Capítulo 1: Chapter 567: The Observatory Cabin in the Cornfield
The serious head of the Sun Wukong pika turned back and forth, its tail twitching like it had been electrified.
The sight made the visitors laugh; pika animals are really too amusing! Not only are their expressions hilarious, but their whole beings are filled with humor.
Lin Hao, seeing Sun Wukong lazing around, suddenly remembered a question.
With the onset of summer, the climate in Linhai becomes hot and humid, vastly different from the highlands. Animals like pandas and macaques can go into the water to bathe and cool down, but how do pikas cool off? Seeing its comfortable demeanor now doesn't seem to show any signs of discomfort.
After asking Da Wu, he scratched his head: "Pikas probably shed their fur in summer? After shedding, it probably isn't as hot."
Hearing this, a female visitor nearby laughed, "The keeper said that not only does the pika pavilion have air conditioning in the back, but there are also cooling systems installed in the activity area. It's hot outside but cool inside, so the pikas are very comfortable. Plus, there's a UV sterilization system!"
"Oh, is that so!"
Hearing this knowledgeable visitor, Da Wu struck up a conversation.
It turns out this female visitor is a pika fan who used to visit the pikas in Xiyuan every holiday, but it was too far away.
Now that there are pikas in Linhai, living nearby in Lanhe City, coming to see the pikas has become much more convenient for her. Waiting for an hour or two at the pika pavilion was just to see the pikas come out for a bit and take some photos.
She spoke of pikas with a smiling face. Continuously praising the exhibition environment here, she had nothing but praise for Linhai Zoo!
...
After visiting the pikas, Lin Hao and the others strolled down to the elephant pavilion.
On the way to the elephant pavilion, they passed through a cornfield!
The corn was planted together with the rice and had grown lush by May.
A vast expanse of verdant corn stood tall in the field, its broad leaves unfurling, rustling in the wind like waves of green sea, creating a pleasing sight.
In front of the cornfield was a meandering river, the warm golden sunlight reflecting off the water, creating a sparkling effect. A gentle breeze brought a fresh scent, caressing the face.
Behind the cornfield stood a two-story bamboo house with Dai ethnic characteristics. Under the eaves of the second floor seemed to hang several strings of cured meat, and nearby were trees as tall as the bamboo house, creating a picturesque and rustic atmosphere.
Seeing such a beautiful, idyllic scene made one's mind wander, as if unknowingly arriving at the residence of a recluse, tending to fields at sunrise and drinking by the river at sunset!
Lin Hao was walking this path for the first time and was surprised, "Wow, when was this corn planted?"
Da Wu replied, "Yeah, besides the paddy field next to the alpacas, there's also a field of corn here."
Somewhat wistfully, "I really want to try what it tastes like when it matures. It's organic corn that hasn't been treated with pesticides. It must taste really good. I've eaten organic potatoes grown by the director at the Panda Restaurant before. The taste, tsk, was irresistible. Paired with delicious bamboo shoot soup, even gods would envy."
Lily said, "Magic, the director cast magic!"
Da Wu laughed, "A druid, right? He has a knack for cultivating crops!"
At the entrance of the path from the farm to the bamboo house, a conspicuous yellow warning sign with an elephant drawn on it read: "Frequent elephant activity in the area, passersby please take precautions."
Although it's a zoo, the sign coupled with the small house and farmland created an atmosphere of wild elephants roaming nearby.
Lin Hao eagerly said, "Let's go take a look!"
Walking through the cornfield, strolling down the path, hands could touch the green corn leaves on both sides, truly immersive.
Climbing the stairs to the second floor of the bamboo house.
From the balcony, one could clearly see elephants moving around in the activity area!
In the activity area, there was a structure like an arch from which water flowed down like a waterfall.
Falling into the broad pool below, it splashed up a white surge.
Currently, Ping Ping was joyfully playing in the water, its gray skin covered with a layer of water, glistening under the sun like sunscreen had been applied.
Moving forward, it submerged itself entirely under water.
Though what Ping Ping was doing under the water was unseen, the constant surging of waves on the surface let one imagine how it joyously shook its head and created waves with its massive body!
The visitors watched the elephants play in the water, expressing their delight and amazement.
Elephants fully submerging in the water needn't worry about drowning, thanks to a "valve" in their trunk that closes when drawing water.
Standing up in the pond, they ran a lap before returning.
Mei Ling, Mei Lan, and Bo Bo were also soaking in the pond!
A group of elephants enjoying a bath, with Bo Bo directly lying sideways in the water, appeared immensely comfortable.
In the summer heat, taking a dip and playing with water couldn't be more delightful, and the visitors shared in their happiness.
Da Wu jovially snapped a couple of photos, "That's perfect!"
Lin Hao, on the balcony, watched the scenery of elephants playing in water and wandered around the Observatory Cabin.
The Observatory Cabin wasn't just a viewing point but also a small exhibition. Science panels hung on the wall, and a two-meter-long, slightly yellowed ivory tusk displayed as an exhibit.
The enormous tusk was eye-catching at first glance!
A child was curiously touching it.
The ivory wasn't covered with a casing, and a sign below it stated: "This ivory is a model."
Lin Hao approached and instinctively touched the ivory, feeling it.
The exhibit panel next to it was specifically about ivory.
"What can elephants do with their ivory?"
Lin Hao guessed, "They must help elephants in fights."
Reading further, he discovered ivory had multiple uses!
Elephants can use their long tusks to dig through sand and soil to obtain salt and minerals or find underground water during dry seasons.
During severe droughts, when surface water like rivers dry up, elephants can use their tusks to dig holes several meters deep, waiting for underground water to slowly seep through. This ability to dig for underground water is very beneficial for elephants to survive dry seasons, and other animals also gather at these waterholes to drink after the elephants leave. If elephants were to go extinct, many animals might not survive the dry season.
Ivory can also help elephants break branches and peel bark off trees. Elephants have a preferred side for using their tusks, similar to how humans are left or right-handed.
Moreover, majestic ivory can also help male elephants win the hearts of females. When friends and family reunite after a long time, elephants also use their tusks to show excitement and happiness by clashing tusks.
Well, my thoughts were too superficial!
Lin Hao continued to read the panel, but the next content was somewhat somber.
More and more elephants are now born without tusks.
In environments without poaching, only 2%-4% of female African elephants grow without tusks.
But due to poaching, elephants with beautiful long tusks are cruelly killed. Male elephants' tusks are generally larger and heavier, so they are the primary targets of poachers.
After the mass killing of male elephants, poachers turned to the females. Females with tusks were killed, and those without tusks survived, gradually resulting in more tuskless offspring. The same is true for Asian elephants; those with tusks might be captured for labor, making tuskless cases even more apparent.
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