More news for this week
Aucklanders remember Kashin 1968-2009
Remembering Kashin: Kashin during her 40th birthday celebrations.
From City Scene, published on 31 August, 2009.
Across Auckland and New Zealand, people have this week
shared their memories of Auckland Zoo's much loved 40-year-old female elephant,
Kashin, who sadly passed away on Monday.
With her love of people, food and lots of attention, Kashin
was very much an Auckland celebrity.
"She was a real icon of the zoo and of Auckland, and an
extraordinary advocate for wildlife and Auckland Zoo's conservation efforts. She
will be greatly missed by all," says Auckland Zoo Board chairperson, Councillor
Graeme Mulholland.
Kashin arrived in Auckland Zoo from Thailand in 1972 as a
four-year-old. Auckland Zoo's elephant team leader, Andrew Coers, described her
as "the matriarch, a gentle giant and very people-orientated".
He adds, "She was particularly fond of males. She loved
praise and attention, and could become very vocal when excited - with chirps,
squeaks, rumbles and roars.
"Her favourite thing was food - she would do almost
anything for food. As a real water-baby, she also loved swimming and her daily
scrub-downs."
Kashin was brought to Auckland Zoo with the assistance of
ASB Bank - but nearly didn't make it when the pilot of her jumbo jet plane
radioed in to say he was preparing for a crash landing!
Her name was also the result of the zoo's relationship with
ASB Bank - their iconic yellow elephant money box, created in 1964 - a play on
"cash-in", but which also meant "compassionate" in Hindi.
Mayor of Auckland city, Hon. John Banks, reflected, "Kashin
was a truly magnificent rolemodel for everything good about the modern Auckland
Zoo.
"I remember very well when she first arrived 36 years ago
and I've seen her often since.
As with everyone, she made me feel special. Kashin will be sorely missed."
A memorial service for Kashin is being held on Sunday,
30 August (10am - 2pm). Rain date: Saturday, 5 September.
For information visit the
Auckland Zoo website.
Kashin Elephant Conservation Fund
In memory of Kashin, Auckland Zoo, with the help of ASB
Bank, has established the
Kashin Elephant Conservation Fund, which will support
elephant conservation in the wild.
You can donate money at ASB Kashin moneyboxes
spread throughout the zoo; at any ASB branch; or via internet banking (Kashin
Elephant Conservation Fund account: 12-3205-0127076-00).
Real zoo icon: Apart from her love for food, Kashin loved people,
especially children, equally much. Kashin will be dearly missed, not only by
her caregivers and the staff at Auckland Zoo, but also by the greater
Auckland community. |
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