Lion Country Safari 1972 Atlanta "The Elephants"

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When I was 18 and still in high school, Lion Country Safari came to the Atlanta area, and settled in Henry County, where I call home. I started at LCS literally on my 18th birthday. I immediately found myself drawn toward the elephants because they are such amazing animals with incredible intelligence. At the time African elephants were trained and handled somewhat rarely in captivity. In fact Moja, our first elephant had a terrible seven years of previous zoo captivity. She never had any contact with any other animals including humans, when she came to the LCS at 8 yrs old. Just a week or two before the park opened to the public Moja launched a full blown attack on me. I was rammed in five steps to full speed and knocked into the air. I landed on my feet and started running. I had no where to go and she was much faster. With my life flashing before my eyes, I saw a stick on the ground on about my fifth step running, and knew my only chance was to stop, stand, and face her. In my most powerful, and commanding voice, I commanded her to "STOP". She did, 6 inches from me with her trunk hanging cocked and curled inward and twitching. She was ready to finish what she started. I yelled loudly to back it up. She did nothing, I yelled it again even more assertive and she moved one step back. I knew then that I would survive. An incredible trust was then molded between us. In the video you will see that I continued to use a simple stick as opposed to the traditional elephant hook". I never had another problem with elephants.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Lion
• Country
• Safari
• African
• Elephants
• adventure
• nature
• wildlife