Cha Cha
We would like to thank everyone for your well wishes and support. These past two weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for us. Losing one of our elephants is similar to losing a family member. Cha Cha and Cookie will be remembered and missed every day.
For many of you, you’ll remember Cha Cha from her days at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Cha Cha’s always-sweet demeanor was apparent, even from a seat in the stands. For the keepers, Cha Cha was always a joy to work with. She was extremely social with all of us and enjoyed her one-on-one time above all. On a regular basis, Cha Cha would choose affection over food for her reward. She loved to have her tongue scratched and to smell our breath.
In recent times, Cha Cha made friends with Sumithi and Devi. The girls would hang out in the large yard at the San Diego Zoo’s Elephant Odyssey, eating and socializing, with an occasional swim in the pool. Cha Cha would even use Sumithi as a scratching post! Cha Cha’s best buddy was the least likely one in the herd, Ranchipur. The two of them would walk around the yard together, never too far apart. Both would share their food, and Ranchipur would even eat the food Cha Cha tossed on her back. Despite her smaller size, Cha Cha was able to push Ranchipur around, and he, being the easygoing guy that he is, allowed it.
Not too long ago, a guest’s straw hat was blown into the elephant yard; elephants being elephants, the hat was only likely to return in 24 to 48 hours, if you know what I mean, looking and smelling a bit worse! Luckily, Cha Cha was the one in the yard at the time. One of her long-time keepers simply asked her to “pick it up” (a behavior that all of the females know). Cha Cha then crossed the yard, picked up the hat, and brought it over. The guest got the whole thing on film.
Those of us who were lucky enough to meet her will always remember Cha Cha’s sweet disposition and her silly eccentricities. She was definitely a character!
Cookie
Cookie also hailed from the Safari park. She seemed to really enjoy the “fun” behaviors that we asked of her. She loved catching flying celery in the air and would perk her ears forward when we would ask her questions, to which she would respond with a head shaking “no” or an enthusiastic “yes.” Cookie loved her ears scratched and, strangely enough, really enjoyed the roof of her mouth scratched. On warm afternoons, Cookie could be seen napping in the warm sun. She frequently came over to her keepers for scratches and attention, and if we got the right spot, she would start squeaking in excitement.
Cookie’s silly personality could especially be seen when she was with her longtime best friend, Mary. When the two of them would be reunited after being separated (even if it was only for 15 minutes), both would make rumbling noises, happy squeaks, and flap their ears, as if they hadn’t seen each other in ages! During training sessions, Cookie was always a willing participant. She enjoyed learning new things and was a very quick study. When faced with a situation she was unsure about, Cookie would look to her keepers for reassurance, and after receiving encouraging words, she would then continue to give it her best shot.
Cookie loved affection but really loved her food. A simple pellet toy (a very sturdy, or disposable plastic toy with holes drilled in it to allow alfalfa pellets to fall out) could entertain her for hours. She also loved digging in fresh dirt piles, trying to find the buried treats. Some of the most memorable times with Cookie were during swim sessions in the pool at the Safari Park. Cookie and Mary would go in together, dunk their heads under water, and play like little kids do in the pool during summer. They both were always very vocal and would squeak and rumble the whole time. After their swim time, each would enthusiastically cover her whole body with fresh dirt. Sometimes Mary would plop down on a fresh pile of dirt for a short nap in the sun. Cookie would always stand over her, watching over her buddy.
At 56 years old, Cookie had seen it all! She probably would have called us “Kid” or “Junior” if she could have. She was a great teacher and truly showed us how intelligent elephants really are. Cookie’s quirky personality and wonderful “happy” noises will be forever missed. She really was a true gem.
Mary has been doing very well since Cookie’s death and getting extra attention from the keepers. She is spending her time with Tembo, Sumithi, and Devi and seems to be acclimating.
Lindsey Kraal is a keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Wow – I had no idea this happened – I live in TX and didn’t hear anything about it. So did they die within the last two weeks? Were they sick? Did one know the other died? – is there a way to find out more about what happened. I was at Elephant Odyssey about 2 years ago and was amazed at the care station. I stood and watched elephant pedicures for the longest time! I’ve been to the zoo and safari park so much in that last 25 years that I know I’ve enjoyed both girls over that time. How old was Cha Cha? I can only imagine the sadness you all feel and poor Mary too. My thoughts are with you all. Take care.
San Diego Zoo responds: Thank you, Mary Kay. Keepers noticed that Cha Cha was having trouble eating and drinking. After anesthetizing her, veterinarians were able to determine that she had a mass of food material blocking her esophagus but were not able to remove it. Two days later, using equipment specially designed for the procedure, staff worked to remove the mass. Although the blockage was relieved and intensive care was provided around the clock, Cha Cha’s condition continued to deteriorate over the following days, and on January 4, animal care staff made the difficult decision to euthanize her. Cha Cha was estimated to be 43 years old.
Zoo animal care staff had worked with Cookie for many months to manage health concerns related to several geriatric conditions. Over the last couple of weeks her condition continued to deteriorate and severely affect her quality of life. On January 6, the difficult decision to euthanize her was made.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. My 20+ year old cat told me it was time to go in November. We have to do what we can and listen – they know when it’s time. What wonderful long lives these ladies had together and with their friends and family – including you all.
Thank you so much for your stories about Cha Cha and Cookie! Your hat retrieval story reminded me of the days when keepers at the Safari Park were crate training the Asian elephants to prepare them for their move to the Zoo. One day I was watching Cha Cha’s crate training, and her keeper would “accidentally” drop his hat into the crate and then ask Cha Cha to pick it up. Cautiously, Cha Cha would take a step or two into the crate, pick up the hat, give it to the keeper, then step back out of the crate. This exercise was repeated numerous times, with the hat being “dropped” further into the crate as Cha Cha got more comfortable. It was neat to see how the keepers could use a behavior Cha Cha already knew to help her learn a new behavior…how to enter a crate and be calm and relaxed in it. The loss of Cha Cha and Cookie is a reminder that no one, of any species, lives forever, and we should appreciate and cherish and never take for granted the time that we have with those that we love. Goodbye sweet girls. You will be missed.
So sorry for your loss. I know it’s never easy to lose an animal that you have been caring for. May they rest in peace in ele heaven now.
lindsey, what a beautiful tribute to the animals who’s quality of life was a little bit better thanks to the staff at OD.The relationship between keeper and animal is a very special one and it makes for a special bond. Thank you to all the keepers who had the chance to work with them
RIP sweet girls.
I heard about this a couple of days ago when I read some comments about ChaCha and Cookie passing away in another update. Condolences to the elephant family at EO, and all of the keepers there. I know that all of you are missing these 2 beautiful ellies and their great attitudes that you have enjoyed over the years. I’m glad that Mary is acclimating with the rest of the herd very well after losing her 2 best buddies. Seems like the whole ellie family always takes care of each other when something like this happens, which is what is happening at WAP when the ellie family rallied around Emanti and Kami after losing their mom, Umoya, a few weeks ago. They have that unconditional love towards each other that we all can learn from them everyday.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Lindsey, you know how much all of us zoo “regulars” care for our beloved elephants and deeply appreciate the care you all have given them. I’m sure both Cha Cha and Cookie, could they speak in human words, would have said thank you when the keepers had to make that difficult final decision. You all are very special people!!
I heard part of a story on the news that we are getting 2 elderly elephants from Arz. Is there going to be any more news about this story on this site? If true when are they arriving and where? So sorry about Cha Cha and Cookie they will be missed.
Moderator’s note: Thank you, PattiS. We have agreed to take in two elephants from the Reid Park Zoo, but details are not yet available.
Here is a video San Diego Zoo tweeted about Connie and Shaba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG8jdbo5-Cg
What a touching tribute! Were the other elephants given a chance to mourn Cha Cha and Cookie? I know that this is a behavior seen in the wild and I was wondering if the elephants who die in veterinary care are mourned by the others.
Moderator’s note: Yes, the other elephants were given that opportunity.
How do elephants mourn? Just wandering inquisative mind??
Lindsey, the passing of Cha Cha and Cookie is very sad news for the Elephant Care Personnel and all visitors to the San Diego Zoo. The loss of two well-loved animals tugs hard at the heart. We have wonderful memories and lots of photos of Cha Cha and Cookie. We always look forward to visiting the elephants at the Elephant Odyssey and the Safari Park. May Cha Cha and Cookie rest in peace in “Elephant Heaven”.
I discovered the Live web cams about 4 months ago. I am absolutely hooked and just love them! I am a first grade teacher in Western Massachusetts. I have shared the web site with my students and we discuss the activity we may have seen from the nights before. The elephant cam is one of my favorites. What a special and loving community those animals show us! Thank you for the opportunity to be educated through the web cams!
Moderator’s note: You are most welcome, Cheryl! Please say hi to your students for us!
I am just getting back to checking in on the other animals at the zoo… I am so sorry to learn of Cha Cha and Cookie’s passing!! I remember them both fondly from trips to the Elephant Odyssey.
Thank you Lindsey for such a touching tribute.
Cha Cha and Cookie, you will be missed! RIP beautiful girls
Dear elephant caretakers and staff,
I am very sad to hear about Cha Cha and Cookie… My family and I met them few times before and we always thought they were so cute….They will be missed by everyone who knew them…
Please know I am thinking of them during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Seiko
I am sorry to hear of the Loss of Cha Cha and Cookie. i remember the girls from the 90′s when they were still at the Wild Animal Park. I had the opportunity to intern some and got to know the Asian Elephants well. They will sure be missed. I remember Cha Chas little squeak she would make and that Cookie loved to preform and both were so gentle and kind.
They will be missed by all.