TOKYO: Crown Prince Akishino watched elephants being cared for and a show at the Ichihara Elephant Kingdom zoo in Ichihara, Chiba Prefecture, on Tuesday (May 19).
The crown prince serves as the president of the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The zoo is home to nine elephants — the largest number in the nation — including both Asian and African elephants.
When the elephants raised their trunks in a greeting, the crown prince returned the gesture with a Thai-style greeting, placing his hands together.
In the show he watched, an elephant held a brush with its trunk to paint.
The crown prince reportedly asked the staff, “How do you teach them to do that?” - The Yomiuri Shimbun
