The INDEPENDENT, April 6, 2006
Page 15
Oregon Zoo will celebrate Packy’s 44th birthday on April 8 and 9
Oregon Zoo is throwing an
elephant-sized party to cele-
brate the species that made it
famous. Elephantastic, which is
sponsored by Haggen Food &
Pharmacy, is a two-day cele-
bration of Asian elephants. The
event is slated for April 8 and 9,
from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to
coincide with the zoo’s most fa-
mous elephant’s (Packy) birth-
day.
“We decided that, since
Packy and the rest of the herd
are so well loved, they needed
not just one but two days to cel-
ebrate,” said Ore-
gon Zoo Director
Tony Vecchio.
Both days will
be filled with activi-
ties
such
as
games, crafts and
the ever-popular
fashion accessory,
elephant ears. A
special trunk show
featuring the ele-
phant artist Rama
is also planned.
The highlight of
the event will be
Packy’s 44th birth-
day party, Satur-
day, April 8, at 2:00
p.m.
Between
10:00 a.m. and
1:00 p.m. guests
can enter their
name in a drawing
to be one of four lucky winners
to help keepers deliver Packy’s
giant birthday cake. Packy’s
fans are invited to sing “Happy
Birthday” while the prestigious
pachyderm eats (or stomps on)
his cake. Packy’s party, which
is the longest-running event in
zoo history, has become a
great family tradition. And the
day wouldn’t be complete with-
out taking a moment to sign the
BIG guy’s birthday card.
Packy’s cake, baked by the
zoo’s own Chef Paul Warner, is
a 40-pound whole-wheat con-
coction topped with frosting,
apples, carrots and celery.
All guests are invited to
share free birthday cake begin-
ning at noon, courtesy of
Haggen Food & Pharmacy.
Packy, the first elephant
born in the Western Hemi-
sphere in more than 44 years,
was born on April 14, 1962,
making international news.
Gifts poured in, a song was
written in his honor and a radio
station sponsored a naming
contest. Gresham, Oregon res-
ident Wayne W. French submit-
ted the winning name.
Packy is the oldest and
largest male Asian elephant in
the United States; he stands
10’4” at the shoulder and his
average weight is 14,020
pounds. He has fathered seven
calves, including 22-year-old
Sung-Surin (“Sunshine”) and
23-year-old Rama, both of
whom currently live at the zoo.
On Sunday, April 9 at 1 p.m.,
Rama takes center stage as
the zoo celebrates his birthday
(belatedly) with a special cake
in the indoor gallery (Rama’s
birthday is April 1).
Elephantastic is free with
regular zoo admission. For
more information on the event,
visit http://www.oregonzoo.org
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Beef Rib Dinner (1/2 Rack)...............$6.00
Pork Rib Dinner (1/3 Rack)..............$8.00
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Full Rack Beef Ribs........................$10.00
1/3 Pork Ribs...................................$7.00
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(65+), children $6.50 (3-11),
and infants two and under are
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formation is available at
www.oregonzoo.org or by call-
ing 503-226-1561.
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/Events/elephantastic.htm
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