The guests were lined up with their cameras ready for photo opportunities, the birthday “cake” and “presents” were in place, and the birthday boy and his mother were eager for the festivities to start. And then it began to rain! Ever prepared, fellow visitors and I unfurled our umbrellas. A little bit of rain was not going to stop us from watching Vus’musi the African elephant sample his first birthday cake! Sadly for us, a little rain turned into a lot of rain, but for those with good rain gear and fortitude, little “Moose” put on quite a show on his birthday, February 23!

The birthday cake was made of carrots, elephant biscuits, and green peppers frozen in a block of ice, with a corncob sticking out of the top to symbolize the first-birthday candle. Moose, however, seemed unimpressed by his keepers’ culinary efforts. He quickly knocked the iced treat over with one swipe of his agile trunk, then dashed over to examine one of his presents, a pile of pine shavings! What fun he had rolling in the soft stuff, head first with his backside sticking straight up before collapsing on his side in delight, shavings clinging to his wet skin. Moose soon discovered another gift: a mound of clean dirt (is that an oxymoron?) brought in just for the occasion. Not only was it fun to roll around in—it was great for digging, too, as Moose energetically dug with first one front leg and then the other. Sometimes even a back leg joined in the action!

The Wild Animal Park is so pleased to have this little elephant calf growing up healthy, happy, and ever curious. We look forward to sharing many more birthdays with him!
Read more about all eight of our African elephants.
Watch video of the birthday party.

Debbie Andreen is the San Diego Zoo’s Web site editor.

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