Trunks at ready for watery cool off

You know how it is when the sun beats down and you just have to cool off? Well, Latabe, the 15-year-old African elephant at the West Midland Safari Park at Bewdley is being given extra long showers to help her enjoy the heat.

Although the elephants at the park have access to a mud pool which is constantly topped up with water to ensure it never dries out, they do enjoy a pleasant cooling shower thanks to the efforts of their keepers. Elephant keeper Andy Plumb knows what they like best.

He has now extended their morning and night-time rituals to ensure each one lasts 15 minutes.

Bob Lawrence, director of wildlife at the park, said: "They do have a usual routine of a shower in the morning and at night but we are making these last a little longer at the moment. Like us they enjoy a cooling shower and also absolutely love being hosed down. We keep their mud bath topped up but they love this extra fun and like nothing better than to have their feet, stomachs and behind their ears washed.

"Because of the soaring temperatures we decided to extend the time we take on these showers to give them that little bit of extra fun.

"They really love it and look forward to their washdown routines," added Mr Lawrence.