With Connie (left) gone, Shaba (right) is showing signs that she will integrate beautifully into the herd at Elephant Odyssey.
With the passing of elephant Connie at the San Diego Zoo, we know that many of our guests are concerned about her companion, Shaba (see post Elephant ICU Loses a Member). I’d like to take this opportunity to share some of the things we’ve observed from her that give us hope that she will adjust to life without her long-time companion and thrive in her new herd.
After their quarantine period ended, Connie and Shaba were given opportunities to explore some of the yards and come out into the Elephant Care Center stalls for their daily treatments. Shaba took to these new areas with eagerness. She has been curious about each new place, exploring every area that could possibly have a treat hiding in it (and usually there is something good to find). She has also been very outgoing when it comes to meeting new elephants. She is the first to want to approach the fence and interact with them. She is gentle when she reaches through to smell and touch the others, and not frightened or put off when they are a little less gentle with her. From the beginning, we have seen signs that she will integrate beautifully into our herd.
Yesterday, the keepers and veterinary staff had the difficult but necessary task of relieving Connie of her pain and discomfort by euthanasia. It was emotional for everyone involved. Foremost in our minds was the uncertainty of how Shaba would react when we would bring her in to say goodbye. We know from various studies that elephants have some understanding of death, so when an elephant passes in our care, we give their herd mates a chance to see and touch the body. After we knew that Connie was gone, we cleared the area and stood silently as Shaba was lead into the special-needs facility. At first she was focused on all of the people, but after a moment she saw her friend. It was a solemn and precious experience to be in that room. Shaba approached Connie with some hesitation. She reached out and touched her trunk. She backed away for a moment and vocalized, but kept her eyes on Connie, came back, and touched her again. There was a keeper nearby with treats and an open door to the yard so Shaba could decide how long to stay and when to go. She walked over to her keeper for a treat and then back to Connie a couple of times before deciding to leave the area. In total the interaction lasted only a short time, but we believe it was a significant step in helping her to deal with her loss.
For the rest of the day Shaba was outside being introduced to Mary, our dominant female Asian elephant. They had a very good interaction. They touched and smelled each other through the fence on and off throughout the afternoon. Mary asserted her dominance from time to time, and Shaba behaved exactly the way a more submissive elephant should. We are confident that when the time comes to put them together in a yard, the process will go smoothly. Shaba spent the night in our biggest yard for the first time last night. It was also her first night without Connie, so we had a keeper here to observe her. She did very well. She spent a good amount of time near Mary at the fence and the rest of the time either sleeping or exploring. She has a very secure and independent personality.
We will continue to watch Shaba closely to make sure that she is coping with this difficult change as well as possible. We are grateful that Shaba had Connie with her to help her with the adjustment to her new home and that we had the wonderful opportunity to know Connie and to work with her. She will be missed not only by Shaba but by all of the staff and our guests who love and care for each of the animals here at Elephant Odyssey.
Nora Kigin is a keeper at the San Diego Zoo. Read her previous post, Connie and Shaba Out and About.
Thank you so much for the update on Shaba and the compassionate care given to both. As I have a good cry for the 2nd day, I can’t imagine how difficult it is for you all. I know they are wild animals, not our pets, but it is impossible to not become attached to these wonderful and majestic creatures.
I am a docent at Reid Park Zoo in Tucson and knew and loved Shaba and Connie I was sad to see them leave but gladt they got to stay together.
I want to thank you all for the good care and love you gave Connie and I was very touched by the blog you wrote about letting Shaba say good-bye.
I am coming to San Diego next month and of course I am coming to your zoo and I hope I can see Shaba/
I know she is in good hands/
Mary
Thank you Nora for your thoughtful well said remarks. Also best wishes to Shaba, whose independent and secure personality, along with the loving care she will continue to enjoy at SDZ, most surely will get her throught the traumatic loss of Connie.
*tears* So sad for Shaba, but I’m happy that she seems to be handling it well. The love and comfort from the other ellies should ease her pain.
My condolences to the staff.
Connie was loved by many and will be missed. Rest well, dear girl.
My condolences to the keepers and vet staff. Thank you for caring for Connie and Shaba. It is sad that Connie didn’t get much time to enjoy her beautiful new home, but I’m sure she received wonderful attention and care from her new keepers. Your respect for your charges is evident.
Please continue the updates on Shaba’s progress.
I am glad that Shaba is adjusting and doing better and well. I am glad that she is good and healthy and I’m sorry about Connie , whe was a pleasure to know to and to grow up with at our Reid Park Zoo. She will be dearly missed and I hope she can now rest in peace.. <3 <3 God Bless the people that were invovled with her personally. I'm sure they did all that they could
oxoxox
I wondered if Shaba would do well with Tembo since they are both African ellies even though she is accustomed to being with Asians.
I thought it was the plan eventually to have both Tembo and Shaba join the Park’s herd so that the 2 would be with their own kind, as recommended.
But for now I can understand keeping Shaba close to those she is becoming familiar with would be best for her in her time of grief.
May she continue to work through her sorrow and with the care of all those there at the zoo and her new family of elephants I’m sure in time she will.
Please understand that Connie was brought here to Tucson the same year that I did. I was 4 years old, and loved to see her. My daughter who is now 9 has had an emotional bond with Connie as well. To live in a small town, and have the opportunity to have a zoo, such as the Reid Park Zoo formerly the Randolph Zoo, was a precious part of my life. I want so much to be happy that the elephants were moved, but it isn’t the feeling that we as a community have. We would have loved to have had her with us, at home with us. To imagine Shaba without her just breaks our hearts, and knowing she will have to make adjustments without her friend. In our view, they should have never been sent away. The two of them were so loved. Please understand that those elephants have watched many generations of families pass by and say hello, and that we have considered them family. So, please know that Shaba isn’t just any ole’ elephant, she is a family member, and so very special.
Moderator’s note: We join all of Connie’s “Tuscon Family” in mourning her, and are devoted to Shaba’s continued well being. I don’t think there’s a person here who has ever heard of, or thought of there ever being, “just any ol’ elephant.”
We recognize and respect your deep feelings towards Connie and Shaba, and hope you can sense ours.
As much as I can appreciate Tuscon’s feelings about Connie and Shaba being moved, it was far better that they did the exchange with San Diego.. You have to think how Shaba would have had to cope with no other elephants present if they hadn’t been moved and the other elephants hadn’t come to Arizona.. At least now Shaba hopefully has other elephants that can comfort her in her grief as well as keepers who know how to deal with her loss having had to go through it with other elephants there previously..
Thank you so much for this update on Shabu.
Sorry; I mispelled Shaba’s name.
I applaud the San Diego zoo for its transparency during these difficult times. I don’t understand the angry Tucson citizens who think that this could have all been prevent by not moving Connie and Shaba in the first place…. I mean, would you rather Connie died in the old Tucson enclosure or, like she fortunately did, experience the state of the art San Diego enclosure surrounded by other elephants?
My question regarding Shaba, is about Tembo…. How have their interactions (assuming they’ve had any) gone?
Moderator’s note: Your question has been forwarded to the Elephant Team at the Zoo.
Thankfully Shaba had the opportunity to meet new herd mates and gain trust in her new keepers before the passing of her longtime companion Connie. The passing of dear ones is always difficult for all of earth’s creatures. The Ellie’s seem to have long memories. Perhaps the sweetness of the memories of Connie will help Shaba as she reaches forward to new friendships on the other side of the fence.
It sounds like Connie was a wonderful mentor to Shaba for a very long time. The strength and dignity of their bond will help Shaba in her transition to new friends. That success will be a compliment to both of them.
I was so saddened to hear of Connie’s passing. A resident of Tucson since 2003, I love, and visit, Reid Park Zoo often, and am currently a member. Everyone in Tucson knew Connie & Shaba. I still have some notecards with Shaba’s paintings from years ago. I heard the story of how Connie became Shaba’s Mom when she first came to the zoo, many years ago, as an orphaned baby. From your report on Shaba’s interaction with new elephants – Connie apparently did a wonderful job with her adopted daughter, Shaba . Let this will be her legacy. They both have been missed at our zoo….Thank you for the update. Also, I lived in Fallbrook, CA for 4 years, and was a frequent visitor to the San Diego zoo as well….I know Shaba has a good home, and Connie was taken care of well during her brief time there. Rest in peace, Connie – you were well loved.
I really appreciate that you took the time to let us know how Shaba is doing. I was so sad about Connie passing, but even more sad for Shaba. Connie and Shaba brought my family so much joy. Thanks for your loving care
Thank you very much Nora for taking the time to update us on Shaba’s “Next Step”. You have made me happy to know that Shaba is beginning to get close to Mary. Having Mary as a friend, will eliminate loneliness and keep Shaba happy in the days ahead.