Zoo Installs Treadmill To Exercise Fat Elephant

[matcom]

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THE Alaska Zoo in Anchorage is home to what is believed to be the world's first elephant treadmill.

The zoo took the unusual step of installing the 6m by 2 1/2m treadmill to help Maggie the elephant fight the battle of the bulge.
At last weigh-in in August 2004, Maggie tipped the scales at 4132kg - about 450kg overweight.

Zoo director Tex Edwards said the elephant could learn to use the treadmill to lose weight.

"Every time we've undertaken to teach Maggie something new she has always learned it faster than we anticipated," Mr Edwards said.

Zoo officials said one challenge facing captive elephants was making sure they exercised.

In the wild, African elephants spend their time foraging for food. To simulate that experience, Maggie now has to reach for her food.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,16602946-13762,00.html