Baby with two of his family members
Our elephant keepers are a busy lot, but Animal Care Manager Curtis Lehman graciously took some time to fill me in on the Safari Park’s growing African elephant herd.
The newest cutie, I mean calf, is doing great! He now weighs 340 pounds (154 kilograms), nurses throughout the day, and is mouthing food items in preparation for when those handy teeth come in (usually at about three to four months of age). Baby has not received a name yet, but that’s not a problem with the herd. The little guy has quite the social life, as all the calves like to play with him. And he always has a sibling or two to keep him company as well. Big sister Khosi and half sister Kami both dote on him and like to keep him close; big brother Ingadze doesn’t seem to mind having a baby brother, and Curtis says he never noticed any jealousy on Ingadze’s part when Baby arrived on the scene. Khosi and Ingadze do such a good job of keeping an eye out for Baby that mom Umngani is probably the most rested of any of our elephant moms!
One talent Baby has displayed is vocalizing, screaming quite loudly (it sounds like a lion’s roar!) if he accidently gets too far from Mom or gets pushed around by Swazi. “It’s amazing how loud the calves can roar whenever they’re upset about something,” Curtis says. “You can hear them from the other yard. We get desensitized to the roar, like most of the mom’s do, and we can discriminate between the ‘serious’ calls and the ‘not so serious’ ones. Sundzu can also roar quite loudly, just like his older brother Impunga used to do.”
Speaking of Sundzu, Curtis says he is the most keeper oriented of the calves, although they all seem to enjoy the attention the keepers provide. Keepers work with the calves to teach them basic husbandry commands, such as lifting up a foot when asked or leaning the sides of their bodies in for an inspection. Of all the calves, Macembe, or “Mac,” has been the training star. As the son of the herd leader, Swazi, he is naturally fearless and independent—nothing seems to bother him, and for him, training is just a fun way to get more treats! At the other end of the spectrum is Luti, who is cautious of anything new or unusual.
One quickly gets the feeling that things are never dull at the Safari Park’s elephant habitat!
Debbie Andreen is an associate editor and blog moderator for San Diego Zoo Global. Read her previous post, Bai Yun: 20th Birthday.
I enjoy reading how the elephants are doing even though I watch the webcam daily. I only wish somehow that there could be sound. Reading about the “roars” of the babies isn’t the same as hearing them. Keep up the good work. You should be so proud of the things you do to care for these majestic wonders.
Thank you so much for this wonderful provision – I spend many hours watching the elephants and laughing here in the UK with a very good friend in Florida. Its such fun! Yes sound would be great too but for now we thank you for taking such good care of these wonderful animals. Look forward to hearing what the new baby’s name is.
I enjoy watching the ellie cam.. esp the babys ..is there going to be a “name the new ellie” like with the pandas?? Are there 2 ellie cams,,I sometimes see different settings….
Moderator’s note: It’s the same Cam, but you can view it on either the Zoo’s website or the Safari Park’s website. Each website has its own “look.”
Thanks for the wonderful update and keep up the excellent care you give these wonderful animals. I love watching the family of 4 interact. I was awwwing the other day when all of a sudden Gadze plopped down next to his baby brother, who had been lying there napping, and almost cuddled him. Very sweet. <3
Thank you for the update! My kids and I thoroughly enjoy looking in on the elephants every day! It is a welcome, calming influence and a treat to watch the youngsters play and the interaction between Mom and babies…while we watch the elephants do the same.
Kevin
Davie, Florida
When I get the time, I share the web cam with my second graders. They love to watch and ooh and aah over the baby. Though we are less than 2 hours away, most of my kids have never been to the park. To bad field trips are a thing of the past. We will keep watching!!
Moderator’s note: Thank you for sharing our elephants with your students!
Just a Thank You for the update. Love these elephants and am looking forward to seeing what name the new baby will have. He is so fun to watch …..and his siblings watching over him. One thing I really enjoy is watching all the elephants come running when the keepers come walking out with the treat buckets.
Kudos to everyone who takes care of these magnificent creatures.
I am looking forward to seeing the whole herd when I get down there in December. I hope I get a chance to hear the calves “roar” as you were describing here. I also hope to get to do the behind the scenes safari — I’ve heard that it is very enjoyable and instructive. Maybe “Baby” will have his name by the time I get down there…
Moderator’s note: We look forward to your visit, Deborah! And do book a Behind-the-Scenes Safari: For the Love of Animals if you want that extra-close elephant experience.
I am so very sorry for your loss of Umoya. I loved watching her on the Elephant Cam. She will be missed.
Moderator’s note: She will indeed. Thank you.
Is Sundzu short for Lutsundvor or Tsandzikle?
Moderator’s note: Sundzu is short for Tsandzikle. Luti is short for Lutsundvor.
Good Morning Ellies & friends of Ellies,
Just watching my favorite little “noodle nose” and love watching as he learns to control all those little muscles!! One day when I was watching, that little trunk was whipping around and I swear it looked just like he was conducting an orchestra!!!
)
And I also would like to extend my condolences to the keepers. I am very sorry for your losses of the last few months. If bad things come in 3′s y’all should be done and just rainbows are forth coming.
Cindy