When Janu the African elephant turned twenty last week, his keepers at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm knew they had to throw him a party worthy of such a milestone. The beloved giant, who has called the UK zoo home since 2014, received the ultimate birthday surprise: a massive ice lolly packed with all his favorite treats. The frozen feast was no ordinary popsicle though. It required a dustbin-sized container to hold the watermelon, apples, lemons, and carrots all frozen together into one enormous birthday treat.
Janu lives in Elephant Eden, the largest elephant habitat in the UK, where he enjoys rolling paddocks, heated indoor barns, and even his own swimming pool alongside three other elephants. As part of the European Endangered Species Programme, his home provides the perfect environment for African elephants to develop socially and display their natural behaviors safely. The twenty-year-old celebration was extra special because it highlighted the incredible care these magnificent creatures receive while contributing to conservation efforts. Watching Janu enjoy his fruity birthday surprise on a warm summer day proved that sometimes the simplest pleasures bring the greatest joy, whether you weigh several tons or just a few pounds.