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Gianyar, Bali (Metrobali.com)-

Valentine’s Day is a day traditionally set aside to express love and affection for those we hold dear, which, for the folks at the Bali Safari and Marine Park, also includes the many animals that make their home at the 40-hectare facility. Not unsurprisingly, there was plenty of tender fondness to go around on Valentine’s day, February 14, 2016, when children from “Miftaful Falah” orphanages were invited to attend a special birthday party for “Valentine” – a “birthday girl” who is also an attractive 7-year-old Sumatran elephant.

Adding to the birthday festivities, the educational team at the Park arranged a fun-filled day for the children that included a vehicular tour through the animal kingdoms of Indonesia, India and Africa via the Safari Journey; a search for delectable fresh fruits surrounding the Inca Maya Exhibit; the fashioning of the harvested fruits into wonderful gifts; and attendance at the entertaining and educational Elephant Show that culminated at a special birthday party with Valentine.

Delighted with all the attention showered upon her on her birthday, Valentine literally devoured the gifts of fruit lovingly prepared earlier in the day by the children.

William Santoso, General Manager of the Bali Safari and Marine Park took special delight in witnessing the large group of orphans visiting and enjoying the many wonders on offer at the Park. “Who can’t help but be affected by the absolute joy and delight written on the face of these children? We hope that the chance to spend a day at our Park and join in Valentine’s birthday party the children will help form a special connection with the animal kingdom, transforming these kids into a coming generation that has a genuine care and concern for the world’s animals,” said Santoso.

Valentine is a female Sumatran elephant that was born at the Bali Safari and Marine Park on February 14, 2009, the offspring of her proud parents: Suciana and David. The successful breeding of endangered Asian Elephants forms part of a wide-ranging program of conservation and rare-species propagation undertaken by the Park with a number of species, including Asian elephants, orangutans, binturong, Sumatran tigers, Bali Starlings and others.

A Chance to Win a Stay at the Mara River Lodge

The celebration of Valentine’s birthday continues with the chance to win an overnight stay at the Mara River Safari Lodge, located inside the Park, by participating in the “Valentine Story Social Media Competition.” Simply follow, comment and share your valentine story

on Instagram @balisafari and Twitter @BaliSafari between the dates of February 14 and March 1, 2016, and win a chance to sleep in the Mara River Lodge surrounded Wild animal from Africa grazing just outside your window. RED-MB