Water for Elephants and A Birthday Party for Penney

May 16, 2011

Did you know that the wildly popular book, Water for Elephants, has a Kansas City connection? The book's author, Sara Gruen, came to the Kansas City Zoo to observe the elephants.

Penney was apparently one of the inspirations for the book. She is the oldest elephant at the Kansas City Zoo, and she is turning 50 years old. Saturday, May 21, 2011 will be a special day at the zoo. It's Endangered Species Day. At 10:30, there will be a Cheetah Chase. At 11:00 a.m., Penney and her girlfriends, seven other female members of the herd, will be served special birthday cake. (Human attendees will be served cupcakes) Happy Birthday to Penney! Thanks for the years of enjoyment and education you have provided.

One last question, How do you eat an Elephant-sized birthday cake? You got it, one bite at a time.

Have a great week readers. 

Jean T.
North Indpendence Branch