Asian elephant
Did you know?
Asian elephants can eat up to 300 pounds of food in one day! That tends to wear out your teeth, so elephants have six sets of teeth that slowly grow and move from the back to the front of their mouth.
Discover elephants
Meet our elephants
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Caring for elderly elephants
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Our keepers and veterinarians provide the highest quality of care for Suki and Hanako.
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Elephant Manager Shannon Smith has cared for Suki, 54, and Hanako, 55, since they arrived here in the mid-1990s.
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Daily routine
Includes treats.
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Our elephants help by presenting their feet for inspection and cleaning, lifting their trunks and other behaviors that allow staff to identify any medical issues.
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Suki and Hanako also participate in routine exercise and enrichment, and regularly receive treats like watermelons.
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A safe home
For a long life.
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As an AZA-accredited zoo, we meet high standards of elephant care. We were a leader in pioneering the protected – or restricted – contact and positive reinforcement in elephant care.
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We are committed to providing the highest quality of care to Suki and Hanako throughout their lifetimes.
This is their home and always will be.
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Protecting Elephants
THE THREAT: Asian elephants are endangered in the wild. As a result of human poaching for their ivory tusks, as well as loss of their habitat due to human encroachment, their numbers are dwindling.
TAKE ACTION: Never buy wildlife products – especially ivory. Support laws that stop wildlife trafficking and catch poachers. This will help other species too, like rhinos, tigers and sharks.
Elephant Stories
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium keepers and veterinarians are experts at providing the highest quality of care for our two elderly Asian female elephants, Suki and Hanako. Elephant Manager Shannon Smith has cared for Suki, 54, and Hanako, 55, since they arrived here in the late-1990s, and has developed strong bonds with them. Our highly … Continued