It is an exciting time to be a part of the San Diego Zoo! Whether you are an employee, a Zoo member, or a guest, everyone is talking about the future opening of Elephant Odyssey, the Zoo’s newest exhibit. With just under two months before the grand opening, much is being done to prepare and train the elephants for their relocation.
Many people ask, “Why can’t we simply walk the elephants to their new exhibit?”
A great question! It does seem like it would be a lot easier to move the elephants by walking them from Elephant Mesa to the new exhibit space in Elephant Odyssey; however, one can encounter several potential problems. Health and safety are our biggest concerns when moving animals. We want to make sure that the animal being moved is in the safest situation as well as those who are working around her and those animals in nearby exhibits. All animals, domesticated, in zoos, or wild, react differently to unexpected situations, which could lead to a life-threatening injury. The only way to guarantee the safest possible scenario with all people and animals involved is in a controlled environment. In this case, our best controlled environment is with the use of a crate. When the elephants are crated, they are restricted from causing significant injuries to themselves or others.
Currently, the three elephants at the Zoo (Tembo, Sumithi, and Devi) have nearly completed their crate training. When visiting the elephants at the Zoo, you cannot miss the giant metal crate on exhibit. For the past year, all three elephants have been working with their keepers to become comfortable with entering into this crate for transportation. The idea of training an animal to walk into a crate sounds like an easy task at first, but in all actuality, it can be quite a challenge. Most animals do not like the idea of entering into an unfamiliar object, especially one which comes to a dead end. The fear of being trapped can overwhelm even the most domestic of pets, let alone a 9,000-pound elephant. Keepers have been working diligently with the elephants by taking one step at a time to gain the animals’ trust, ensure their success, and more importantly, their safety.
Training began the moment the “girls” saw the crate for the first time on exhibit. With both doors open on opposite ends of the crate, a sense of curiosity was observed on behalf of the three soon-to-be travelers when they explored the outer framework with their trunks. As a result of the keepers placing food items on and around the crate, the elephants quickly lost any possible apprehension of walking through.
The crates we are using have an outer solid door and an inner set of slide bars on both ends. When training the girls to enter into the crate with a dead end, we only use the slide bars, which allow for the elephant to see out and to receive consistent positive food reinforcement. Keepers use food favorites from the girls’ normal daily diet while training, such as raisins, watermelon, and alfalfa hay. Tembo, our most food-motivated elephant, to no one’s surprise appeared to be the most eager to work in the crate. In fact, at times, keepers needed to slow her down because she would anticipate and perform the actions before being asked the behavior.
Training both learned and unlearned behaviors is a never-ending task among all keepers. As a result, crate training will continue with the elephants up until the day they are transported into their new home. On that day, the girls will each be placed in their own crate just as they have experienced for the past several months during training. Once secured in the crate, the slide bars will be placed on the opposite end of the crate, and both outer solid doors can be easily shut, completely enclosing the animal with minimal impact and maximum safety. Within moments after being in the crate, we expect the elephants to arrive and calmly be released into their new exhibit at Elephant Odyssey!
The grand opening is scheduled for Memorial Day Weekend, but there is much more that will take place between now and then, including the initial introduction of the Asian elephants from the Wild Animal Park with our existing group at the Zoo. We are all anxiously awaiting this moment and look forward to sharing those experiences with you!
Mike Langridge is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
when will the ele’s from the park be moved? And has the Baby been named yest?
I have a question about the new exhibit. Will you be placing the elephants food up in the feeders like you do in their current enclosure? Is that what the “utili-trees” are for? If so that is a brilliant idea how you stimulate browsing, ratther than tossing the food onto the ground.
Mr. Middleton asked the question I’m looking to be answered as well: has the new African elephant calf got a name yet??? And how about some photos of the little guy?
Thanks!
Will the baby be moved in the same crate as his mom?
Moderator’s note: The newest baby elephant is an African elephant. It’s the Wild Animal Park’s Asian elephants that are moving to the Zoo’s Elephant Odyssey; the Park’s African elephants, including Mom and baby, will remain there.
interesting preparations I must say? you talk about the slide bars at either end, but have you closed the outer solid doors yet while they are in the crate? if not, won’t they panic when they can’t see out? is it necessary to also close these outer doors? wouldn’t they feel more secure as long as they can see out, or would they be more unsettled? just wondering! keep us informed!
Ah, I love elephants, so smart! I had to laugh when I read about a huge elephant eating (and loving!) tiny little raisins. How do those huge mouths even taste them? So cute.
what animals will be replacing the lions, jaguars and other animals their current exhibits? also what will happen to elephant mesa and who will have the elephant exhibit?
Is Elephant Mesa going to become part of the new Tiger exhibit that has been featured for the past few months?
Moderator’s note: The Tiger Trail exhibit will built at the Wild Animal Park; Elephant Mesa is at the Zoo. Plans are still underway for which animals will live in Elephant Mesa once the elephants move to Elephant Odyssey. It gets confusing, doesn’t it?
Sure does. Does the baby elephant have a name yet? It appears to be healthy, unlike the unfortunate circumstances with the baby born in 2008. So, it must be growing and needing a name for training right?
Moderator’s note: A name for the little elephant has not been finalized yet.
Responses to comments.
1. George Middleton. The elephants from the Wild Animal Park will be moved once the Elephant Odyssey exhibit passes its final safety inspections and, more importantly, when the elephants are comfortable for the move. Everything regarding training both at the Wild Animal Park and at the Zoo is going great and on schedule for the official grand opening on Memorial Weekend.
No official name for the baby African elephant at the Wild Animal Park has been released at this time. I am as anxious to hear a name as you!!! He is adorable!
2. Taylor. The “Utili Trees” are state-of-the art in their design and look like something out of the future!! They simply are amazing and will be serving a very important function! Yes, you are right in the fact that we will be able to feed the elephants from them and so much more! Each “Utili Tree” is equipped with two internal hay feeders, a remote-controlled winch that allows for keepers to hang a wide variety of puzzle feeders, heaters, and an irrigation system to minimize dust and cool elephants if they choose to get sprayed by the sprinklers. It is our hope to have the elephants utilize these trees randomly throughout the day, mimicking natural behaviors that can be observed in the wild.
I’m always fascinated by the training stories. It’s interesting to find out how animals learn, plus it’s information that we can apply in our own lives if we have pets. I’m training my cat in her travel crate/carrier now. We’re taking our time but it’s going well so far. Thanks for not only providing us with great information about the zoo’s animals and exhibits but for inspiring us to have improved interaction with the animals in our lives. My cat thanks you, too. We’re finding all kinds of new “enrichment” activities to keep her engaged and active, as well.
I hope all goes well when “moving day” arrives. I know the precious cargo is in good hands!
I was wondering when and how the animnal park elephants are moved to the Zoo? Also, since only the Asian elephants (Cha-Cha and Cookie) do the Park’s elphant show, does this mean there will be no more elephant show?? My 6 year old fell in love with All Things Elephant back when he saw Cha Cha do her “dance’ at the show a few years ago. We have a beloved stuffed “Cha-Cha” at home that is periodically called on to re-enact everything he’s seen the elephants do…this show has been the primary reason for his ongoing interest in conservation and helping wild animals in general!
Nancy
Responses to comments.
5. Nancy from Michigan. Great question! The elephants are aware of the solid doors on the crate. It is important to have to front doors completely closed due to their ability to reach out with their trunk. We are attempting to eliminate any chance of injury to the elephants and the staff assisting in their move. Without solid doors, there is no way to control their trunk from exploring and possibly injuring themself or others.
6. Michelle. I too am facinated by how such a small food item, like a small handful of raisins, can please an elephant’s palate. Animals never cease to amaze me!
7. Drew. I have not heard exactly what is going into the exhibits currently housing animals scheduled to move into the Elephant Odyssey. What has been discussed however, is that the current Elephant Mesa at the Zoo is going to be transformed into what is being called the Urban Jungle. The new and improved area will include lots of interactive experiences for all of our guests along with several different animals. Stay tuned!
11. Melissa. Thanks for the comment! The learning potential in all animals is truly remarkable. As long as the trainer is patient, consistant, and uses positive reinforcement, the possibilities are practically endless. Happy training!
12. Nancy L. Andon. The elephants from the Park are going to be moved the same way the elephants are being moved within the Zoo, via metal crates. The elephant show at the Park has stopped for some time now due to preparing the elephants for transportation to the Zoo. Once both groups of elephants have adjusted to their new home, there will be an entirely new and exciting interactive experience between guests and the elephants, along with the other animals living in Elephant Odyssey. It is really exciting to be a part of what is about to take place. I think people will be talking about their experience at the Zoo, and more specifically, the Elephant Odyssey, unlike anything ever before!