A music-loving elephant called Five has been serenading its keepers at West Midlands Safari Park, after learning to play the harmonica.Published: 9:36AM BST 13 Aug 2009
The African elephant already loves music, but has found a new passion after a silver harmonica was accidentally left on the side of the enclosure.
She eventually got the hang of puffing out at the right time to produce a song, and now regularly places the instrument into her trunk and whiles away the afternoon playing a few tunes.
Wendy Jackson, spokeswoman from the park, said the elephants were extremely intelligent and Five was becoming better at playing as time went on.
She said: "It is very unusual for animals to actually get a sense of playing a tune.
"Five was really curious about it when it was left on the side - but everyone just thought she would lose interest after a few minutes.
"But she kept going with it, hitting a few notes before realising what it did.
"Five was making tunes within a few weeks- it really is amazing."
West Midland Safari Park has three African elephants, all of which were rescued from an elephant orphanage in 1998.
They boast a host of skills - with 17-year-old Five shooting to fame after picking up a paintbrush with her trunk producing a number of masterpieces.
The other female elephant at the park, Latabe, 16, loves nothing more than to kick a football around her and have fun.
Director of Wildlife at the Park Bob Lawrence said he had never seen anything like it.
He said the animals were always coming up with quirky ways to impress the keepers.
He added: "They love to spend time eating, strolling around and investigating their surroundings.
"It was amazing when Five picked up the harmonica and started to play it - both female elephants really love music.
"The keepers play rock music to them to soothe them when they are being groomed.
"They all seem to have a number of talents - it is quite extraordinary.
"Five keeps the other elephants amused with the tunes and she plays it for a few minutes or so before going off to do something else.
"I just can't wait to see what they are going to come up with next."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6020545/Elephant-learns-to-play-the-harmonica.html
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