While many zoo visitors might find elephants to be leisurely creatures, one resident of the African Lion Safari in Cambridge, Ontario, is breaking the mold.
Chuck, a six-year-old, 13-foot-tall elephant, has become a sensation thanks to his impressive basketball skills.
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Videos of Chuck dunking a basketball with ease using his trunk have captivated audiences and earned him a growing fanbase.
The athletic pachyderm’s talent has set him apart from the typical image of elephants grazing or tossing mud.
Born on July 15, 2008, Chuck is the first third-generation elephant calf born in North America. His birth marked the twelfth elephant born at the Ontario Zoo since 1991.
Chuck’s mother, Mali, originally came from the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York, while his father, Rex, was a resident of the African Lion Safari. Sadly, both of Chuck’s parents have since passed away.
Chuck maintains a vegan diet consisting of grass, roots, and the occasional piece of fruit, fueling his playful and athletic antics.
His unique ability to engage with basketball continues to bring joy to visitors and highlights the playful intelligence of elephants in captivity.
