Meet our newest elephant!
On the night of May 12, while the night-watch volunteers at the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park were doing the final week of watches on African elephant Swazi’s calf (born April 12, see post Newest Elephant Calf), Umoya decided it was time to have her second calf—one day earlier than a 21-month gestation (21 to 22 months is normal).
She didn’t give the keepers who were in that day any physical or behavioral signs that birth was impending, and her hormones had not dropped to birthing levels, so she was out with the rest of the herd in the main yard. The night-watch volunteer heard a big commotion (lots of trumpeting) around 8:15 in the main yard, and the elephants in the upper yards reacted by heading over to the cables and peering out into the darkness. It wasn’t until about 1:30 in the morning that Umoya and some of the others headed over to the cables where the lights allowed the night watcher to notice that Umoya had a little calf next to her. Seeing that Lutsandvo was next to his mother, Ndlulamitsi, it was now obvious that we had a new baby on the ground!
After some frantic phone calling, four of the keepers came in and were able to separate Umoya, Kami (her 2 1/2-year-old daughter), and her new calf into the upper yards to make observations a lot easier. The calf looked healthy, and successful nursing was soon observed. We also noticed that he was a boy. That makes all three calves born this year boys!
We never saw Umoya pass her placenta (which, according to data collected from all the other previous births we’ve had, normally occurs within four hours). As daylight approached, and the rest of the keepers came in, we moved the elephants around so that we could get access to the main yard. We scoured the main yard a couple of times, but we never found any sign of a passed placenta. Meanwhile, Umoya was nursing her calf, and for the most part, everything was fairly normal. He weighed in at 220 pounds (100 kilograms) the first morning. He lost a few kilograms the next day but was back up to birth weight by his fifth day. All of this was normal, as well as his total minutes of observed nursing during this time.
Our concern was mostly focused on Umoya because of her retained placenta and the complications that it could lead to. Giving her hormonal therapies over the first week didn’t produce the desired results we hoped for. Leaning on the experience gained from past experience, and in collaboration with our veterinary staff, it was decided to intervene and remove the placenta on May 21. With a procedure that involved a lot of different departments working together, and experts in various fields of study, the placenta was successfully removed through an incision just below her tail. It really couldn’t have gone more smoothly than it did, a credit to all the professionals in this organization who are truly dedicated to the animals under their care.
Mom and calf were soon reunited, and we continued to keep close watch on both of them. The calf started to lose weight over the next four days, so now our concern focused on him. His nursing totals were still very good: Umoya looked to be producing milk, and we expressed milk daily to make sure. But was it enough? The calf’s behavior also appeared more lethargic. If things continued in this trend, we were prepared to intervene if needed, from trying to supplement with bottle feedings to pulling the calf and hand rearing it.
Well, on May 25, he gained a kilogram in weight. He also looked better behaviorally. The next day he gained another kilogram in weight. Every day he gained a little more weight and looked better each day as well. He currently (as of June 1) weighs 225 pounds (102 kilograms)! Things are looking up for both of them. We even put Kami back in with Mom and calf during the day while the keepers observe them. We had to separate Kami temporarily: she was so persistent with trying to nurse off of Umoya that her mother would eventually give in, especially when she wasn’t feeling so well. We couldn’t afford to have Kami steal her brother’s milk, especially when it was imperative that he gain weight. She really is the “spoiled” child! Anyway, Mom seems to be able to keep her firstborn at bay now and dedicate her milk exclusively to her new son, so we’ll probably put them back together for good soon enough.
What’s the new guy like? Man, does he love water! He’ll guzzle it right from a hose and doesn’t care if you give him a bath while you’re doing it! He thinks his dad, Mabhulane, is pretty cool; he tries to nurse off of him like the other two youngsters do.
Sorry this post took so long getting out to the elephants’ adoring public. We’ve been very busy and not sure how this saga was going to play out. We hope to see you at the Wild Animal Park for the African Summer Festival celebrating these elephants!
Curtis Lehman is an animal care supervisor at the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park.
Watch our African elephant herd daily on Elephant Cam.
Congratulations on your newest baby boy! So glad things are going well. Three musketeers indeed!
Thanks, Curtis, for the complete write-up that you just posted. The whole staff can be proud of their accomplishments but it was nice to read such a complete description of all that you went through to give Moya the best of care. This means two of the three boys were actually born out in the big yard, Lutsandvo on Valentine’s Day being the first. Congratulations!
A wonderful blog, Curtis. I am so proud of all you keepers and the veterinary staff for your skill and dedication to these beautiful creatures !!
Thank you for the update. I was alittle nervous as I continued reading for fear something went amiss, but, all is well. Thank goodness. It is always soooo interesting to read about the happenings at the SD Zoo and the Wild LIfe park.
What wonderful news! So glad that things are looking up for the new addition.
That was one scary story and the ending is a huge relief!
“Umoya decided it was time to have her second calf”
Elephants can decide when to go into labor and just go? Even humans who decide when to go into labor can’t act on that decision without getting labor artificially induced, right?
“Our concern was mostly focused on Umoya because of her retained placenta and the complications that it could lead to. Giving her hormonal therapies over the first week didn’t produce the desired results we hoped for.”
Ow ow ow. Retained placentae can be lethal, right?
“Leaning on the experience gained from past experience, and in collaboration with our veterinary staff, it was decided to intervene and remove the placenta on May 21. With a procedure that involved a lot of different departments working together, and experts in various fields of study, the placenta was successfully removed through an incision just below her tail. It really couldn’t have gone more smoothly than it did, a credit to all the professionals in this organization who are truly dedicated to the animals under their care.”
It’s a credit to all the pros (including you!) and to Umoya herself because doesn’t this stuff not work without the patient cooperating?
“We had to separate Kami temporarily: she was so persistent with trying to nurse off of Umoya that her mother would eventually give in, especially when she wasn’t feeling so well. We couldn’t afford to have Kami steal her brother’s milk, especially when it was imperative that he gain weight. She really is the “spoiled” child! Anyway, Mom seems to be able to keep her firstborn at bay now and dedicate her milk exclusively to her new son, so we’ll probably put them back together for good soon enough.”
Phakamile can nurse from other elephants who actually lactate anyway, right?
“He thinks his dad, Mabhulane, is pretty cool; he tries to nurse off of him like the other two youngsters do.”
Did Phakamile teach them to do that? I remember when the “Meet the Elephants” bio for Mabhulane said *she* did that, before you changed it because more than 1 did that.
Great write up. Kept me in suspense. Thanks so much!!!!!!
Wow!!! 3 babies all within a few months! You guys totally must be doing something right not only with the elephants but with all your animals. You must lead above all other zoos for births!! Congrats on the baby!
What will WAP do with all the males when they start reaching maturity? Trade with other zoos so they can start their own herds?
Will there be a video of the procedure of removing the placenta? I watched Jewels dental surgery and the number of people it takes is incredible! It was very fascinating… Thanks!
Thanks for the update on Umoya and the missing placenta. I’m glad you were able to remove it without complications and I’m glad baby boy is doing better. I saw him last Friday and all 3 of this year’s calves seemed to be doing wonderfully. The 2 older boys kept wrestling.. It was adorable to watch.
You guys do such nice work! Congrats on the new boy and on your successful efforts to keep he and his mom healthy.
Awwww… congratulations SDWP, on your 220 lb bundle of joy !!!
zooborns posted an item under Facebook.com about Moya’s baby son. In order to give readers a more accurate description of the incident, I suggested they read Curtis blog on the http://www.sandiegozoo.org/elephantcam website where the African elephant webcam is located. Curtis description of the entire scenario from start to present is well done and much appreciated.
i had to go straight to the end as i was afraid of the outcome. whew!!!! I hope they both continue to do well. contratulation and thank you for all of your hard work!
I was really worried!! Thanks for the great update. 3 baby ellie boys! Whew!!
Hey, you all! Thanks for the update about Umoya and her new May calf! About time!! Just read the update, and it looks like everything is going good despite the scare that you all had with Umoya and her calf. Thank goodness everything is working out well for the both of them. Looks like that he loves that water, so don’t be surprised that he’s in that big pool before too much longer—SWIMMING!! Just saw the ellie cam, and there was a nice group of ellies, including one of the new calves with his mom. Looking for the new names for the April and May ellie calves real soon. Maybe we can vote for the names for those 2 little boys!
Well, gonna go for now. Will check back later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
PS: What’s the latest with Jewel and Tina at EO? Any new updates about Queenie, the ellie still stuck in Texas? Let us know!
I was briefly watching the elephant cam yesterday and I noticed that a Bull (who I could swear was Msholo) was with several female elephants including Lungile. Have some of the females been introduced to him? And are you going to breed them?
The pool in the inclosure seems not to have water in it a lot of the time. I know that it has to be cleaned often but now that it is getting very hot how often is the pool filled? Is it kept shallow because for all the babies?Thank you for all your info on the 3 musketeers!
” water– lookin for water” must go swimming! No water in the pool…
I have been watching the Elephant Cam today and I am very worried about the baby!! One of the other young Elephants keeps pushing it down and I am so afraid it is going to get hurt!!!! Where is the Mother and please Keepers, step in!!!!
Great!!
Typo – Lustandvo-Lustadnvo
I was worried about May baby, no vid and no blog. I was chewing my nails off every night! Glad to hear he’s well!
Moderator’s note: I’ve corrected the name’s spelling. Thanks, Joseph!
So happy things are going well with the newest “little” one. =)
will the Ellie’s be getting water in the pool today? It always look so sad empty..:(
Thanks for the update on Moya and her new son. I too like others who are interested in the elephants are curious as to why the pool has been empty so long. Since elephants drink large amounts is there other areas in the large yard where they can access water to drink?
I think the pool may not be filled because it can be a hazard to three newborn elephants. They aren’t born being the best swimmers…
There are places for them to drink. The pool is not necessary for that.
just saw one ellie walk down the pool steps, walk around, and come back up the steps as if to say’ hmm, I know there used to be water in here’
Poor little guy — sounds like a bit of a rough start for him and mom — so glad things are looking up for them. Please, please keep us posted on how they are — and hoping that continued good health follows them. Gosh — how fun to have 3 little boys playing in the yard — I really need to get out there later this summer and check them out!
It is amazing how tight and close the baby walks right under mama and she doesn’t stumble or mis step one time! He likes standing under her belly in the shadows!
That’s great news! Pretty amazing that it happen out on the grounds too. Here’s wishing the little guy a long and healthy life.
Hi! Was just on the elliecam, and there is water in the BIG POOL!! Yea!!! Now, all of the ellies can cool themselves off when they want to! How are all of the new babies doing, and how is the latest pregnant ellie mom doing? Let us know, ok? Have fun, you all!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
#23 Donna
There are numerous areas for them to drink fresh running water. They only drink from the big pool when it has just been filled; otherwise, they use it only to swim in or to cool off.
I watch the elephant cam every day at work and the elephants such an important part of my day (they always cheer me up) and I talk about their activities with my family even! You all do fantastic work and it is so very appreciated. These are such amazing creatures and I feel so lucky to be able to watch them play everyday in my office! Thank you again!
Happy to hear that you have 3 baby boys there! Keepers and staff must be very busy too.
It is great to hear the newest baby and his mom are doing well.
Thank you for taking good care of them.
You guys must be wizards, you’re expecting your fourth birth of 2010!
I noticed today that one of the baby Elephants spends alot of time alone and I do not see it nursing at all!! Very concerned about that little guy. Is he getting enough milk? Why is he alone so much??????
Moderator’s note: We haven’t heard of any problems, but your comment has been forwarded to our Elephant Team.
Thank you so much for the update on the newest baby boy. He is so much smaller than the last who I believe weighed 268 lbs at birth. It’s wonderful to hear that both he and Umoya are doing well now.
What time do the elephants go out into the big yard? Been looking at a mountain for a bit.
Moderator’s note: The herd has access to the big yard all night long, but we don’t have someone controlling the Cam all night long
I see Msholo alone right now, I swear it’s him. The elephant I’m watching is too big to be one of the ladies, but doesn’t have big enough tusks to be the proud papa Mabu.
Suggest the last camera operator at night be required to aim the camera toward the far end of the field so watchers can always have a view of the field the rest of the evening and early the next morning. It’s now 1:16 p.m.
Can’t help but worry about the new guy. He seems to lay down a lot and I don’t see the young females giving him the attention that they have given the other young ones.
A camera operator at 7:25 p.m. Great!! Was fun watching as she followed Lutsandvo running all the way across the yard to get to Dula at the further end of the yard. Great camera work.
Re 38. Moose is the only male in the yard besides Mabu. He is over 6 years old. I guarantee it is not Msholo. Sorry, the only male of any size. Of course there are 3 little boys, 4 months and younger!
#35 Roxanne
Sounds like you might be describing either Ingadze or Swazi’s baby, both of which are very independent and are often seen away from their mothers. Ingadze even more so, because we see him doing his own thing, and he doesn’t mind being away from the others as he searches for treats. They all nurse still, and we weigh the three newest babies every day or as much as possible for their first year. You’ll have to wait and see if their current independence is carried on as they develop their own personalities.
Thank you, Curtis Lehman, for your blogs describing the happenings at the African elephant enclosure at the WAP. I don’t understand the timing, but only 11 days after your last blog, someone put in a blog about the elephants at the zoo. I still think comments at the WAP should be about what can be seen at the WAP. The last time you did an excellent blog which I thoroughly enjoyed, but 2 days later someone replaced it with a different one. I really appreciate your responses to people about their concerns, if not immediately, you seem to get them all covered. Again, thanks ever so much.
Moderator’s note: We don’t have a separate category for Wild Animal Park elephants, Don. Instead, our blog section offers an “Elephants” category where all posts written about elephants, either at our Wild Animal Park, Zoo, or our partnership with Elephants Without Borders in Africa, are placed. No post is “replaced” by another; the newest post simply goes to the top of the category. It is our hope that readers enjoy learning about the herds at both facilities and about elephants living in Africa.
Have Umoya and her calf been given clean bills of health? Are they “out of the woods” yet?
“Re 38. Moose is the only male in the yard besides Mabu. He is over 6 years old. I guarantee it is not Msholo. Sorry, the only male of any size. Of course there are 3 little boys, 4 months and younger!”
Don’t forget Impunga and Ingadze! A whole 75% of the calves (6 out of
are male in this herd.
I heard that the herd is expecting its ninth baby later this year? Who’s the mother? Hope it’s either Samba or Lungile, they’re my favorites.
Spa day at WAP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoRYTWTOWPE
Mabu, proud papa of daughter Khosi, born to Umngani on 9-11-2006 and her brother Ingadze born 3-13-2009. Also papa of son Punga, born to Samba on 3-11-2007 and is due in January 2011. Also papa of daughter Kami, born to Moya on 9-19-2007 and her brother (to be named) on 5-12-2010. Also papa of son (to be named), born to first time mother Swazi on 4-12-2010. Also papa of son Lutsandvo, born to Dula on 2-14-2010. This was Dula’s second birth, she was pregnant when she arrived at the WAP and gave birth to first son Moose on 2-23-2004. Mabu is proud papa of 2 daughters and 5 sons, 3 of whom were born in a period of 90 days between 2-14-2010 and 5-12-2010. CONGRATULATIONS, MABU!
Mabu is a stud muffin for sure.
I am so glad the baby is now doing ok. It was worrisome for awhile. The caretakers at the Zoo are
really wonderful the way they knew what to do and just did what was necessary. SDZ is definetely
one of the world’s BEST ZOOs. It will be fun to watch him grow.
#45 Lisa B
The calf continues to gain weight, and Umoya’s incision continues to heal.
Thank you, ele-lover — adorable video. We loved it!
Thanks Curtis – #45.
Thank you so much Curtis for the excellent article about the newest baby ellie. And for all your updates. We sure appreciate it!!!
Nice article in today’s (June 18,2010) San Diego Union Tribune, with 2 pictures in color, about the San Diego Zoo’s successes with their family of African elephants. Very thorough and well written. Keepers and those responsible for the care and upkeep of these elephants should read, as well as anyone who can get hold of a copy. Congratulations to everyone involved in this fantastic accomplishment!
Thanks, Don!
Aww, Impunga already has tusks.
=
Also, I saw this in the comments and wonder if it’s true:
“One of the reasons that the WAP has more male calves born compared to females because when times are good (food and water on a regular and consistent schedule) more males are born. To get more female calves the females need more stress (scarce food and water). This phenomena has been observed in a number of species not just elephants. Since the WAP isn’t going to intentionally stress their animals they are going to have a higher than normal male to female birth rate.”
Interesting!
Congratulations on the new viewing area directlly behind the swimming pool. It is beautiful, has some shade and was a wonderful surprise to find. We could see some activity on the elephantcam but had no idea what a beautiful finished product you had produced. We came to the park today to investigate what all the activity was about and were very pleased with what we found.
Have noticed on and on a few times this past week that some of the herd are not in the main yard. I was wondering why they are separated from the rest?
Moderator’s note: The elephants move in and out of the yard, and sometimes keepers do training sessions with a few at a time.
I am just so happy and grateful that the elephant population has increased by 2 more this year and that we have your description of just how that happened. Thank you. Keep up the great work of care and elephant love.
Thank you to the moderator who addressed my concerns about the newest baby!! I hope he keeps gaining weight, as well as all the babies!!
Re 61. I think you missed one. There were 3 baby boys born between February 14 and May 12 which includes April 12. Dula had Lutsandvo on February 14, Swazi’s was born on April 12, and Moya’s was born on May 12.
great camera work – Sunday 7:00 p.m. ish!!!
Happy Father’s Day Mabhulane and all the fathers among the staff who take care of you!
“I am just so happy and grateful that the elephant population has increased by 2 more this year and that we have your description of just how that happened.”
No, it’s increased by FOUR (4) more! Msholo has been moved to the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, and there were THREE (3) births, Lutsandvo and his two little brothers yet to be named.
Will Swazi’s and Moya’s sons be receiving their names soon?
Was 100 days established when names had to be given, or was that just for Pandas? I remember that Lutsandvo, son of Dula, name was announced on the day that boy baby Swazi was born on 4-12-2010. Lutsandvo was born on Valentine’s Day, 2-14-2010. Ingadze, the name translated from Horton, for Umgani’s son, born on 3-13-2009, was given in honor of Dr. Seuss widow who gave a large donation to the Elephant Odyssey at the San Diego Zoo. Don’t remember the timing for the naming of Khosi, Punga, and Kami. In the meantime, I suppose Swazi’s son and Moya’s son allows distinguishing one from the other when you see them in the herd.
Moderator’s note: The 100-day-wait for a name to be bestowed is with our pandas. Elephants are usually named by generous donors.
Really enjoy watching the elephant cam in the late afternoon until dark. Hope someone is able to man it the rest of the summer.
Congratulations on the newest elephant baby boy. I like watching the elephant cam as well as all the others.
Thank You WAP camera person for a great close up view of Msholo early this
morning. He is quite a handsome fellow. He was digging quite a hole in the
ground, and sometimes eating something that he found. Roots or minerals
perhaps. When will he be introduced to some of the females from the WAP
herd? He must be getting lonely in that big yard by himself. It’s nice that
he can see and hear the herd from his yard, and I am sure they can see him
also.
#57 Mark
That’s the first time I’ve heard about that theory. I personally don’t see a connection for the theory.
Thanks for having the camera aimed at the pool! There are several elephants enjoying the pool now that the park is closed for the night. Anyway, it sure is fun to watch. I never seem to be around when they are in the pool. I console myself with video of Khosi and Punga playing in the water right after Kami was born when she was standing outside the pool looking wistfully at Khosi and Punga splashing around with their feet looking like they have pink booties on.