WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2009
NEW YORK, NY
NEW YORK, NY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
'WELLINGTON HAS ARRIVED'
'WELLINGTON HAS ARRIVED'
To paraphrase the old children’s favorite . . . ‘Wellie’ the elephant packed his trunk and trundled off to . . . Mfuwe Lodge!
‘Wellie’ . . . or to give him his full name, ‘Wellington’, is the latest offspring of Mfuwe Lodge’s favorite elephant, ‘Wonky Tusk.’ Wonky Tusk has been a regular guest at Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia for a number of years, visiting every October and November to feast on the fallen fruits from the large ‘Wild Mango’ (Cordyla africana) tree in the lodge grounds. The fact that a safari lodge happens to surround this delicious food store is of no concern to her.
Why walk an extra few feet to go around the lodge when there are some nice steps and a tiled reception lobby to saunter through each day? Her family’s annual dining habits have been the focus of many a photograph, newsworthy article, and even a children’s book, but now the arrival of Wonky’s new baby ‘boy’ opens a new chapter!
At about 5.30AM on Halloween morning, a huge ‘elephant’ commotion came from the dense bush opposite the Mfuwe Lodge viewing deck. Trumpets and squeals preceded visions of many heavy, grey bodies rushing back and forth among the trees. Only once the racket settled down somewhat, spectators reported sighting a tiny, baby elephant in the company of old ‘Wonky Tusk.’
Speculation about her possible expectant state had been rife for a few weeks and “I told you so!” rang through the Lodge.
Amidst much delight, less than 48 hours after the ‘elephant’ commotion, Wonky and her family appeared at the lodge, accompanied by the bouncing baby boy, still not too confident of walking without tripping over his trunk.
In common with the rest of his family he made himself instantly at home, showing little interest or concern over all the clicking camera shutters and a considerable amount of “oohing and aahing”! Even the arrival of new guests from the airport did little to bother him or his proud mom. Wellie was totally focused on trying to negotiate climbing the Lodge steps, which first attempt proved to be a total failure.
In the week since his first visit, Wellie has returned every day, with mum, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and other family members in tow. Stair climbing has been mastered with the aid of a helpful trunk or two and a couple of gentle kicks from somewhat overlarge feet. Climbing down the steps is still somewhat comical, requiring a rather undignified use of an ample behind.
It looks as though Wellington (so named because of his arrival at the start of the rainy season, when rubber boots become fashionable footwear and the fact that the original Wellington also had a big nose), is now part of the Mfuwe Lodge family.
‘Wellie’ . . . or to give him his full name, ‘Wellington’, is the latest offspring of Mfuwe Lodge’s favorite elephant, ‘Wonky Tusk.’ Wonky Tusk has been a regular guest at Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia for a number of years, visiting every October and November to feast on the fallen fruits from the large ‘Wild Mango’ (Cordyla africana) tree in the lodge grounds. The fact that a safari lodge happens to surround this delicious food store is of no concern to her.
Why walk an extra few feet to go around the lodge when there are some nice steps and a tiled reception lobby to saunter through each day? Her family’s annual dining habits have been the focus of many a photograph, newsworthy article, and even a children’s book, but now the arrival of Wonky’s new baby ‘boy’ opens a new chapter!
At about 5.30AM on Halloween morning, a huge ‘elephant’ commotion came from the dense bush opposite the Mfuwe Lodge viewing deck. Trumpets and squeals preceded visions of many heavy, grey bodies rushing back and forth among the trees. Only once the racket settled down somewhat, spectators reported sighting a tiny, baby elephant in the company of old ‘Wonky Tusk.’
Speculation about her possible expectant state had been rife for a few weeks and “I told you so!” rang through the Lodge.
Amidst much delight, less than 48 hours after the ‘elephant’ commotion, Wonky and her family appeared at the lodge, accompanied by the bouncing baby boy, still not too confident of walking without tripping over his trunk.
In common with the rest of his family he made himself instantly at home, showing little interest or concern over all the clicking camera shutters and a considerable amount of “oohing and aahing”! Even the arrival of new guests from the airport did little to bother him or his proud mom. Wellie was totally focused on trying to negotiate climbing the Lodge steps, which first attempt proved to be a total failure.
In the week since his first visit, Wellie has returned every day, with mum, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and other family members in tow. Stair climbing has been mastered with the aid of a helpful trunk or two and a couple of gentle kicks from somewhat overlarge feet. Climbing down the steps is still somewhat comical, requiring a rather undignified use of an ample behind.
It looks as though Wellington (so named because of his arrival at the start of the rainy season, when rubber boots become fashionable footwear and the fact that the original Wellington also had a big nose), is now part of the Mfuwe Lodge family.
So remember, when checking in at Mfuwe Lodge reception, keep looking over your shoulder, you may not be the only guest with a heavy trunk!
2AFRIKA, INC. will keep you posted on this young fellows growing years!
2AFRIKA, INC. remains committed to 'Keeping Africa Affordable', 'Corporate Social Responsibility in Tourism' but most importantly, the comfort, security and safety of its valued passengers!
2AFRIKA, INC. will keep you posted on this young fellows growing years!
2AFRIKA, INC. remains committed to 'Keeping Africa Affordable', 'Corporate Social Responsibility in Tourism' but most importantly, the comfort, security and safety of its valued passengers!
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