after a spate of controversial zoo incidents, including a string of unfortunate (and often preventable) animal deaths, misleading and missing zoo records, and other signs of negligence. The AZA even "tabled" renewing the National Zoo's accreditation for a year until they made some significant improvements. Spelman was also a vet and some of the cases she was accused of bungling happened at her own hands, not just under her supervision. It was a major disgrace for a zoo that was meant to represent the nation's capital.

I was in elementary school during these fraught years and I remember devouring articles about this in the newspaper, riveted with shock and dismay. Some of the deaths were just bad luck, but others were obviously negligent. The most infamous case was two red pandas killed by rat poison shallowly buried in their enclosures as a slapdash solution to the zoo's pest problem. A young zebra died of starvation and hypothermia after Spelman ordered the zebras' feed be cut in half, an orangutan was euthanized due to a recurrence of cancer that didn't exist (she actually had salmonella), a lion died after being administered over twice the usual amount of anesthetic, and more. I remember the names and details of these animals from when I first read these cases 20 years ago. But the one I'm talking about today is that of Nancy the elephant.

Nancy was a 46-year-old African elephant whose health had been steadily declining for several years. She suffered from a bone infection in her foot that seriously affected her mobility and quality of life. She had lost a lot of weight, she was fatigued, she even lay down at times. Nobody could be blamed for deciding to euthanize the obviously ill animal.

But they could be blamed for what was discovered in the necropsy after she was euthanized. While she did indeed have a diseased foot, the bone infection was only "moderate." Why, then, was she so obviously unwell? Her lungs had been destroyed by the effects of untreated tuberculosis. It was the tuberculosis, not the sore foot, that most contributed to her decline in health.

Here’s the scary part: nobody knows how long she'd had it because she hadn't been tested for tuberculosis, a known concern for zoo elephants, in TWO YEARS. All this despite the fact that it's MANDATORY for all zoo elephants to receive a tuberculosis test once per year-- and in fact, it was a National Zoo staff member who pushed for that reform in the first place. And the elephant was on Prednisone for her foot issues, which zoo staff noted in her records made her more vulnerable to illnesses like TB. In fact, none of the zoo's elephants had been tested recently, which meant any of them, including one who was pregnant, may have had tuberculosis, too.

There are documented cases of humans catching tuberculosis from elephants. Now, Nancy the elephant had bovine tuberculosis, which seems to be less contagious to humans and which elephants haven't so far spread to humans... BUT it has spread to humans from black rhinos, a fairly close relative, so it seems likely that elephants COULD spread it. It can also take a while for TB for incubate (and can also be latent without symptoms), especially for elephants, so the elephants OR keepers who were around Nancy were at serious risk for TB.

NOW HERE IS THE PART THAT I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT UNTIL TODAY:

Spelman actively tried to COVER UP the situation, potentially putting many more people at risk. The elephant house was closed to zoo guests, but they were only told it was for "renovations." (The actual renovations, incidentally, were to improve ventilation so that illness would be less likely to spread.)

A BBC news crew that came to film the elephants was asked to keep a healthy distance from the elephants for their emotional health and the crew's safety-- the explanation given was that the elephants' group dynamics had been thrown off by Nancy's death. Spelman instructed zoo staff not to mention the TB situation to the BBC crew and, if asked why Nancy died, they were to respond that it was for multiple reasons and that the official test results weren't all back yet.

And here's the most shocking part of all, the part that made me GASP out loud. Spelman still personally gave some special VIP behind-the-scenes tours of the elephant house during the months that the elephant house was closed, a time when the remaining elephant inhabitants could potentially still develop active TB.

One VIP who received an elephant house tour was PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON and five family members!!!!

BILL. CLINTON. THE GOSHDARN PRESIDENT.

While zoo staff says that the tour was deliberately distanced and nobody got close to an elephant, there are photos of Bill Clinton's nephew about a foot away from an elephant's trunk. You know, their nose. The part they can spread disease with. So, uh, definitely in the danger zone there.

Hillary Clinton's brother, Tony Rodham, was on the tour and he said that nobody in the party was warned about TB risk or asked if they had any medical conditions that might (a. make them susceptible to communicable disease, or (b. be contagious to the elephants. This is especially egregious because according to zoo guidelines, all behind-the-scenes tour participants MUST be asked these questions-- not just when there's a very real possibility of a TB outbreak at the zoo.

Fortunately, none of the zoo's other elephants OR keepers ever tested positive for tuberculosis. But it was certainly a close call! And imagine what would have happened if a US President caught TB from a close encounter with an elephant thanks to poorly managed zoo staff.

Presidents meet a lot of people. In fact, this zoo visit happened only 2 weeks before the inauguration of President George W. Bush, which Clinton attended. He very well could have started a TB outbreak there. Heck, TWO US Presidents could have been infected!

Now THAT is something I will be thinking about for a long time!

[mysteryshoptls]

Episode 7-149 Rhythmic Story

MARCH ALONGSIDE JAMIL!

Jamil: Now, we march! You all better not lose formation!

Kalim: Jamil sure looks like he's enjoying himself!

Jamil: Quiet, you! Move your feet, not your mouth!

Grim: Man, Jamil's actin' all high-and-mighty like a king or something.

Silver: Well, regardless, we should follow closely so as to not be left behind.

～FIRST PHASE END～

Jamil: Hey, you there! Your umbrella is tilted! Hold it more properly!

Kalim: My bad! I'll fix it now.

Vil: How far is this parade going? I'm absolutely drenched in sweat...

Sebek: Urk... What blazing heat. But, this is nothing!

Ortho: I have cooling sprays and water prepared for everyone. If you need it, let me know!

～SECOND PHASE END～

Grim: I don't wanna do this anymore～! It's so hooot, and I'm tiiired～!

Silver: We've certainly walked quite some while. How is Kalim doing up there in the front?

Kalim: Walking on my own two feet in a parade isn't too bad once in a while! Ahahah!

Sebek: Looks like he's completely fine. Guess it helps that he's from here.

Jamil: Alright, we've arrived! Close the umbrellas and bring the elephant to the elephant enclosure!

Requested by @kunoichi101.

[mapecl-stories]

The Captivity of an Elephant

The young elephant named Raja lived his entire life in captivity. From a young age, he was confined in a zoo, enduring the sad reality of his existence every day. Living in a small enclosure, far from his natural environment, brought him immense loneliness and sorrow.

Raja stood by the bars of his enclosure, watching the other elephants in the distance. Their majestic bodies and free movement reminded him of what was denied to him. His trunk, usually a versatile tool for interacting with other elephants, sadly found its way to his own tail instead.

The sight of Raja holding his tail was heartbreaking for zoo visitors, but none of them truly understood what the elephant was going through. Raja longed for companionship, for the touch and interaction with other elephants. But here, he was alone.

In his dreams, Raja could feel the memories of his former home – endless grasslands, lush green jungles, and the gentle flow of the river. But these memories were quickly overshadowed by the sad reality of his captivity.

Humans were the reason for Raja's suffering. It was humans who captured him and brought him into this confined space. Though they thought it was an appropriate environment for an elephant, they didn't realize they were robbing him of his essence and joy of life.

Raja could feel his soul slowly withering away. He yearned for freedom, adventure, and the company of his fellow elephants. He could hear the cries of other animals also suffering in captivity. The sad eyes of all the captives reflected the same desperation.

Yet, awareness of animal suffering began to grow. More and more people recognized the injustice and cruelty that animals endured in captivity. They fought for animals like Raja to have their right to a happy life.

One day, a group of animal advocates entered the zoo. They were determined to end Raja's suffering. They spoke to the authorities, requesting that the elephant be moved to a specialized facility where he could finally find freedom and companionship.

The request was granted, and Raja was taken to an elephant sanctuary. When he first felt the grass under his feet and smelled the scent of freedom in the air, he could hardly believe his happiness. Surrounded by other elephants, he finally found connection and solace.

Raja now became an example of the change that was possible. He helped animal advocates educate people and raise awareness about the suffering of captive animals. All animals have feelings, and they deserve to experience their freedom and happiness.

The fight was not over, but Raja now had a mission. He wanted to ensure that no elephant would have to endure the same painful path as he did. He wanted to be part of a world where animals were respected and protected in their natural habitats.

Raja had become an ambassador for animals in captivity. His story touched the hearts of many and inspired them to advocate for animal rights. From now on, he would fight not only for himself but also for all the other animals suffering in captivity.

And so, Raja, who once held his own tail in sadness, now stood strong and brave in defense of animals. It was time for the world to listen and take the needs of animals seriously, for all animals have the right to live their lives happily.