Tag Archives: Oregon Zoo

environmental news, national news

RIP, Packy the Elephant

Those of us of a certain age who grew up in the City of Roses — aka Portland, Ore. — are sad today with news that burst out of the Oregon Zoo.

Packy the Elephant is dead at the age of 54.

Big deal, you say? You bet it is.

Packy came into this world in April 1962. His birth at the time was heralded as the rarest of events. His mother Belle had gone into false labor, causing panic among zoo officials. Then came the real thing. Packy was born.

Packy’s birth became so big, in fact, that they hung a new name on a song that had played in the film “Hatari.” They called it “Packy’s Elephant Walk.”

Packy was one of several Asian elephants to be born at the zoo. I and others just like me watched Packy grow up. I didn’t get a chance to see him grow old, though, as my family and I moved away from Portland in 1984. Our sons, though, did see him — although they likely were too young to remember it today.

Packy was a star.

Still, some social media messages have disparaged the Oregon Zoo — once called the Portland Zoo and the Washington Park Zoo — for its treatment of pachyderms. Honestly, I don’t know what the hell those trolls are talking about. I long have considered the Oregon Zoo to be one of the better such attractions in the country.

And take my word for it: Packy the Elephant was a huge draw for visitors looking to see a bit of zoological history up close.

He had grown ill, as I understand it, in recent years. He suffered from recurring TB.

So, Packy’s time among us has ended.

I am saddened by this news.

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Move Packy out of Portland? Are you kidding?

Lily Tomlin doesn’t know who she’s messing with here.

The comedian and animal-rights activist has stepped in it big time with her demand that Portland, Ore.’s zoo send Packy the Elephant somewhere else to live out the rest of his life.

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/12/lily_tomlin_vs_oregon_zoo_poll.html#incart_m-rpt-2

The Oregonian newspaper did an online poll on the question of whether the Oregon Zoo should keep its elephants. The overwhelming majority of those responding to the admittedly non-scientific poll said the zoo should keep the elephants.

Let’s go back about, oh, 51 years. Portland is my hometown. I was very much aware of the world when Packy was born in my native city. He was the first elephant born in captivity in the United States in 44 years. His birth put Portland and its zoo on the international map.

Packy became an instant international celebrity. People came from around the world to gawk at the then-little guy. He has become synonymous with the zoo.

Packy is now 51 years of age. He figures to live a couple more decades. Portland isn’t going to give up its elephant population. And why should it? The beasts are pampered, babied and live incredibly sheltered lives at the Oregon Zoo.

Lily Tomlin means well and I don’t begrudge her for wanting what she believes is best for the zoo’s elephant family. But come on! Packy leave Portland? You can’t be serious.