HAMILTON, ONTARIO -- Journey to the African Lion Safari in Ontario, Canada and you'll see exotic animals from across the world. You'll also see three very special visitors from Syracuse.
Targa, Mali and Little Chuck have been staying in Canada temporarily while the Rosamond Gifford Zoo expands its own elephant preserve. Targa and her daughter Mali came here in 2006. Two years later Mali gave birth to Little Chuck who is a big hit with visitors. Little Chuck's namesake, Rosamond Gifford Zoo Director Chuck Doyle, says the Syracuse elephants fit right in with their Canadian counterparts.
"It's a real joy to see how happy and healthy they are up here," Doyle says.
One reason the elephants are so happy is that each eats up to 250 pounds of food each day. Doyle says the elephants also get a to swim in a large lake on the preserve each day. "They take long swims in their pond, go for long walks everyday, which keeps them in great physical shape and great mental shape they are busy all the time and that is terrific," he says.
What is also terrific is how close visitors to African Lion Safari can get to the elephants. Doyle says like people, Targa, Mali and Little Chuck each have unique personalities and are naturally curious.
"They like to walk up to people." Doyle says. "They are just as interested in you as you are in them. That's kind of nice because it shows there is a peacefulness to them."
Click here for more on Brandon's story from Hamilton.
