Baylor and Tupelo in the Pool

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Visit the Houston Zoo’s website at http://www.houstonzoo.org Now that spring is approaching and the temperatures are slowly rising, kids all over Houston are starting to think about swimming and playing outside. The baby elephants at the Houston Zoo are no exception. Recently, the keepers gave Baylor and Tupelo a big kiddie pool. Now that Baylor weighs more than 1100 pounds and Tupelo weighs more than 600 pounds, the small, inflatable pools do not last longer than 5 minutes without getting popped. The babies now get a family size pool which is 120 inches in length and holds both calves. It is a lot more durable. This size pool lasts for about 5 uses before it has to be replaced. Playing in the pool is a fun enrichment activity for the babies and the pool is given to them when the weather allows. Pool time is unannounced and unplanned. Guests who happen to be in the area around the elephant deck at the right time get to enjoy watching the calves splash around in the pool. For those guests who want to see a guaranteed elephant bath, the keepers do bath everyday at 10am with a keeper chat at the barn windows. Read more on our elephant blog: http://houstonzooblogs.org/elephant/