Whipsnade Zoo’s elephantastic art

Karishma, a 14-year-old Asian elephant, used her trunk to decorate a number of wooden elephants which will be sold to raise funds for the z Zoo’s worldwide elephant conservation and research projects.

Elephant keeper Elizabeth Becker said: “Karishma really enjoys painting, and she’s very talented at it.

“It demonstrates just how dexterous elephant’s trunks really are and we think the end results are pretty amazing, if a little abstract!”

Karishma’s artwork was exhibited at the zoo last weekend alongside nine wooden elephants created and decorated by students from Central Beds College to represent each of Whipsnade’s nine elephants.

Visitors to the zoo at the weekend were also treated to a special elephant demonstration and even joined the gentle giants on their daily stroll around the hill-top site.

There was something for the whole family to enjoy as an action-packed diary of Asian-inspired activities and entertainment included a range of music and dance performances.

Kids got creative during hands-on workshops including mask-making, percussion lessons and chilli pot planting.

For more information, or to purchase tickets for fantastic future events, visit www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo.