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Dances with Elephants, Part III - Still more elephants. 7/24/2006

I spent the weekend with the elephants. Looks like I’m getting to be a semi-regular there. 3 visits in a week. Little Mados is doing ok. I’ve worked on the design for the rig, and it looks like there’s going to be two rigs made up, if we can find the funds.

One will be a permanent rig, to be set up in the infirmary, which will be used for the elephants in the sanctuary. The other will be a portable lifting rig, for use in the jungle, in the rescue of wild elephants. The portable rig was an idea that came to me on Saturday night, playing around with some construction toys, and Legos. Telescoping legs, chain block, tackle, screw on pad feet. If anyone doesn’t know what I’m talking about, stay tuned. And who ever said being in touch with your inner child, or at least playing with toys, doesn’t pay off?

The day was hot and sunny, and the river certainly looked very inviting. Unfortunately, having neglected to bring a change of clothes with me, I refrained from jumping in. But I could just imagine how cold the water was.

I have just about finished the design for the lifting rig, and will be heading out tomorrow to see some suppliers about getting the materials priced up. Hopefully it won’t cost too much. The price of the rig is an issue, because it will entirely be a project funded by donations and contributions. The sanctuary doesn’t have the disposable funds for a project of this size, and approvals for a larger allocation of funds from the government will take too long. And little Mados is not going to wait for the wheels of government to start rolling.

Comments»

1. KY - 7/25/2006

that’s one hairy elephant

2. snooki - 7/25/2006

how do i get to kuala gandah elephant sanctuary?

3. bikerwannabe - 7/25/2006

Dude, lets talk once you know the total cost. We’ll see what we can do to raise the funds.

4. IB - 7/25/2006

Snark, let me know what the cost of the rigs will be when you get it and if you have trouble raising sufficient funds.

5. thesnark - 7/25/2006

KY : Baby elephants are born hairy, and gradually lose their hair as they get older, and their skin thickens.

Snooki : Check the myelephants.org website. Link is given in a previous post. If that fails, leave me a PM in the forum.

Bikerwannabe : I think Hmax has that in hand.

IB : You are just so precious. I owe you one.

6. hurricanemax - 7/25/2006

Bikerwannabe: The more fund raisers the better…if we can get the funds raised and should there be spare change leftover…they could jolly well be used to buy bananas, carrots, tapoicas, and juicy fruits for the elephants.
I tell ya man, feeding them by putting the fruit directly into the elephant’s mouth is an experience….I won’t describe in details, Try it yourself. You will be surprised!

7. thesnark - 7/25/2006

Bikerwannabe : Just remember to count your fingers after feeding the elephant.

8. Gary - 7/25/2006

Hephalumps now? Will woozles be next? Or is there some obscure Ducati connection I am not
seeing here?

But seriously, good luck with your project and fundraising. It is certainly a most worthy
cause.

Ride well,
=gc=

9. The Snark - 7/25/2006

Gary : As a matter of fact, there is an obscure Ducati connection going on here. First person with an all correct answer will receive a sanctuary bumper sticker in the post.

10. Gary - 7/26/2006

Well, of course we must be talking about the Ducati/Cagiva Elefant. This bike came in belt-drive sohc 900cc and 650cc
versions, and was the company’s first attempt at an Adventure Tourer. These were later replaced by the Cagiva Gran
Canyon, and currently by the Ducati Multi-Strada.

I’m not sure where the original Elefant inspiration came from, however. I never thought the elephant was the most
accurate animal analogue to the lithe and sporty L-twins from Bologna.

So, did I win?

Ride well,
=gc=

11. The Snark - 7/26/2006

Gary : Unfortunately, you didn’t get it right, although the Cagiva/Ducati connection is correct. I was not refering to the Cagiva Elefant.

12. Gary Charpentier - 7/28/2006

Well, isn’t anybody going to end the suspense?

Or am I going to have to spend some of my valuable time doing research?

A cursory search of the web yields no clues.

Snark, my friend, you may have to enlighten us here…

Ride well,
=gc=

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