OREGON ZOO . PORTLAND, OREGON . WWW.OREGONZOO.ORG
Media's One Stop Resource Center
Press Kits
Press Releases
Image Library
Contact Us
Home
Packy's History
Packy Premier Press
Packy's Birthday News Release
OREGON ZOO CELEBRATES FAMOUS ELEPHANT'S 40th BIRTHDAY THROUGHOUT APRIL
PORTLAND, Ore.In 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth& Johnny Carson began hosting THE TONIGHT SHOW& Lawrence of Arabia was name Best Picture& AND on April 14th, Portland, Oregon became nationally renowned for the first Asian elephant born in the Western Hemisphere in more than 44 years. The baby elephant named Packy sparked a frenzy of celebration around the world - the famous pachyderm even graced the cover of LIFE magazine.
Now, Packy is grown up and turning 40! Zoo visitors will help celebrate this milestone throughout the month of April and on the distinguished elephant's birthday, Sunday, April 14th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The highlight of the social event of the animal kingdom occurs at 2 p.m. when the zoo presents Packy's birthday cake followed by the grand entrance of Packy. The fans are invited to sing Happy Birthday while the pachyderm eats (or stomps on) his cake. Packy's cake, baked by the zoos own Chef Paul Warner, is a 40-pound whole-wheat concoction topped with peanut butter frosting, apples, carrots, and celery. After Packy has finished his cake, everyone is invited to stop by the Albertson's canopy for a slice of their 4' x 8' people cake masterpiece they make each year.
Floppy elephant ears are the fashion statement of the day, and enhance the fun of dancing the Packy Shuffle. Visitors will meet costumed elephants Eliza and Elliot while they enjoy crafts and games. The day wouldn't be complete without taking a moment to sign the BIG guys birthday card.
In addition to the birthday festivities on April 14th, the community will attempt to raise $40,000 for elephant enrichment and conservation projects similar to the dime campaign of 1962 that allowed the Zoo to purchase Packy's parents, Belle and Thonglaw. Also, the community will engage in "40 Ways to Celebrate Packy's 40th Birthday" for the entire month of April. Some of the "40 Ways" include:
- Contribute clippings, stories, novelties (pins, stickers, etc.) related to Packy's life for the Commemorative Packy Scrapbook
- Compare your foot size to Packys
- Listen to elephant stories at Multnomah County Library reading (see website for list of dates and times)
- Put on a Packys (Pink Elephants on) Parade at your school or office
- Buy a Packy lapel pin
- Attend a special tasting of 40-year-old whiskey.
Log on to www.oregonzoo.org for the complete list of 40 Ways to Celebrate Packys 40th Birthday.
Packy's name came from a radio station naming contest won by Gresham, Oregon resident Wayne W. French. The prestigious pachyderm is the largest Asian elephant in the United States standing at 10'3" at the shoulder and tips the scales at 13,500 pounds. He is the father of seven calves, including 17-year old Sung-Surin (Sunshine) and 16-year old Rama, both of whom currently live at the zoo.
Packys Birthday Party is free with regular zoo admission. General admission is $7.50 (12-64), seniors $6 (65+), children $4.50 (3-11), and children under 3 are free.
FTP Instructions to Retrieve Images from our Server
ftp://ftp.oregonzoo.org/dist/zoo/marketing/
- Drag appropriate photo to your desk top Please click on the above link to receive a photo.
- If you have problems then:
1. Copy the above URL
2. Open Internet Explorer
3. Paste address into the address box
4. Click return
5. Drag appropriate photo to your desk top
This should work Problems? Please call Bill at 503-220-2448 or Linda at 503-220-5716