Beco (pronounced BEE-ko) is the name of the baby elephant born March 27 at the Columbus Zoo. He will remain with his mother for the next several years and then is expected to be transferred to another zoo. This is the second male elephant Phoebe has given birth to at the Columbus Zoo.

Through the efforts of friends, we were able to arrange (Would "finagle" be a better word?) a behind-the-scenes tour of the Columbus Zoo. We expected about an hour in the primates area because the Columbus Zoo is well known for its work with primates. What we didn't know is that we would also get an up-close look at the pachyderm building (and the baby elephant) and the promotions building where we met some of the animals that have gone with zoo director emeritus Jack Hanna on television tours. Photography was somewhat restricted in the primates area to avoid upsetting the gorillas, but less restricted in the pachyderm building and in the promotions building.

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Bill Blinn > Behind the Scenes at the Columbus Zoo photo

Bill Blinn > The Columbus Zoo is known worldwide for its work with primates. According to Wikipedia, "On December 22, 1956, Colo, a Western lowland gorilla, became the world's first captive-born gorilla at the Columbus Zoo. She is the oldest gorilla in captivity, and in 2006 celebrated her 50th birthday. Colo's family is now very extended, with 1 child, 10 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren still living in zoos throughout the country. The Columbus Zoo currently houses 14 gorillas, 6 of which are related to Colo. Thanks in large part to the efforts with Colo, The Columbus Zoo has become a leader in breeding gorillas with 30 gorillas born at the zoo since 1956."

Watching these magnificent animals, their intelligence is immediately obvious. They clearly understand the concept of trading.

Bill Blinn > Beco (pronounced BEE-ko) is the name of the baby elephant born March 27 at the Columbus Zoo. He will remain with his mother for the next several years and then is expected to be transferred to another zoo. This is the second male elephant Phoebe has given birth to at the Columbus Zoo.

Bill Blinn > The elephants are both domesticated and intelligent. In some parts of the world, they are still used as pack animals.

Here, in captivity, Chloe (about 7000 pounds) and Beco (currently about 500 pounds, but gaining several pounds per day) regularly interact with zoo employees. When Beco tries to bump people the way he bumps his mother, Phoebe intervenes.

Beco (pronounced BEE-ko) is the name of the baby elephant born March 27 at the Columbus Zoo. He will remain with his mother for the next several years and then is expected to be transferred to another zoo. This is the second male elephant Phoebe has given birth to at the Columbus Zoo.