Happy Birthday to Yossi: The Safari's famous elephant celebrates his 52nd birthday

During a special interview on Channel 14, Safari spokesperson Hila Feldman spoke about a moving event that took place recently: the 52nd birthday of the African elephant Yossi. According to her, this is a very respectable age for an African elephant, and she emphasized that Yossi is not just any elephant, but "the heaviest elephant in all the zoos in the world." The birthday celebrations marked the long and special life of the elephant, who was born and raised in the Israeli Safari.

Feldman elaborated on Yossi's life at the Safari, explaining that in the wild, elephants live much shorter lives due to numerous threats. She described the Safari as a "seven-star hotel" that provides Yossi with a safe environment free from predators or territorial wars, with access to healthy food. Yossi, whose weight reaches seven tons, feeds on large amounts of mixture and vegetables, and especially loves carrots.

The Safari spokesperson emphasized the intelligence and sensitivity of elephants and told of the special bond of trust between Yossi and his caretakers. She shared an unusual story in which a tire got stuck on Yossi's trunk, and the department manager, Guy, managed to saw it off with a small saw, without anesthesia, thanks to the deep trust between them. Feldman took the opportunity to call on the public to avoid riding elephants abroad, especially in Thailand, warning:

"They went through many, many circles of hell in order for him to be tamed."

In conclusion, Feldman invited the general public to visit the Safari, especially after the war period when it was closed. "Come to the Safari. We need you after we were closed for so long during the war," she said, adding that it is very pleasant and beautiful there. She emphasized the importance of visiting to support the conservation of the species and for the welfare of the animals at the site.