Petita, the Asian elephant, will be 51 years old next Saturday, August 26th. During this time, veterinarians and keepers have carried out enrichment activities, veterinary check-ups to keep the well-being of this elephant through a complete care protocol.

Elephants usually live around 60 years of life, so now  Petita is getting older and need some special care. On a daily basis, the team checks her weight, teeth, legs, eyes, digestive tract and mood. In addition, she has a varied diet with easy-to-digest foods such as fodder, fruit and vegetables to avoid possible intestinal obstructions.

In the case of having problems with their teeth, even the fodder is chopped so they can ingest the food easily. This care helps elephants achieve greater longevity. These animals are in danger of conservation and that is why they are part of the Threatened Species Reproduction Programme (EEP), promoted by EAZA.

To commemorate the birthday of the elephant, who was rejected by her herd because she did not have the beauty standards of the species, a Hindu Holi festival is carried out in the Asian area along with the others elephants of Terra Natura Benidorm. All together live in the meadows, an area of 18,000 square metres where they have ponds to bathe and cool off.

The celebration will start with the arrival of a Hindu animation group that will receive visitors at 11 am. Visitors will receive the traditional bindi, which according to Hindu culture symbolizes wisdom. Afterwards, when the bird of prey show ends, the offering of fruits and vegetables for Petita and her companion Kaiso will start.

Both elephants will receive a great dessert made by their keepers with apples, tomatoes and watermelons. After tasting this dessert, we´ll sing “Happy Birthday” to Petita and then, the Holi festival will take place, where more than 320 kilos of powders and 3,500 bottles of coloured water will be launched and we will use 10 cannons with coloured powders under pressure.

Petita’s story

Inicially, this Elephant was rejected by her herd due to her thinness, and according to the canons of her species, she was considered ugly; but then, in 2004, she arrived to Terra Natura Benidorm and she started to be inseparable with Kaiso, another female elephant.

Both elephants gradually became friends and Petita was fully integrated. So, mainly, this special festival is to commemorate Petita´s birthday and also the achievement of friendship and love against all rules.