First, let me say Happy New Year to everyone! Since Jewel’s dental procedure (see post An Elephant Goes to the Dentist…), we have had a lot going on around the Conrad Prebys Elephant Care Center at the San Diego Zoo’s Elephant Odyssey. Jewel and her best buddy, Tina, spend most of their days out in Yard 2 (not visible to the public) or Yard 3 (near the Elephant Care Center). Tina, always the bold explorer, easily moves around the new areas investigating everything, while Jewel is more cautious and takes her time. By the third day, they both moved around Yard 3 with comfort. On January 6, they got to spend their first day exploring Yard 1 (the largest area with the pool). Having acclimated to other yards, they both seemed comfortable fairly quickly. Tina even stepped into the pool and splashed around a bit.
Besides exploring their Elephant Odyssey home, they continue to spend fence time with all the other elephants. Everyone seems to have taken a real liking to Jewel, always approaching her slowly and gently. Since Tina is a bit more spirited, she has the occasional pushing competitions with the other elephants; but in general, everyone gets along great!
Here’s a funny moment that happened recently….Tina and Jewel were in Yard 2 and Ranchipur, our bull elephant, was in Yard 3. Ranchipur made his way to the fence line between the two yards. From my angle, I couldn’t see exactly what happened next, but it has to be one of two things: either Ranchi realized he didn’t know Tina and Jewel, or Tina reached through the cables and touched him. Either way, Ranchi turned and ran like a scared rabbit. So much for the big, tough male image! I have to say that I have never seen him move that fast. This is all part of elephant introductions, and hopefully he will realize Tina and Jewel are pretty and fun to be around.
Please stop by, say hello, and see the girls out in the yards!
Victoria Zahn is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Thanks for the great update on our new arrivals … well, not so new any more. I am so glad they are doing well. Hope to see them soon.
Now that would of been great to see!!! Considering how he behaved when his own son tried to get milk from him!!! But considering he is the daddy of how many total babies??? And has 3 DUE THIS SPRING!!! One would think he would be THRILLED to meet a couple of new women on the block!!! But he is the big chicken on the block!!! Wow and he is hundreds of pounds heavier than his “women” but afraid of them!!! I would so love to have a camera stuck on him for a day or two! That would be so grand!!! Is this gate kind of like the howdy gate for the panda’s?
Moderator’s note: I’m afraid you are getting our elephants mixed up. Ranchipur is at the Zoo, Mabu is the African bull elephant you are referring to that has sired several calves at the Wild Animal Park, 35 miles north of the Zoo.
thanks for the post Victoria! it was rather funny I must say. this was certainly a surprised and startled responce on the part of Ranchipur! I can just visualize him taking off at breakneck speed with his ears flapping in the breeze! LOL! maybe he got hit in the hind end by cupid’s arrow! a fleeting moment or a whirlwind romance!!! okay, okay, I’ll stop with the remarks. animals are funny sometimes when we least expect it………..!
Thank you so much for the update Victoria! I’ve been wondering about how the girls are doing, especially Jewel since her dental procedure. Its funny to hear about Ranchi running away from the girls
Thanks for the update. It is very much appreciated. I wish the Pittsburgh/Philly Zoos would provide similar updates on Kallie and Bette. They have posted nothing new in over five months.
Victoria, Thank you for the great update on Tina and Jewel. Isn’t it amazing that the other elephants are so gentle with Jewel; I’m sure they know she is recuperating and are looking out for her. And, it seems that Tina has quite a personality which is now able to bloom under your tender care. Thank you again for taking such great care of them.
Thank you for the update Victoria, great to hear the girls are adapting so well. And funny story about the scaredy cat male …lol! I guess he knows when he’s outnumbered!
I was at the zoo on the 5th and 7th, can’t believe I missed Tina and Jewel out in yard 1. I did get to see Sumithi, Devi, Tembo and Cha-Cha all together in yard 1. It was the first time I have seen the 4 of them together. It seemed like everyone was getting along.
Wonderful to have a new update on the girls. Though it may be to soon to say, but any improvement in Jewel’s weight?
Thank you for the update! How are the other elephant intros coming along? Has Tembo been introduced to any of the four who came from the park?
I’m so glad to hear that Tina and Jewel are having much better lives now. Thank you for the good care you are giving them. It is nice not to have to worry so much about them anymore. I just wish you could get Queenie, too.
I was just wondering about the girls and came here hoping there would be a blog entry. Thank you! Pictures soon?
lol thats funny about Ranchi..i read that he was tough lol thanks for the story..I am happy they are out and about…finally they get to enjoy being elephants
So happy to hear they are doing well, and aclimating to their surroundings more and more every day !
Thanx for the update, I was just thinking about them the other day. Thanx Victoria !!
Thanks, Victoria … loved to hear about the ‘girls’ … any chance of some videos or pix of all of the gang? I watch the ellie cam everyday, but would love to see the others too !!
Thank you again for the info, and for the infinite care you give to the ellies!
Oh and it would be fascinating to have a little more info about the daily schedules you and the ellies go thru … feeding, bathing, training, medical care, etc. Just what you all go thru on an ‘average’ day (if there is such a thing, when dealing with these beautiful creatures!) …
And Ranchi sounds delightful … any more stories???
Great to hear that the girls are happy. As for Ranchipur; I thought elephants were supposed to be scared of mice!
Thanks for sharing the story about Tina and Jewel! Love hearing about them.
if it is just barely 7:00 am there when I logged on just now– who could be taking a balloon ride already over the ellie’s? What time does the zoo open?
Moderator’s note: The Wild Animal Park opens at 9 a.m., but the Balloon Safari ride does test runs before opening.
Thanks for the updates Victoria, their news, is new to me, but I am thrilled that they can now live safely with caring people and elephant friends…fingers crossed for ueenies release , it would emotionally and psychologically shattering for her to remain behind and unhealthy…it was kind for their owner to allow the first girls to come together..perhaps he will find it in his heart to enable Queenie her retirement with her friends..too. thanks for your humerous and caring writing about such beautiful animals.
good luck..janette
Got to see all the elephants at Elephant Odyssey yesterday. It is a world class environment for elephants, and the elephant care center is HUGE. No wonder US Wildlife sent Tina and Jewel to have the care and attention they need at “elephant resort.” If one has to be in captivity, this is the place a lucky recovering elephant would want to be.
Congratuations to SDZ and everyone involved on a fantastic home for all the elephants in Elephant Odyssey and for an outstanding visitor experience. It is a must visit when at the SDZ.
Thank you for the update, Victoria. That’s so sweet about Jewel and the other elephants. They sound so welcoming and gentle with her. Would love to hear more about Tina. Sounds like she’s gonna shake up the herd! Looking forward to seeing them and all of the Elephant Odyssey ellies.
#20 Margaret – Glad to hear that you made it back home safely. Sounds like you had a whirlwind trip but you enjoyed it immensely!
Hi Victoria. I missed seeing you today on the E.O. Maybe tomorrow. Anyhow, I thoroughly enjoyed this blog! It was great seeing Jewel and Tina in Field #1 last week and so interesting seeing them conversing together in an amazing variety of chirps, squeaks,and woofs. It was really special seeing Tina repeatedly touching Jewell, as if to say “yes, youre still here with me and I’m here with you.” I’d loved to have see Ranchipur running away from the new girls. He’s the biggest fraidy-cat I’ve ever seen! Thanks always for the wonderful work you and your fellow keepers are doing!!
I imagine that Tina and Jewel still can’t believe what a loving and beautiful place they have come to finally in their lives. I so look forward to these updates and knowing that they will be happy and safe the rest of their lives.
I see that it is raining now. Is there ever a time that the Elephants and other animals are brought in because it is raining real hard or do the Elephants and other animals not mind the rain?
Moderator’s note: Each animal is different, but we have shelter for all to use if desired. Some enjoy the rain, others don’t!
On January 19th, 2010, around 2:30 p.m., Umgani, Khosi, and Ingadze, plus Moose and a couple of other youngsters were using one of the hills as a sliding board and seemed to be having a great time going to the top and sliding back down again. Even Mabu decided to come over to take over the spot for his very own sliding place. I grabbed my video camera and videotaped about 8 minutes of the action from the elephant cam so I could show it to my wife later. Most of the youngsters kept sliding with Mabu there and Ingadze was one of the last to leave. I’d venture to say they were really enjoying the rain! This is in response to #24. I just happened to be lucky enough to be watching the elephant cam at that time!
Sure sounds like the ellies had their very own slip-n-slide! What fun for you to catch on video!
Good to hear about the african group enjoying the rain.
Thank you so much for the loving care our girls Tina & Jewel are receiving. Is there any chance at all of getting a recent video of them outside?
How much time are they spending outside?? Do they like the pool?
I am so grateful that Jewel is doing well and that the other ele’s are liking her. LOL! That’s funny about Tina. Spunky one isn’t she?!
Victoria responds: Except for inclement weather, Tina and Jewel are out in one of the yards every day and most evenings. Because of introductions, they don’t go out into Yard 1 with the large pool. They do go in Yard 4 with the smaller wallow, but I have not seen them play in the water.
Wow nice pictures. Yard 1 Im surprized you could get picture of as one of the keepers announces elephants cannot be viewed. Good Job!
Earlier I was reading Tina and Jewel had been introduced to Yard 1 then 2 then 3 I wonder if theat was them in picture in yard 2? Sure wished there was another update soon.
If anyone is interested Davenport will be taken to court in May and we should hear something soon on Queenie (Tina and Jewel long lost companion). Will keep you posted.