Gunda Marks Another Milestone

By Rick Wells, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Gunda has celebrated another birthday at the Tulsa Zoo.  She's a 58-year-old Asian elephant.  The Tulsa Zoo threw her a big party on Thursday with all the trimmings, including a delicious peanut butter, strawberry and broccoli cake.

The News On 6's Rick Wells served as the guest elephant keeper and presented Gunda with her cake.

At 58, Gunda's isn't the oldest Asian elephant in the U.S., but she's on the list.

"Once you hit 45, that's old for an elephant.  Beyond that, she's just making history," said Jessica Scallan with the Tulsa Zoo.

Gunda has been at the Tulsa Zoo longer than any other animal or person on the staff.

At an elephant birthday, the gifts and treats are:  pumpkins which they step on and apples and bananas which they can't get enough of.

Gunda came to the Tulsa Zoo in 1954 when she was four years old.

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