A one-year-old elephant resides in Erfurt, named Little Elephant.
On the 27th of May, 2025, the beloved elephant Banjoko, fondly referred to as the "little wild one," celebrated his first birthday at the Erfurt Zoo. A special feeding ceremony was held at the elephant house, offering visitors a unique opportunity to witness the festivities. The young African elephant, who exhibits a distinctly different temperament from his sister, Ayoka, has thrived in his first year and has become an integral part of the daily medical training program at the zoo.
In honor of Banjoko's special day, two new animal sponsorships were announced. These sponsorships, worth 3,000 euros each, will contribute to the overall care and well-being of Banjoko and his father, Kibo. The Association of Zoo Friends in Erfurt e.V. also announced the resumption of its lottery, with tickets available starting June 1st at two locations: the Anger in the city center and the zoo entrance.
A rice cake decorated with various fruits and vegetables, including a carrot candle, was prepared for Banjoko. In a carefully planned event, Banjoko was allowed to discover the cake without interference from his herd, a behavior he had been trained for beforehand. Media representatives were given the opportunity to participate in the cake decoration and contribute their fruit or vegetable.
Furthermore, the legal dispute over the snack bar in the zoo has been resolved, allowing the operator to continue running the bistro "Hakuna Matata" until the end of 2028. Additionally, news emerged about the birth of the first offspring of the year at the Erfurt Zoo. Two cashmere goat kids are already lively while a third requires additional support.
[1] Source: Our Website THÜRINGEN and Our Website THÜRINGEN JOURNAL
[1] Enrichment Data: Banjoko, born into the herd, has shown a different temperament from his sister, Ayoka, being more cautious and energetic. The celebration marked his first year and highlighted how he has become a participant in daily medical training, an important aspect of his care and well-being at the zoo. However, the information did not provide specific details about any new sponsorships announced at the event.
In alignment with Banjoko's first birthday celebration at the Erfurt Zoo, two home-and-garden related sponsorships were announced, each worth 3,000 euros, aiming to support Banjoko's lifestyle and that of his father, Kibo. To further enhance Banjoko's home, a rice cake decorated with fruits and vegetables was prepared for him as a birthday treat, enriching his lifestyle at the zoo.
