Comments on: Elephant Search: Finding a Needle in a Haystack http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/10/08/elephant-search-finding-a-needle-in-a-haystack/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:40:24 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Scott O'Connor http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/10/08/elephant-search-finding-a-needle-in-a-haystack/comment-page-1/#comment-431962 Scott O'Connor Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:21:42 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/elephant-search-finding-a-needle-in-a-haystack/#comment-431962 Hello Fred, My name is Scott O'Connor and in 2007 I did 6wks. of volunteering with EWB. Kelly is an old friend of mine from Buffalo. Needless to say it was a life altering experience. I was with Mike and Kelly in Namibia, Okavango delta, and home in Kasangula. I was so happy that they were able to join forces with you and the zoo, they are so dedicated and so good at what they do, that having a partner like the zoo could mean so much for the furtherment of their work. I believe Mikes research is some of the most cutting edge work being done about elephants in that part of the world, if not anywhere. Cheers, Scott O'Connor Hello Fred,
My name is Scott O’Connor and in 2007 I did 6wks. of volunteering with EWB. Kelly is an old friend of mine from Buffalo. Needless to say it was a life altering experience. I was with Mike and Kelly in Namibia, Okavango delta, and home in Kasangula. I was so happy that they were able to join forces with you and the zoo, they are so dedicated and so good at what they do, that having a partner like the zoo could mean so much for the furtherment of their work. I believe Mikes research is some of the most cutting edge work being done about elephants in that part of the world, if not anywhere. Cheers,
Scott O’Connor

]]> By: Chris Hamilton http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/10/08/elephant-search-finding-a-needle-in-a-haystack/comment-page-1/#comment-424749 Chris Hamilton Sun, 08 Feb 2009 22:00:30 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/elephant-search-finding-a-needle-in-a-haystack/#comment-424749 Fred; a great article and a fantastic project which I hope will bring about a safe sanctuary for Elephants. The Elephants without borders now have a new web site go have a look at elephantswithoutborders dot org Lots of interesting info including a photo of Fred. Fred; a great article and a fantastic project which I hope will bring about a safe sanctuary for Elephants.
The Elephants without borders now have a new web site go have a look at elephantswithoutborders dot org
Lots of interesting info including a photo of Fred.

]]> By: Jan Overman http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/10/08/elephant-search-finding-a-needle-in-a-haystack/comment-page-1/#comment-396417 Jan Overman Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:03:22 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/elephant-search-finding-a-needle-in-a-haystack/#comment-396417 Small world....big challenge. Was on safari with the parents of Dr. Michael Chase some years back and heard about his beginning work on elephant migration. Am pleased he continues his pursuit of this pivotal area of elephant conservation. His intelligence and determination along with good genes brings to the table a powerful force for this critical work. Thanks for the blog and links. Small world….big challenge. Was on safari with the parents of Dr. Michael Chase some years back and heard about his beginning work on elephant migration. Am pleased he continues his pursuit of this pivotal area of elephant conservation. His intelligence and determination along with good genes brings to the table a powerful force for this critical work. Thanks for the blog and links.

]]> By: Judy J http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/10/08/elephant-search-finding-a-needle-in-a-haystack/comment-page-1/#comment-386900 Judy J Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:27:14 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/elephant-search-finding-a-needle-in-a-haystack/#comment-386900 Hi Fred! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful adventure! It must have taken your breath away and left your heart pounding to see so many precious pachyderms together. Is it true that a herd that size is made up of many different families led by their matriarch? It looks like there were quite a few youngsters too which had to be heartwarming. I have fallen in love with these amazing animals and am awed with each thing I learn about their family dynamics and intelligence. And the goal of being able to help humans and elephants co-exist is so important to their futures. I wish you great success in this endeavor. To be able to live your dream has to be so wonderful--color me green with envy! To be able to wonder around in the middle of nowhere you must have seen and experienced things we only dream of. " All those who wander are not lost" , in the words of Tolkien. Bless you for all you do. Blessed Be With Love, Judy J Hi Fred!

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful adventure! It must have taken your breath away and left your heart pounding to see so many precious pachyderms together. Is it true that a herd that size is made up of many different families led by their matriarch? It looks like there were quite a few youngsters too which had to be heartwarming. I have fallen in love with these amazing animals and am awed with each thing I learn about their family dynamics and intelligence. And the goal of being able to help humans and elephants co-exist is so important to their futures. I wish you great success in this endeavor.

To be able to live your dream has to be so wonderful–color me green with envy! To be able to wonder around in the middle of nowhere you must have seen and experienced things we only dream of. ” All those who wander are not lost” , in the words of Tolkien. Bless you for all you do.

Blessed Be With Love, Judy J

]]> By: Diane K http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/10/08/elephant-search-finding-a-needle-in-a-haystack/comment-page-1/#comment-386200 Diane K Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:52:27 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/elephant-search-finding-a-needle-in-a-haystack/#comment-386200 What a wonderful blog! Thanks! :) What a wonderful blog! Thanks! :)

]]> By: Fred http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/10/08/elephant-search-finding-a-needle-in-a-haystack/comment-page-1/#comment-385971 Fred Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:15:32 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/elephant-search-finding-a-needle-in-a-haystack/#comment-385971 Hi Nancy & Betsy, Thanks for your interest. Ever since I was in kindergarten, I've loved animals and enjoyed wandering around in the middle of nowhere. My dream as a child was to be " Tarzan" , so I think that I'm fortunate in having my dream come true. And, Betsy, you do what you can, so taking care of your 16 year old cat is really something. Take care of yourself, too. You're right about elephant herds because they vary a lot in size. Some have even more than 500 animals. One of our main challenges is to figure out what does determine herd size, and how can we use this type of information to share with the human communities in order to enable people and elephants to co-exist. Hi Nancy & Betsy,

Thanks for your interest. Ever since I was in kindergarten, I’ve loved animals and enjoyed wandering around in the middle of nowhere. My dream as a child was to be ” Tarzan” , so I think that I’m fortunate in having my dream come true. And, Betsy, you do what you can, so taking care of your 16 year old cat is really something. Take care of yourself, too. You’re right about elephant herds because they vary a lot in size. Some have even more than 500 animals. One of our main challenges is to figure out what does determine herd size, and how can we use this type of information to share with the human communities in order to enable people and elephants to co-exist.

]]> By: Betsy http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/10/08/elephant-search-finding-a-needle-in-a-haystack/comment-page-1/#comment-385348 Betsy Thu, 09 Oct 2008 06:25:43 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/elephant-search-finding-a-needle-in-a-haystack/#comment-385348 That was a very interesting story, I never would of thought that there would have been that many elephants in a herd. 450, I am shocked at the number. I thought that elephants were being killed in Africa. I also, thought that the number would have been lower, like about 100 to 150, so that was really good news for me. I love learning more new things about elephants. I love all animals, can only have a cat now, not well enough to take care of any animals right now, but my cat is 16 years old and stays with me in the bedroom. If I could I would have more. Also, I would love to come with you on that flight over Africa. Love all you do for the elephants, and keep up the good work. Thank you for all you do for the animals! That was a very interesting story, I never would of thought that there would have been that many elephants in a herd. 450, I am shocked at the number. I thought that elephants were being killed in Africa. I also, thought that the number would have been lower, like about 100 to 150, so that was really good news for me. I love learning more new things about elephants. I love all animals, can only have a cat now, not well enough to take care of any animals right now, but my cat is 16 years old and stays with me in the bedroom. If I could I would have more. Also, I would love to come with you on that flight over Africa. Love all you do for the elephants, and keep up the good work. Thank you for all you do for the animals!

]]> By: nancy from michigan http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/10/08/elephant-search-finding-a-needle-in-a-haystack/comment-page-1/#comment-385158 nancy from michigan Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:02:41 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/elephant-search-finding-a-needle-in-a-haystack/#comment-385158 thanks Fred for all the interesting info. it has to be wonderful to do this kind of work! your flight alone would be exciting and challenging. to finally find a huge elephant herd of this magnitude after countless flight hours and 2500 sq. miles , was the ultimate reward for all your searching! animal behavior, I'm sure can be very complex at times. keep us up-dated on the gps travels of this elephant. wish I could go along on one of your adventures!!!! it beats working in an office doesn't it? how did you get interested in this line of work? just c urious!........always interested in zoo keepers, zoo vets, and animal behavorists!! thanks Fred for all the interesting info. it has to be wonderful to do this kind of work! your flight alone would be exciting and challenging. to finally find a huge elephant herd of this magnitude after countless
flight hours and 2500 sq. miles , was the ultimate reward for all your searching! animal behavior, I’m sure
can be very complex at times. keep us up-dated on the gps travels of this elephant. wish I could go along
on one of your adventures!!!! it beats working in an office doesn’t it? how did you get interested in this line of work? just c urious!……..always interested in zoo keepers, zoo vets, and animal behavorists!!

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