The Elephant Bird (Aepyornis maximus), more specifically the Giant Elephant Bird, is a large extinct African bird. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2
Description[]
The elephant bird is a member of the ratite family, a group of flightless birds that also includes the Ostrich. It was one of the largest birds ever to exist, being up to 3m (9.8ft) tall and weighing up to 540kg (1200lbs). It is believed to have gotten its name based on legends of the Rukh, a large eagle-like bird that was strong enough to carry an elephant in flight. Although the elephant bird could not fly, it is possible that fragments of their eggs could have been attributed to a giant eagle.
Endemic to the African island of Madagascar, studies have suggested that the elephant bird may been nocturnal, using its developed sense of smell to find food. Although unclear, it has been suggested that it mainly ate fruit. Its eggs were some of the largest of any bird, being around 160 times larger than a chicken egg. The elephant bird is believed to have gone extinct at the end of the 10th century, as the result of human activity.
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
The elephant bird is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2 and was added as part of the Extinct Animals expansion pack. In Campaign and Challenge mode, it is available for adoption when a zoo reaches a rating of 2.5 stars.
The elephant bird is a Wetlands animal. Like all extinct wetlands animals, it requires a misty spring in order to be completely comfortable. Unusually for a wetlands animal, it is unable to swim.
 zootycoon.com Description
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| The elephant bird was the heaviest bird that ever lived. It became extinct about 350 years ago, possibly due to deforestation and colonization of its habitat. Although it wasn’t hunted, elephant bird eggshells found in fire remains suggest humans probably scrambled its eggs for breakfast. Explorer Marco Polo wrote of a giant bird that would pick up an elephant, fly into the air, and then drop it to its death. Although his story may have played a part in naming this bird, it was certainly a tall tale. Like the ostrich, the elephant bird was a ratite: It could not fly. |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- The elephant bird in Zoo Tycoon 2 bears a crest and appears to have distinct feathers. Real elephant birds most likely had a downy covering, like the related kiwi birds of New Zealand.