Healthiest Birthday Cake Video: Erfurt's Top Pick for a Wholesome Five-Year-Old Bean's Birthday Treat
In the heart of Germany, the Erfurt Zoo is making headlines as its first Asian elephant, Ayoka, turns five. Born on August 5, 2020, Ayoka marked a significant milestone for the institution, being the first successful birth of an Asian elephant there[2].
Five years on, Ayoka continues to call Erfurt Zoo her home, with no reports of relocation or name changes[2]. This contrasts with another Asian elephant born in 2025 at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in the United States, which is a different individual[2][3].
The zoo's elephant family recently welcomed a new addition with the arrival of a one-year-old elephant named Banjoko. The enclosure now houses five pachyderms in total[1].
In a heartwarming gesture, employees of Funke Medien Thuringia built and donated a mobile for the elephants. The structure, made by tying several large tree trunks and two tires together, serves as both entertainment and a food dispenser for the elephants[1]. Accompanying the mobile was a cash donation of 555 euros, intended for Ayoka's birthday cake and the Thuringian Zoo[1].
The animal keepers prepared a cake for Ayoka, made of fruit and vegetables, which was quickly devoured by all five elephants in the enclosure[1]. The mobile, a surprise for Ayoka's birthday, also includes tires that can be filled with food, providing a fun and engaging way for the elephants to forage[1].
Employees of a local newspaper also contributed to the celebrations, donating a gift to celebrate Ayoka's birth[1]. The mobile and the cash donation are testaments to the community's love and support for Ayoka and the Thuringian Zoo.
As Ayoka continues to grow and thrive in her home at Erfurt Zoo, we look forward to more exciting milestones in her journey.
References:
- Funke Medien Thuringia
- Erfurt Zoo
- Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Ayoka's lifestyle in Erfurt Zoo, a home-and-garden of her own, remains unchanged, as she continues to share the enclosure with four other elephants. Pets at the zoo, like Ayoka and Banjoko, benefit from the generosity of the community, with a mobile structure donated by Funke Medien Thuringia employees serving as both entertainment and food dispenser.
