One Couple's Stumblings Through Parenthood and Marriage

Monday, May 04, 2009

War Elephant Preparations

On a recent trip to Discovery Kingdom we had the good fortune of seeing an elephant being hosed down for her afternoon bath. Julia was thrilled to be so close to the action.





















Her sisters soon joined her, and the elephant's trainer, oblivious to our presence, began to outfit the elephant for war. See that howdah on its back? That sucker can hold a half dozen spearmen or archers, not including the mahout with his goad.





















Unfortunately, we were spotted immediately after this photo, and I wasn't able to take pictures as the 'trainer' draped armored plates across the elephant's head, chest, and flanks,. Neither was I able to get any footage of the Carthaginian soldiers climbing on to her back.

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