Dec 10, 2008: Mango Express

SPUCK · 12-10-2008, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia happens to have been built next to a mango tree that one family of pachyderms have always visited when the fruit ripens. When they returned one year and found the luxury accommodation in the way, they simply walked through reception. The animals came in two-by-two: Hotel staff and visitors have gotten used to the elephants' impromptu strolls through reception

Now the family group, headed by matriarch Wonky Tusk, return every November to gorge on mangoes - up to four times a day. Andy Hogg, 44, director at the Bushcamp Company that runs the Lodge, has lived in South Luangwa National Park since 1982. In all his years of dealing with wild animals he has never seen such intimate interaction between man and beast. "This is the only place in the world where elephants freely get so close to humans," says the 44-year-old. "The elephants start coming through base camp in late November of each year to eat the mangoes from our trees. When they are ripe they come through and they stand about for four to six weeks coming back each day or second day to eat the mangoes."

In the 5,000 square mile national park, the Mfuwe Lodge consists of seven camps and the base camp where the elephants come through.

Cleanup in reception, STAT!

Aliantha · 12-10-2008, 05:03 AM

Awesome. Imagine being there and seeing that!

ZenGum · 12-10-2008, 07:32 AM

That is so amazingly cool. I want to buy that elephant a martini. I bet they charge extra during mango season.

"Waiter, there's a fly in my soup!"
"You think you got problems, mister?"

footfootfoot · 12-11-2008, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenGum

That is so amazingly cool. I want to buy that elephant a martini. I bet they charge extra during mango season.

Bartender: "We don't get many elephants around here."
Elephant: "And at these prices you aren't going to get many more."

onetrack · 12-26-2008, 01:49 AM

Hey! - Did ya hear the one about?? .. An elephant walked into a bar, and asked for a mango smoothie ......

spudcon · 12-10-2008, 08:09 AM

After seeing the third picture, I think I know how I lost my keys.

Coign · 12-10-2008, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spudcon

After seeing the third picture, I think I know how I lost my keys.

Naw, he was just checking into a room since he was already there.

sweetwater · 12-10-2008, 08:38 AM

Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia happens to have been built next to a mango tree that one family of pachyderms have always visited when the fruit ripens.
...
The elephants start coming through base camp in late November of each year to eat the mangoes from our trees.

Gotta love humans and their perspectives on things. As for me, if the elephants claim the trees, then they are their trees. I'm not going to stand in their way.

Shawnee123 · 12-10-2008, 09:52 AM

That is great. Why are elephants so darn cool?

dar512 · 12-10-2008, 10:10 AM

They've got nothin' to prove.

Shawnee123 · 12-10-2008, 10:18 AM

True, so true.

"I think I could turn and live with the elephants
They are so placid and self-contain'd"

With apologies to Whitman

ukamikanasi · 12-10-2008, 10:29 AM

Is it typical for places like this to have huge open doorways there? It just seems rather convenient, makes me wonder if there's more to the story.

Leokins · 12-10-2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukamikanasi

Is it typical for places like this to have huge open doorways there? It just seems rather convenient, makes me wonder if there's more to the story.

I bet they redecorated after the first few appearances of cartoon style, elephant shaped holes in the walls.

Aliantha · 12-10-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukamikanasi

Is it typical for places like this to have huge open doorways there? It just seems rather convenient, makes me wonder if there's more to the story.

In Australia a lot of the resorts are set up similarly to that with an open area rather than a closed foyer. Generally to allow the air flow.

I noticed it was very similar in Bali too. Not so much in NZ though.

Elspode · 12-10-2008, 07:00 PM

The American Way is to build a completely artificial structure in a hostile environment, totally enclosed and separate, then dare reality to fuck with it.

12-10-2008, 05:03 AM	#2
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Awesome. Imagine being there and seeing that! __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

12-10-2008, 07:32 AM	#3
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	That is so amazingly cool. I want to buy that elephant a martini. I bet they charge extra during mango season. "Waiter, there's a fly in my soup!" "You think you got problems, mister?" __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

12-26-2008, 01:49 AM	#5
onetrack Coronation Incarnate Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Western Australia Posts: 99	Hey! - Did ya hear the one about?? .. An elephant walked into a bar, and asked for a mango smoothie ...... __________________ Illiterate??? - Not a problem! Write today for more information!! ....

12-10-2008, 08:09 AM	#6
spudcon Beware of potatoes Join Date: May 2007 Location: Upstate NY, USA Posts: 2,078	After seeing the third picture, I think I know how I lost my keys. __________________ "I believe that being despised by the despicable is as good as being admired by the admirable."

12-10-2008, 08:38 AM	#8
sweetwater lives inside a Mobius strip Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,120	Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia happens to have been built next to a mango tree that one family of pachyderms have always visited when the fruit ripens. ... The elephants start coming through base camp in late November of each year to eat the mangoes from our trees. Gotta love humans and their perspectives on things. As for me, if the elephants claim the trees, then they are their trees. I'm not going to stand in their way. __________________ I knew I shoulda taken that left turn at Albuquerque! - Bugs Bunny

12-10-2008, 09:52 AM	#9
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	That is great. Why are elephants so darn cool? __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

12-10-2008, 10:10 AM	#10
dar512 dar512 is now Pete Zicato Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago suburb Posts: 4,968	They've got nothin' to prove. __________________ "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." -- Friedrich Schiller

12-10-2008, 10:18 AM	#11
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	True, so true. "I think I could turn and live with the elephants They are so placid and self-contain'd" With apologies to Whitman __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

12-10-2008, 10:29 AM	#12
ukamikanasi Complex Simpleton Join Date: May 2003 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 18	Is it typical for places like this to have huge open doorways there? It just seems rather convenient, makes me wonder if there's more to the story.

12-10-2008, 07:00 PM	#15
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	The American Way is to build a completely artificial structure in a hostile environment, totally enclosed and separate, then dare reality to fuck with it. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

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