CALGARY, CANADA July 6, 2002: A 20-year-old elephant called Spike at Calgary Zoo has had his tusks fitted with stainless steel caps. The elephant, had cracked his left tusk while playing with tires. About one third of the tusk broke off and there was a split almost up to the jawline. The Asian elephant would have been in great pain — possibly even leading to death if the crack widened and got infected. Local organizations and businesses joined in to help the zoo protect Spike. The 31-pound, stainless steel tusk caps were designed using computer generated models at a donated cost estimated at around US$8,450. Vets sedated Spike and the caps were gently hammered onto tusks which had been filed down, and fixed with an adhesive.Though only the left tusk was damaged, his handlers decided both should be capped to keep the 12,000-pound mammal balanced.
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