Mabu and Lugile explore their new home.
It’s a cool and windy day here in Tucson, Arizona, and I am sitting under a tree watching our two African elephants, Mabu and Lungile, as they explore part of their new habitat. The pair arrived here from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on February 24. They seem to be enjoying the lush grass, the space, the desert smells on the wind, and all of the brand new nooks and crannies to explore.
The Reid Park Zoo's new elephant habitat
The facilities here at the Reid Park Zoo are beautiful, with a couple of acres of outside space, air-conditioned shelters and barns, and a huge pool for elephant play. Everyone here in Tucson seems really excited to be welcoming our elephants to the exhibit they have worked on building for the last couple of years. I have no doubt that Mabu and Lungile will be stars here in Arizona just as they were in California!
Christina Simmons is the public relations manager for San Diego Zoo Global.
Good luck guys, we’ll miss seeing you!
What about the elephants they left behind in San Diego? Won’t they miss them? Since relationships with other elephants are vital for elephants’ well-being, doesn’t uprooting and moving them serve the zoo’s needs and not theirs?
Lungile was the most subordinate female in the herd. She wasn’t related to the other females, nor their calves. Mabu is a bull, and bulls aren’t a part of the herd hierarchy at all.
OTOH, Lungile played the role of “auntie” for many of the calves and Mabhulane was very gentle with the babies instead of ignoring them. The babies nurse from their own mothers and each other’s mothers, and a few even tried Lungile’s and Mabhulane’s nipples!
Welcome to Arizona, Mabu and Lungile! I can’t wait to visit them in Tucson and see the new exhibit. Aren’t more coming?
Just courious why the papa was sent and not one of the younger males? Wouldn’t this be considered his herd?
With Msholo now at the park, they still have a breeding bull. SDSP planned this entire operation so Mabhulane would be able to continue breeding with Lungile and the additional female soon to join them at the Reid Park Zoo.
Despite his best efforts Msholo hasn’t become a Daddy yet.
He came so close too! Didn’t he get Umoya pregnant months before she died?
Moderator’s note: Umoya was not pregnant when she passed away.
The herd doesn’t belong to the bull. Bulls travel from herd to herd looking for cows in season. They probably don’t show as much interest in the calves as much as Mabu has which isn’t actually very much.
Is there a plan to have reps from San Diego be there while they adjust and will they be returned to us if they cannot thrive there? It can range from very cold to very hot at the safari park, but it is far more intense in Az. Please don’t let their lives be shortened by all this shuffling around of elephants. I find this all very sad for the herd.
Don’t worry Pat. There is always a keeper or two and sometimes a vet who travels with the animals. Then they stay for a few days to help the new keepers and the animals to get aquainted with each other. One of our Asian ellies went to The Denver Zoo at the end of 2011 and the ellie had plenty of his keepers with him for the transition. Animal health and safety is always priority with these wonderful zoos….
Some of our staff made the trip with Mabu & Lungile, and these elephants are already familiar with at least some of their AZ keepers, because over the last several months, Reid Park keepers have spent time at the Safari Park, working with our keepers and with the herd.
SDZSP staff have influenced their exhibit plans, and trained their staff in our specific practices for management, husbandry, and care of these animals. (Protected contact, and “Operant Conditioning” with strictly positive reinforcement.)
The exhibit looks extremely similar to ours, which I personally like. I suspect the animals will adapt to summer heat by spending more time in the pool.
It looks like they have plans for an Elephant Cam, so we can all keep tabs on them!
All great news, Wendy. Thanks for letting us know!!
When will the two from Reid Park arrive in San Diego?
Moderator’s note: For the safety of our animals, we do not announce animal moving dates.
According to PAWS Newsletter they left Tuscon yesterday. Correct?
Moderator’s note: Connie and Shaba arrived at the San Diego Zoo Wednesday night. They are settling into their new surroundings and are interacting with keepers from Reid Park Zoo, who traveled with them, and are also responding well to their new San Diego Zoo keepers. Connie especially seemed to enjoy eating fresh ficus grown at the San Diego Zoo. We hope to have a blog post soon to announce their arrival.
You’ll keep them together, right?
Thank you for the public announcement. I am in complete support of the Zoo team. You’ve been very transparent with information, given that tough decisions must be made for the good of the herd. Can’t wait to go to Tuscon and check on our elephant friends.
I agree! It’s hard to let them go, but I trust the zoo to know what is best to keep the elephants thriving.
I hope they enjoy their new surroundings. Bye Mabu and Lungile, I’ll miss seeing you both next month in Safari Park. I guess Mabu’s genes are properly spread throughout the Safari Park herd; all of the youngster’s except Moose are his.
Curious why Lungile moved? To keep Mabu company? All the other females have calves? She will miss being auntie to all the calves.
As always I trust in the Zoo and Safari Park to know what is right and best for the animals in their care.
one of the females still at the park is expected to arrive in Tuscon shortly with her two calves, so Lungile will still get to be an auntie, and hopefully a mother again.
Thanks Jackson for the additonal info. I have always hoped that Lungile would be a mother again. And good to know that some of the calves she knows will be there as well. And another female known to her.
Perhaps Lungile will be have a higher role in the hierarchy in the new location.
Oh, I am so glad I took the Behind the Scenes tour back in December and saw Mabu up close and personal before he left. He was really impressive!
Wishing all the best to both Mabu & Lungile in their new home…
Hopefully Lungile, Mabu, and whichever other SDZ herdmates who may join them soon, will acclimate well to their spanking brand new and exciting surroundings. Also keep fingers crossed that Reid Zoo will have an ellie cam in the near future.
“Also keep fingers crossed that Reid Zoo will have an ellie cam in the near future.”
I just thought of something.
Giant, elephant-proof video screens and speakers.
Microphones with the cameras.
…so the different branches of the herd that came over in that plane all those years ago can still see and hear *each other* and each other’s children.
Imagtine if watching the ellie cam wasn’t just for us, but for them too!
Dunno how feasible this is, but someday it may be doable…
Then if they actually got back in touch through the video and audio, we’d have to renickname the reunited herd. Instead of SDZ Safari Park herd, Lowry Park herd, etc. it could be Jumbo Jet Herd-West, Jumbo Jet Herd-East, Jumbo Jet Herd-Central, etc.
“Face Time”, meet “Trunk Time”
thanks for the news. I am bummed that Lungile was moved. I thought maybe she and Musi would be sent together, since Musi is almost adolescent but he still seems quite close Ndula. I thought a herd was expected from San Diego Safari Park to Reid Zoo. are Lungile and Mabu joining existing elephants at Reid? I also hope that Reid will put up an ellie cam so I can check that the 2 are doing well.
Shaba an older African ellie and Connie an Asian ellie are going to the San Diego Zoo as part of the exchange for the Park’s ellies. According to Reid Park Zoo’s website there is to be another female with 2 calves coming to join Mabu and Lungile
I checked the Reid Park Zoo site and as of 2.27.2012 evening, they appear to have plans for an elephant cam. there is a url set up: http://www.tucsonzoo.org/plan-your-visit/elephant-cam/
… however, that page does not appear to display any video player currently. there isn’t enough information to tell whether that cam will cover the area where Lungile and Mabu spend their time.
Apparently the elephant cam for new exhibit wasn’t in RPZ’s original budget when they decided to do the elephant exhibit but they have requested that one be added and hope to have it up and running by early summer.
I am sorry to hear that Mabu and Lungile have been moved to Arizona.
They will be missed by all of us who have known them for many years.
At the same time, I am happy to hear that they are acclimating well to their
new surroundings at the Reid Zoo. On our next trip to Arizona, we will make it
a point to visit our old friends Mabu and Lungile.
Now that there is only 1 bull does the herd still need to be split?
the new yard now allows more flexibility in management, so that if certain animals do need to be separated, it is possible. Or if the main yard needs to be cleaned, more space can be allotted.
Reid Park Zoo has an article up on Mabu and Lungile with pictures now, They said there is to be another female with 2 calves coming .. so that means Dula, Musi and Luti or Samba, Impunga and Sondzu. I would think Samba’s family since Musi will soon have to leave the herd in a few years as is the way once a male ellie reaches his teens.
thanks. I took a look at the Reid Park announcement. it helps to see photos of Mabu and Lungile. they are excreting a little from their temporal areas so I imagine it is stressful to move. however the adults even at San Diego would excrete regularly from their temporal areas so I’m not sure it always indicates stress or other types of emotional states. hopefully it is fun for the two elephants to get to explore a new and hopefully larger space.
Is the article on the website? I couldn’t see a link for it.
here is a link to the Reid Park Zoo story on Lungile and Mabu:
http://www.tucsonzoo.org/2012/two-new-elephants-arrive-at-reid-park-zoo-22712/
for future news, you need to start at their homepage and scroll down a little. it only shows the latest 3 stories but there is a link below that to see older news.
City of Tucson posted this video of Lungile and Mabu at Reid Park Zoo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdX3s22H_zg&list=UU2-H8TgM1ODhDxjRto0L8cg&index=5&feature=plcp
The separation of zoo animals is always the toughest part of being a zoo supporter for me. We are getting ready to go through this with our beautiful lion cubs at the National Zoo. I always worry greatly about how the animals will adapt to their new surroundings and more importantly, not having all their family members around. It looks like this move is going well, Reid Park looks beautiful and spacious and I know our dear elephants will be happy and well taken care of. Sigh…
Did all elephants get to watch the 2 get crated and taken away? Were they crated together or separate?
Moderator’s note: To facilitate the move, Mabu and Lungile were in a different yard but the rest of the elephants could watch from their yard. Mabu and Lungile had separate crates.
Did they get to say goodbye?
I bet the adults understand that even though they can’t see Mabhulane and Lungile anymore, he and she moved instead of died. The moving gear is not a new concept, they’ve all been transported themselves, and even been reuinted after years apart (reunited when Msholo was moved from Florida to California). I hope they reassured the calves well!
Now that Mabu is gone, who is the leader of the herd?
Moderator’s note: Please remember that elephants live in a matriarchal society, with an experienced female as leader. Swazi is the Park’s dominant female.
oh, cool! Thank you, I did not realize that!
What is the likelihood that with Mabu now gone, and without the vocal exchanges between two bulls across the yards, a more serene atmosphere in general will exist within the herd? From what I have viewed on cam during the past several days, at least Msholo has appeared to be a bit calmer overall ? Thank you..
Guess it’s time to update the Meet the Herd part again now that Mabu and Lungile have left
Yeah, now it should have both an In Memoriam section and an In Arizona section.
It was really nice to see the crate training with Impunga, if that is what it was, but I wish the cam could have stayed on the session longer. Being on the east coast and not being able to be there really stinks. I would be there everyday all day to see this event happen. We all know what is happening and realize the security issue but also like to see the elle’s being comfortable in the change over. Thank you folks for everything you give us with this herd.
The crate training was with Moose. He weighs 2000 pounds more than Punga and has a broken tusk and was in the field with both his mom Ndlula (Dula) and his brother Lutsundvor (Looty). That morning, Punga was with Samba in the small part of the original Mabu yard.
That was a real goof for me! Samba’s kids are Punga and Sundzu! Has anyone else been noticing how Msholo has been pushing Moose and Umngani around so much this morning? Would hate to think that anything would happen to Umngani’s beautiful tusks. Bull yards used to be used to keep bulls in rather than have them loose with the herd!
Don, I have noticed even before Mabu and Lungile left, that Msholo when with the girls would be pushing with Umngani at times. I believe it was the day Luty was chased by him and fell momentarily hurting his foot/leg, you were operating the cam that morning I think.
As to Musi, he’s soon going to be at the age where his presence in the herd won’t be accepted anymore unfortunately. All part of growing up for a young bull.
I do agree with you though, bulls don’t usually associate with the females except for breeding time, I have to wonder if it’s wise to keep Msholo with the girls all the time, It’s not like it was with Mabu who arrived with them and Msholo was sent elsewhere till he arrived at SD.
I only hope all the ellies can get along harmoniously if Msholo is to remain with the rest of the herd all the time.
I agree with you Don regarding the bull yards. I particularly don’t understand why the bull isn’t at least separated from the herd at night when no keepers are there.
I would rather see Sundzu, Litsemba, and Punga in San Diego. I doubt there is another male calf that would tolerate Neepo’s playfulness like Sundzu.
but I am curious, if Musi does go to Reid, it seems safe if he would try to mate Lungile but would he eventually have to be separated from Ndula when he comes of reproductive age? have elephant bulls been known to attempt to mate their mothers?
Beautiful facilities, beautiful animals. Thanks for sharing!
in case it may be of interest, I visited the LA Zoo recently and had a chance to see Tina and Jewel (and only glimpses of Billy at a distance). I will be frank that I have some doubts as to the overall spaciousness of the LA Zoo enclosure, since there is a lot of electric fencing within (with frequent crackling sound). but I will not be too political since I am also appreciative of the ability to view the elephants (both in LA and in San Diego, via the cam).
Tina and Jewel appeared well. I am not familiar with them individually. one appeared slightly older and larger and her eyes looked a little tired. the slightly younger looking one looked a little happier in the eyes. they were very attached to one another. while speaking with a docent, we heard one elephant trumpet loudly and the docent explained that it was Jewel probably calling for Tina, who was probably out of sight.
the docent also said a couple nights ago when they had their musical concert fundraiser, that one of the females was outside and appeared to be enjoying the music. when Tina and Jewel were in the enclosure section very close to the human viewers, they ate hay calmly and did not appear to even notice the people. but I am guessing we humans were in their peripheral awareness and not completely ignored.
before leaving, I got to see Tina and Jewel in their enrichment area having an afternoon snack. the larger (?older) one was really enjoying her celery and root veggies. both seemed to really enjoy rolling around those plastic hollow balls with circles cut out to get their veggie snacks out.
the day of the visit, it appeared that Billy was in a separate enclosure from Tina and Jewel. the docent explained that they are kept separate by gender. she said that sometimes Billy interacts with the girls with trunk touches through the fence.
If I remember correctly.. Tina and Jewel are older and wouldn’t fair well if they became pregnant at their ages. Billy on the other hand is in his prime and because he’s not been around other ellies TIna and Jewel’s presence is to get him used to being near other elephants with younger elephants if the LA Zoo decides at some point to bring younger females in for mating with him
HOORAY! First time I’ve seen elephants in the pool for a long time! Umngani and a couple of youngsters are there now. Haven’t seen Nepo yet. Just thought you might like to take a look!
Nepo had a blast in the big mud puddle earlier. When Samba went to the pool she pushed Nepo back from the water. He thought he was gonna get wet with the bigger ones but she must think he’s not ready yet. Don’t think anyone from his family was at the pool with him. She did have a great time and so did I watching her.
I saw the pool play too, finally hot enough for them – Nipo was trying to push the others in off the bottom step – Sundzu and Macembe, I think. Then the big tree stump and Semba were in the way so I didn’t see how they all actually ended up in the water. Then Semba sontered on down – I was afraid she was going to be ‘witchy’ and chase the kids out, but instead she gently, protectively guided Nipo out of the water with her trunk before he got in too deep. He went off towards his mom, while Semba went on in to the pool with the others. Macembe got out to join Swazi, but Sundzu stayed in the pool with his mom.
Don’t know who Sundzu will play with in Tuscon, and the other kids left behind here are too big for Nipo to play with.
Crate training we saw last Friday while at the Park was with Semba, Sundzu, & Punga. wondering if they’ve already left this morning or if it was more training. Really gonna miss them all, already missing Mabu and Lungile, and Moya, of course. But look forward to keeping track of them on the hopefully upcoming Reid Park webcam.
oh, never mind – just saw Semba – can’t miss her pretty face with the ears out, and that lovely tail.
Don, I caught that, too! A sign that the weather is warming up and Spring is just around the corner! Umngani was having a blast, playing like a calf.
San Diego Union Tribune, March 5, 2012, states Samba and her youngsters, Punga and Sundzu are going to Reid Park. I, for one, will really miss them. Have been enjoying them ever since 12-27-2011 when Sundzu was born. Samba’s belly button shaped edema and her bushy tail made her easy to spot.
What in the world is in that little hole above the pool that Nipo and the others can’t get enough of?!? Saw him digging his trunk and face in there yesterday, now again today with other ‘yoots’.
Tina looks like a mini mud wallow for Neepo that the other youngsters figured they should enjoy too. I hope it doesn’t become a hazard after dark for them, I wouldn’t want to see any of the ellies get hurt from falling due to it. I remember Mabu had dug one a long time ago farther up on one of the paths which the keepers filled in after a day or so.
Question for someone! I tuned in at 2:00 and there were two elephants in the pool — mom and son I think. Can someone tell me which two were in there? Thanks for your help.
That was actually Moose (one broken tusk) and I think it was his brother, Lutsundvor.
Thanks for the info, Don. They looked as if they were having a great time. I just love watching them play in the pool, and I’m sorry I missed most of the play time.
Located Samba and Sundzu and a good closeup showed the required points of identification, the tusks, the full tail, and the edema that looks like a belly button. This means they are still in San Diego. They were on camera for more than 15 minutes. Also happened to catch Moose and, I believe, Lutsundvor, his brother, in the pool. Only lasted for about 5 minutes at about 2 p.m.
WOW!!! I’m just catching up on the ellie updates, and I found out that Mabu and Lungile were moved to Reid Park Zoo in Tuscon, Arizona just over a week ago! I knew from reading past updates that something was in the works about sending a couple of the WAP ellies to Zona, and now I know who they are. Gonna miss seeing Mabu on the SDZ cam being around the girls and his kids. He was pretty good with them with his calm demeanor, especially the younger calves. He was also a very prolific dad with the number of ellie calves in the yard! I sure do hope that Msholo will be as prolific as Mabu was and be a daddy very soon. He does need to settle down and calm down around the girls & calves, tho. I’m pretty sure that none of the girls will tolerate Msholo being very pushy towards them and the calves. I also read that Reid Park sent 2 of their ellies to SDZ WAP while Mabu and Lungile were on their way to Zona. I hope to read your newest update about these 2 ellies very soon and get to know them better. Plus, you all are going to need to change your meet the elephants list again with the 2 new additions.
Hope Lungile and Mabu will enjoy their new home in Zona!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
PS: Anyway new word on whether any of the ellie girls are pregnant this year? Love to know as soon as you all know!
The new elephants Connie and Shaba are older ones who will live at Elephant Odyssey, not at the Safari Park.
You’re right, the Meet the Herd page for the Safari Park needs to be updated but with both an In Memoriam section (for Umoya’s profile, and Lungile’s daughter could have a profile there too, I saw a photo of her in an earlier SDZ photo gallery) and an In Arizona section (for Mabhulane, Lungile, Litsemba, Impunga, and Tsandzikle’s profiles).
welcome to Connie and Shaba, i am excited to see them in the yards, will they be with the African Ellies??
There’s only one african elephant at the zoo other than, now, Shaba.
I am positive Elizabeth that the Elephant’s on the Cam are African, Asian Ellies have smaller ears.
Moderator’s note: Yes, the elephants that can be viewed on our Elephant Cam are all African elephants.
The confusion may be that the ellies from AZ went to the ZOO, not Safari Park (WAP). The departure of Cookie and Cha Cha made space. The AZ ellies are apparently a little older, and the explanation was that the SDZ has good experience with geriatric issues. I don’t believe there is an ellie cam for the zoo.
that’s Tembo the other African ellie at the Zoo
Yes, thanks Pat, you are right, i don’t know what i was thinking, thanks for clearing that up! and, Elizabeth I was thinking about the Safari Park, sorry for the confusion on my part.
Umngani acting positively coquettish with Msholo! Pretty frisky too! Hussy. Funny to see her acting like one of the kids.
I saw that too but my first thought was oh no, why are they fighting.
Just noticed that the keepers where cleaning up the yard very late in the day. Does than mean they where busy loading up the Ellies for Az,?
The crate is gone and yesterday there was a brief camera pan while what looked like a heavy loading apparatus was still in the yard. I suspect that Litsemba, Impunga, and Sundzu are in Arizona. There is nothing on their website about arrival yet. Neepo did not appear to have any problem finding victims to harass yesterday though.
And I wonder what kind of commotion there was when the two groups reunited in AZ. I sure hope someone recorded that!