HOUSTON – A precocious child is something any parent can relate to, but it appears humans aren’t the only ones who have to deal with adventurous kids.
The newest addition to the Houston Zoo decided Wednesday she wanted to assert her independence.
Ed Wolff said his son, Jake, was visiting the elephant exhibit when Joy, a two-week old Asian elephant calf, decided she’d make a run for it. Jake's cellphone was recording as Joy wiggled out from under the lowest cable in the enclosure.
The video showed Joy scooting across the ground under the wire before she was able to get her feet back under her. Once upright, Joy made a dash down the line of the secondary fence while adoring onlookers enjoyed the baby’s newfound freedom.
Joy’s mom, 26-year-old Shanti, was not as thrilled. In the video, the elder elephant can be heard vocalizing her displeasure.
Zoo workers can also be heard calmly handling the situation, calling for handlers as soon as they notice Joy's less-than-graceful roll under the cable. They also ask the crowd to step back in order to keep from upsetting the mama elephant.
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Houston Zoo spokeswoman Jackie Wallace said Joy never escaped the secondary enclosure, and that keepers were able to get her back in the primary enclosure within minutes. The bouncy baby was not injured, Wallace said.
Joy was 305 pounds when she was born, and made her public debut five days later. Officials said that she’s been nursing well and is meeting weight goals.
