Umngani leads Ingadze, Kami, and Khosi.
If you haven’t made it up to the Wild Animal Park to see our new baby elephant, you’d better hurry: he is growing up fast! (See post,
Baby Elephant.) At only 3 months of age, Ingadze is almost 400 pounds (180 kilograms) and is quickly learning the tricks to being an African elephant.
Just this past week he learned how to swim in the big pool. Using his trunk as a snorkel, he followed mom Umngani out into the deep end, doggy paddling the whole way with big sister Khosi and half sister Kami there to help. When they are in the shallow end, all the elephant youngsters like to dog pile onto one another; Khosi and Kami, always with a watchful eye, make sure the boys Impunga and Musi don’t play too rough.
Khosi and Ingadze with Umngani.
Each day Ingadze grows more curious about his home. He is constantly picking up sticks and even tries to pick up rocks that are too heavy for him. He seems to enjoy water and learned how to drink with his trunk at a young age. Ingadze has many older siblings to look up to and learn from, but his two favorite pals are big sisters Khosi and Kami. Kami often leads Ingadze away from the adults, as if playing mom to him.
Ingadze, Kami, and Khosi follow Umngani.
Ingadze is full of personality and spunk and seems to seek out playtime with the keepers. Being weighed every day to monitor his growth gives us extra time to spend with him, and he seems to enjoy the attention. Positive interactions now lay the groundwork for future training sessions he will receive once old enough to eat solid foods more regularly.
So make sure to come visit Ingadze and his growing family at the Wild Animal Park. Don’t forget your cameras!!!
Laurie Amador and Mindy Albright are keepers at the Wild Animal Park.
Watch the Wild Animal Park’s elephants daily on Elephant Cam.
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June 22nd, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Will he get a profile under the cams soon??
Moderator’s note: Yes, it’s on our To-Do list.
June 22nd, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Thanks for the update Laurie and Mindy. I was about to write and ask for an update, and surprise you read my mind and wrote a great one. I love seeing the picture of the girls with Ingadze. Do he and Impunga get to play much? Does Musi still prefer to hang out with the younger elephants or is he tending to stay with the adults or go off on his own as bull elephants are known to do?
How does Mabu keep the boys in line? Or since elephants are matriarchal, who keeps the growing bulls in check?
I am curious to see how the herd dynamics continue to develop with Musi rapidly growing into an adolescent elephant, and Impunga and now Ingadze coming along behind him.
Does Khosi spend as much time with Impunga now that she has a younger brother to keep track of?
Mindy and Laurie respond: As the youngsters grow, they are learning their roles and responsibilities within the herd. Khosi and Kami are spending more time with Ingadze and Umngani learning the mothering skills that they will need. Impunga and Musi spend time together playing and sparring, as young males preparing for their adult roles as bulls.
Mabhu’s role with the young males is minimal, and he is really great with all the babies. All the moms participate in the discipline and rearing of the calves.
Thank you, Margaret, for all of your great questions!
June 22nd, 2009 at 7:10 pm
What a nice family!!! They seem very well organised to educate their little ones!!
Thanks for taking good care of them!!
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Hi Laurie and Mindy – Thank you for a delightful blog. Ten days ago we visited the WAP and spent over two hours with the beautiful elephant herd. Ingadze could not be any cuter and every time we visit we notice that he is growing up fast. Also, from your description it sounds like he one very precocious little guy. It was amazing to watch the love between big sister Khosi and her baby brother Ingadze. Just on the other side of the corral, mom Umngani was enjoying a meal while Ingadze was lying on the ground napping. Khosi stood guard over her baby brother for about ½ hour. When Ingadze awoke, the two siblings began playing together. Ingadze enjoyed jumping on Khosi and she deliberately layed down so Ingadze could “climb” on her. It was so touching to watch this beautiful family.
I am watching the Elephant Cam. It’s 3:50 P.M. PT and the herd is enjoying a sunny afternoon in the pool. What a sight to see; a beautiful family having a wonderful time splashing and romping in the pool. The juveniles would walk into the pool and submerge on one side and quickly surface on the other side.
Hopefully, this coming weekend we will visit with the elephants and all the other wonderful animals at the Wild Animal Park. I’m looking forward to seeing the elephants playing in the pool.
Laurie and Mindy, I’d like to ask a question: I’ve seen Mabu (Dad) interacting with the young elephants through the corral fence. Is Mabu ever allowed in the open area when the juveniles are out?
I would like to add that we have been visiting the WAP for many years and we are very aware of the love and care given to these gentle giants by such a dedicated and loving staff. Please know that your hard work is very much appreciated.
P.S. The photos of the elephants included in the blog are very sweet – thank you.
Mindy and Laurie respond: Mabhu spends every day with the herd in the big yard. He is great with all the females and the babies; we are very lucky to have such a great bull. Sometimes, you may find elephants separated into adjacent yards due to cleaning, training, or feeding.
Rose, we are very happy to hear that you visit often, and we thank you for your questions!
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:09 am
YEA!!! Thanks for the update about Ingadze! Sounds like he’s got plenty of brothers and sisters to learn from and play with. Can’t believe he’s 3 months old and over 400 pounds! Also love the pics that you have with this article; they are so cute. Love the size progression of the kids in one of the pics! Hope you have a cute pic and his bio info on the Meet the Elephants page by now.
I also got confirmation on one of my earlier comments about 3 of your momma elephants that are expecting babies in 2010 by the moderator. Can you please give us their names and when their due dates are? You got me curious about these mommas now! WOW!!! Baby boom at the elephant yard in WAP!!
Please write us about the 3 pregnant moms, ok? Gonna check Memphis Zoo to see if there is any more news about Asali and her upcoming birth of her baby elephant next month.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Moderator’s note: The Wild Animal Park’s African elephants Ndlulamitsi, Swazi, and Umoya are expecting babies in 2010.
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:22 am
Hi; me again! Just checked the Memphis Zoo website for any new updates about Asali, their pregnant elephant, and there’s no new update yet. I did write to them and asked them to write a new update about Asali to let us know how she’s doing. She’s due to have her baby elephant next month, July. I also got on the National Zoo website’s elephant page, and I found out that the zoo vets and keepers have done an artificial insemination (AI) procedure on her during the first week of June. They will do a checkup using ultrasound in August to see if she’s pregnant or not. Keep your fingers crossed, ok? It’s been about 7 years since she had Kandula, her male calf in 2001 (his birthday is in November), and about 5 years of AI procedures that have not panned out. Their Elephant Trails project is due to be completed in 2011, so wouldn’t it be great for Shanthi to have a new baby elephant calf born in 2011 when the new Elephant Trails is open!? I would think so! They are trying to build a viable Asian elephant population at NZ right now, and the new Elephant Trails will provide plenty of room for a good size herd there. Give them some props for that!
Well, gonna go for now. Will check in later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
June 23rd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Thanks, Moderator, for dropping the names of the 3 pregnant elephants! What is surprising to me is that Swazi has finally gotten pregnant and will be having her first baby elephant! The other 2 elephants are mothers already. Yea, Swazi!!! Have fun, you guys. Now the next question—do any of you know about what month in 2010 these 3 momma elephants will be having their babies? I know that can be a little bit tough to estimate, but give it a shot, ok? Mabu is going to be a daddy again! Happy belated Father’s Day to Mabu!! He’s the stud of the herd! He’s the dad of 4 of the 5 kids at WAP (would have been 5 out of 6 kids if the calf born last year had not died). He’s a great dad to all of them!
Well, gonna go for now. Will check back in later on.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
June 23rd, 2009 at 3:06 pm
I have one suggestion for the WAP staff. More logs! As an avid cam watcher I notice the elephants love that tree log in the middle of the exhibit. So funny to watch the baby try to get over it. Khosi just stands there staring at him.
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the updates.
June 24th, 2009 at 8:25 am
While we are all waiting for these new babies to be born, you might want to check out ZooBorns dot com.
It has become one of my favorite places to visit on a daily basis. Lots of good videos and pictures updated just about daily.
June 24th, 2009 at 10:07 am
LOVE THE NEW POOL FOR THE HERD!! just wish I could catch em swimmin! I saw them drinking from it the other day!
June 24th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! Such cutitude in such a big package! Keep the photos coming!
Thanks!
June 24th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Thanks for the update. I have been very curious about if any of the females were pregnant. Now I know. So interesting that Swazi is finally pregnant. I find it interesting that Umgani got pregnant so soon and Ndula has gone this long. I would find it interesting to understand those dynamics. Once again. Thanks. Big elephat fan here and want all the information possible.
June 24th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Thank you for the up date on baby’s new name, I was so excited to hear about the 3 new mothers to be, how exciting for WAP to have 3 ellies pregnant at the same time. I have been on African safari on my computer watching ellies in real Africa on my screen right in front of my face, that is exciting, almost like you are there in Africa. Also watched show about Botswana ellies in Africa with Dr. Mike Chase. I really love ellies. Thanks for all you do for all animals.
Moderator’s note: To learn more about Dr. Chase’s work and to participate in Project Elephant Footprint, please visit http://www.elephantodyssey.com/help/
June 24th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/conservation/animals/mammals/lend_and_ear_to_our_elephant_research_programs/ says
“At the Wild Animal Park, we are collecting samples from our bull that can be shared with other zoos to increase the genetic diversity of zoo populations in North America and allow reproduction in groups without males.”
Does Mabhulane have even more sons and daughters in other zoos yet? I found a database that only lists his WAP sons and daughters already including Ingadze (but it lists Lungile’s daughter as “noname (Audrey?),” lists Umgani as “Umgani (Calembili),” and says “This is the largest elephant database on the Internet, but it is incomplete.”).
Mindy and Laurie respond: Mabhu has only sired calves at the Wild Animal Park but is currently in the process of being trained for semen collection.
June 24th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
I am watching them right now and mama and a youngin are trunk wrestling! it’s about dusk 8:00 or so
and I think the herd is heading for the barn! too cute!!:)
June 25th, 2009 at 10:42 am
what happened to the pool or is it a bad camera angle with the sun? Looks like they lost all
their water…
Moderator’s note: The pool is often drained for cleaning.
June 25th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Thanks for the update on our beloved ellies!!! Good to finally hear news about the new addition, although I understand that the delay was due to making sure he was healthy and thriving!
June 25th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
“Mindy and Laurie respond: As the youngsters grow, they are learning their roles and responsibilities within the herd. Khosi and Kami are spending more time with Ingadze and Umngani learning the mothering skills that they will need. Impunga and Musi spend time together playing and sparring, as young males preparing for their adult roles as bulls.
“Mabhu’s role with the young males is minimal, and he is really great with all the babies. All the moms participate in the discipline and rearing of the calves.”
Thanks for the info! Vus’Musi and Impunga are also learning how to be great with the babies like Mabhulane is, right?
Also, can you tell yet if Inhlitiyo ye Inkhosikati [yes, I had to copy and paste it] or Phakamile is learning to be a matriarch like Swazi is?
“Mindy and Laurie respond: Mabhu spends every day with the herd in the big yard. He is great with all the females and the babies; we are very lucky to have such a great bull.”
Aww.
“I have one suggestion for the WAP staff. More logs! As an avid cam watcher I notice the elephants love that tree log in the middle of the exhibit. So funny to watch the baby try to get over it. Khosi just stands there staring at him.”
…It’s lo-og, lo-og,
It’s big, it’s heavy, it’s wood.
It’s lo-og, lo-og,
It’s better than bad, it’s good…
“Mindy and Laurie respond: Mabhu has only sired calves at the Wild Animal Park but is currently in the process of being trained for semen collection.”
Thanks for responding, and I hope the training goes well.
June 26th, 2009 at 10:30 am
whoa!! I see 2 deer in the elephant yard right now!
when is the ‘pond’ getting filled up again? Just curious(like George)
June 26th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Hi, you all! Just got off my email, and I got an answer from the Memphis Zoo about Asali, their pregnant elephant. Asali is doing very well, has been getting ultrasounds to monitor the baby’s movements, and they are on 24/7 birth watch now. They are really excited about Asali being a first time mom to a baby elephant calf, and are looking forward to Asali giving birth in July. So, keep on praying for Asali in that everything goes well for her.
Cindy in MO, I saw a deer in the elephant yard on the elephant cam myself about a couple of weeks ago. I’m wondering what kind of deer it is, and I’m hoping the moderator will answer that question for us ASAP!
Well, I thought I would write back to give you all a short update that I got from Memphis Zoo about Asali. Will get back to you later. Oh yeah, was on the elephant cam and I saw a dry pool and keepers doing yard work; no elephants yet! I have been seeing Ingadze on the cam a couple of times on the cam this week, tho. He’s so small compared to the other kids! Still no picture and bio info on the Meet the Elephants page yet.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Moderator’s note: Native mule deer often jump in and out of the elephants’ yard at the Wild Animal Park. And as we’ve told you before, we are working on updating the Meet the Elephants page and will let you know when Ignadze’s bio, photo, and other updates are complete.
June 26th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
I just saw the little guy chasing a mule deer. I think you guys have a little stinker on your hands.
June 26th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Thanks Mindy and Laurie for this blog. For your information, Ingadze had a first at two months old. I gave you a DVD named Khosi’s Baby Brother. In the second segment, about 30 minutes into the DVD, on May 15, 2009, at the age of 2 months, Ingadze (for those who have shown an interest in logs) actually crossed over the log, after a certain amount of squirming, and actually landed standing up on all four feet. As far as I know, this is a first. Kami is great at log crossing, but the first few tries she always landed on her head. Then she got to be an expert and started showing off for the boys who generally didn’t fare too well in the log crossing contest. Ingadze should get the log-crossing trophy for this feat. Thanks to all the keepers who provide care for all these elephants who have given me so many hours enjoyment over the years. A special thanks to Mindy, Laurie, and Erin and Laurie, that is the DVD with the tiny writing, Khosi’s Baby Brother, I gave you earlier today. By the way, I’m still waiting for the time when I actually get to see and video the elephants playing in the pool the way you described in your blog.
June 26th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
“I just saw the little guy chasing a mule deer. I think you guys have a little stinker on your hands.”
A mule fawn or a full-grown mule deer? Either way, maybe Inhlitiyo ye Inkhosikati taught Ingadze how to chase deer? Read about her chasing a deer at http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/sound-the-alarm/
June 26th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Chari #21 – “Still no picture and bio info on the Meet the Elephants page yet”. Please be patient. What’s the rush?
Give the staff at the Elephant Exhibit a break. The care of these 8,000-pound plus animals is monumental. Most of the work of the Staff requires heavy lifting. I’ve watched them working and I can tell you that it is an exhausting process.
The entire Elephant Exhibit is huge and its cleaning is a momentous task. Just feeding and cleaning one elephant is extremely laborious. The Staff feeds, cleans, trains and they medically check 12 elephants every day.
The picture and bio that you have mentioned, five or more times, is trivial compared to the other necessary work to keep these beautiful elephants healthy and happy. Just let it all happen and your picture and bio will magically appear on the Meet the Elephants page.
June 27th, 2009 at 8:08 am
What an entertaining account of Ignadze’s learning to swim and play with his full and half siblings. Thank you.
June 27th, 2009 at 8:12 am
Rose #4: Thank you for adding your delightful observations — well done.
June 27th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
How many elephants can the WAP accommodate? Will the herd eventually need to be broken up? Thank you for the information and photos. I really enjoy hearing about the elephants.
June 29th, 2009 at 11:41 am
“How many elephants can the WAP accommodate? Will the herd eventually need to be broken up?”
In the wild, adolescent/young adult bull elephants do leave their herds. I asked about this in comment #12 at http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/sleeping-giants/ and got a great answer:
“Jeff Andrews, Elephant Care Manager, responds: When it’s time for Musi to leave his current herd, we’ll select a facility in advance that best meets his social needs and the general population’s genetic needs. If things don’t work out for whatever reason, we can always move him to another home that was also high on our list. But all of this is many years away.”
I don’t know if you count adolescent/young adult bulls leaving their mothers’ herds as those herds breaking up to a degree, but years from now the WAP will send some elephants (Vus’Musi, Impunga, and Ingadze) to other herds.
June 29th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Hi Laurie & Mindy – I finally got to watch Mabu interact with the herd in the big yard.
Yesterday afternoon we visited the Elephant Exhibit. When we arrived at the Overlook – I immediately saw Mabu, Umngani, Khosi and Ingadze standing side-by-side close to the corral fence. Mabu was caressing his adorable son Ingadze with his trunk. He took turns touching both Khosi, then Ingadze – he sure is a loving daddy.
The entire herd was out in the yard and enjoying the beautiful day. The large pool was not in use, so; Ingadze, Khosi and Kami were all enjoying the “small pool” – of course under the watchful eye of Umngani. The youngsters were having so much fun. I noticed that little Ingadze is now a seasoned swimmer – he would literally roll from side to side in the water completely submerged. Later, when the boys started to play a little rough, Umngani immediately pushed them out of the pool. – “Safety first.”
While we were enjoying the antics of all the youngsters, the keepers came out into the corral area with small bales of hay for the elephants. The keepers threw out small bundles of hay over the fence and on the ground throughout the yard. The hay was followed by treats that were handed, one at time, to the elephants. One elephant wanted more so the keeper showed it the empty pail to indicate “that’s all there is”.
All the visitors enjoyed watching the interaction of the keepers with the elephants. These elephants are a beautiful family. The whole family loves their keepers and enjoys it when the keepers spend some time with them and give them a little “scratch” on the trunk, head and backside. The elephants press their backside against the fence to tell the keepers “scratch me now”. 
Everyone around us at the Overlook mentioned that these elephants are very lucky to have such a spacious and beautiful exhibit. It is obvious that they are a very happy and healthy elephant family. We had a wonderful Sunday afternoon visiting the elephants.
Thank you to the entire Staff for doing such a wonderful job with these magnificent elephants.
Moderator’s note: Thank you for sharing your day with our elephant fans!
June 29th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
“Hi Laurie & Mindy – I finally got to watch Mabu interact with the herd in the big yard.
“Yesterday afternoon we visited the Elephant Exhibit. When we arrived at the Overlook – I immediately saw Mabu, Umngani, Khosi and Ingadze standing side-by-side close to the corral fence. Mabu was caressing his adorable son Ingadze with his trunk. He took turns touching both Khosi, then Ingadze – he sure is a loving daddy…”
Cool!
June 30th, 2009 at 7:47 am
In regard to Musi. I would have thought that he would be kept since he isn’t related to the others and could be bred with Kosi and Kami and other second generation females.
June 30th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I have just spent the last 30 minutes watching a splash in the pool by several of the herd. I suppose the older calves were teaching Ingadze (I’m assuming that was him…really small calf) the ‘rules of the pool’, because the three of them were making sure the youngest one didn’t make it into the water. No matter how hard he tried to get close, the older ones kept rushing at him, making him turn around and go back up the hill. It was adorable. I love watching the elephants in the water, getting wet, then going out to the beach and throwing sand on their backs and bellies. Ah, the golden days of summer! (Of course, in southern California, it’s nearly always summer!:) ) What a treat!
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:53 am
“Just let it all happen and your picture and bio will magically appear on the Meet the Elephants page.
”
One more suggestion to whomever will update the Meet the Elephants page someday (no rush! I know the keepers, webmasters, etc. are very busy!):
Along with Ingadze’s picture and bio, how about maybe also adding everyone’s full name (so far everyone gets their nicknames listed, but Inhlitiyo ye Inkhosikati’s left out while everyone else has their full names listed) and a bit of info about the mule deer (for people new to the Elephant Overlook webcam who don’t already know about them, see a deer, and think “what was *that* doing in there?!”)?
Again, I don’t want to pressure anyone to implement this stuff in a hurry! I know the zookeepers are busy taking care of the elephants, the webmasters are busy with Project Elephant Footprint, etc. I just wanted to pass on the suggestion in case whomever manages the webpage would be interested.
Moderator’s note: Great ideas, Mark! We’ll see what we can do.
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:29 am
“Moderator’s note: Great ideas, Mark! We’ll see what we can do.”
Thank you!
Also, unfortunately I just realized something else about adding a note about the deer: would you need to include a disclaimer such as “The fact that it’s OK for wild mule deer to jump into the elephant habitat does not mean it’s OK for you to jump into the elephant habitat”?
Some facilities have had problems with people leaving toddlers unattended enough to fall into gorilla encosures (Jambo at Jersey Zoo and Binti Jua of Brookfield Zoo both had to look after injured little boys), people climbing into panda enclosures (Gu Gu at Beijing Zoo had 3 separate people barging into his space in 2 years), a person diving into an orca enclosure (Tilikum at Orlando Sea World had a trespasser stuck on his back), etc.
July 5th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
When are they going to start building the passageeay sot thr Ele’s can have both sides? Watched the babies in the pool for a good half hour the other.day. Priceless!!!
Moderator’s note: Access for the elephants from the African exhibit to the “old” Asian elephant exhibit should be ready by the end of the year.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Hello everyone! It’s a happy day at Memphis Zoo. African elephant, Asali, gave birth to a baby girl, at about 10:30 last night. They had been on baby watch for several days. The birth went well. The initial baby-mom picture is posted on the Memphis Zoo website. Chari Mercier, I immediately thought of you, when I read my update today. And I was (sort of) proud to learn that Asali was born in a South Texas zoo, though I wish none of them had to be born in captivity. If I had my way, all animals everywhere would be free to roam in their own native habitat, free of danger from those who want to harm them. And we are all grateful to animal curators everywhere for taking care of those who need us to help them survive.
Congratulations to Memphis Zoo and Asali.
July 7th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
right now 6 out of 7 are swimming in the pool! having a good time!!!!! The ‘bull’ doesnt want any part of it,but he acts like he wants them out!!! too much fun!!
July 8th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
After being so elated yesterday about the birth of a baby elephant at Memphis Zoo, I am now so saddened to report that the calf has died. The calf stumbled and fell while walking around, and mom Asali tried to help her get up with her trunk. She accidentally injured the calf with her tusk. The calf was immediately taken to the animal hospital, but the injury was too severe, and they were not able to save her. She was such a beautiful little baby, and there was so much promise. I am devastated after hearing this news
Moderator’s note: We, too, are saddened by their loss.
July 8th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
I was readinjg something on Zoochat earlier (a zoo forum) and someone mentioned that San Diego Wild Animal Park was due to recieve Lowry Park Zoo’s elephant bull “Msholo” soon.
If this is true, what will happen to Mabu?
Also, I come bringing sad news
Asali’s calf died this morning following a tumble in the exhibit. Asali tried helping her up, but her tusk injured the calf severly and she died following valiant efforts to save her
Sorry I had to be the bearer of bad news but I thought you fans would like to know
July 8th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Cindy in Mo – I had the pleasure of watching the ’swim party’ as well yesterday. There was a lot of rolling around and getting totally wet. They were having a ball. And baby Ingadze was right in the middle of everything. First time I’ve seen the family (except one) enjoying the pool.
July 8th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
“After being so elated yesterday about the birth of a baby elephant at Memphis Zoo, I am now so saddened to report that the calf has died. The calf stumbled and fell while walking around, and mom Asali tried to help her get up with her trunk. She accidentally injured the calf with her tusk. The calf was immediately taken to the animal hospital, but the injury was too severe, and they were not able to save her. She was such a beautiful little baby, and there was so much promise. I am devastated after hearing this news”
That’s terrible!
She got so little time in the world, and Asali had been through so much on the way to her birth. My condolences to Asali, Memphis Zoo, and everyone else concerned.
“I was readinjg something on Zoochat earlier (a zoo forum) and someone mentioned that San Diego Wild Animal
Park was due to recieve Lowry Park Zoo’s elephant bull ‘Msholo’ soon.
“If this is true, what will happen to Mabu?”
…meanwhile, yesterday I wondered “Since Inhlitiyo ye Inkhosikati and Phakamile shouldn’t inbreed with Mabhulane and Impunga and Ingadze (who I bet wouldn’t want sex with them anyway!), and won’t have Vus’musi’s babies since he’ll need to leave Ndlulamitsi’s herd as part of growing up, whose babies *can* they have? Artificial insemination’s an option but I heard it’s uncomfortable even for women who know what they’re getting into and pay good money for it so it would probably feel worse for elephants. Maybe some other bull in their generation will enter this herd the way Vus’musi will enter a herd elsewhere?”
Then I looked up “Lowry Park Zoo” and “Msholo” on the web, and found the article “South Africa’s resumption of elephant culls reverberates at Lowry Park” in the St. Petersburg Times, by Thomas French, Times Staff Writer, in print: Tuesday, February 26, 2008:
“…Three of the African elephants on display at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo were born in South Africa’s Kruger National Park and were survivors of earlier culls before the ban in 1995.
“As calves, these three elephants — a bull named Msholo and cows named Matjeka and Mbali — were spared as the rest of their family groups were killed. After the culls, they and other orphaned survivors were moved to game parks in Swaziland, a tiny kingdom in eastern South Africa…”
“In August 2003, in a move that sparked protests on both sides of the Atlantic, 11 wild elephants were flown from Swaziland to the United States — seven headed for the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, four for Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa. One of the four at Lowry Park, a bull named Sdudla, has since been sent on loan to the Montgomery Zoo in Alabama for breeding…”
Could moving Msholo to the WAP be a family reunion?
July 8th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I am watching the swim party again happening right now! All but one are in! I just wish
the camera could zoom in just a bit! It is so much fun watching them all!
July 8th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Are precautions being taken so Lungile doesn’t become pregnant again?
July 9th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Hi! Mark, I read the whole statement on the Memphis Zoo website last nite after reading some of the comments from some people about Asali’s calf. That has got to be the most heartbreaking loss that anyone can feel right now! The elephant keepers at MZ were very excited about this calf being a part of the permanent herd that they have been trying to establish at the zoo, and they had plans to put some names on their website for us to vote on. WOW!!! How things can change so quickly! My prayers and condolences go out to the MZ elephant keeper staff, vets, and especially to Asali in this huge loss. Hopefully, when things settle down and Asali is more comfortable with the loss, they can consider doing another AI procedure on Asali and hope for another baby elephant birth sometime soon. What was really sad about this loss was that the calf was a GIRL! I was sure hoping that Asali and her baby will become the picture of African elephant conservation alongside WAP’s elephant herd, especially after Atlanta Zoo lost Dottie and her unborn calf nearly a year ago. Preserving both the Asian and African elephants is so paramount because of the conditions in Africa and southern Asia right now.
I just read some comments about another elephant culling coming up and that there are some more African elephants coming to SDZ and to Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida. Hopefully, someone can get that totally confirmed. It will be nice for both zoos to have more elephants so that there will be a diversity of the gene pool from the elephants. I do wonder about Mabu and if there are plans to keep him at WAP or what the story is with him. Hope he stays! He’s been a great daddy to all of the calves in the herd! Just saw the elephant cam and watched the keepers hard at work in the elephant yard and cleaning the pool at 5pm EDT my time. No sign of the elephants!
I think I wrote to you about Shanthi, National Zoo’s Asian elephant, having an AI procedure done about a month ago. The keepers there should know sometime in August if she is definitely pregnant or not. Keep your fingers crossed, elephant lovers! And, of course, we are waiting patiently for the 3 motherstobe to have their babies in 2010 at WAP! Any idea of what months in 2010 those elephants will be having babies? Hope you all can let us know about that when you do get a good idea of possible months those babies are due. Rita, I just read your short comment about Lungile possibly on birth control? I hope not! She needs to have another chance of having a baby elephant and being a mother soon!
Well, gonna go for now. Will check back in later on.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
PS: Moderators, we need answers to some of these comments! Please let us know what you all know, ok? Thanks!!
July 9th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
“My prayers and condolences go out to the MZ elephant keeper staff, vets, and especially to Asali in this huge loss. Hopefully, when things settle down and Asali is more comfortable with the loss, they can consider doing another AI procedure on Asali and hope for another baby elephant birth sometime soon.”
I’ve read some stuff about how uncomfortable AI procedures can be, but the elephant species are near extinction, so I hope they also can make it more comfortable for her and everyone else having it in the future.
“What was really sad about this loss was that the calf was a GIRL!”
True, and I bet Asali would mourn just as much now whether she had lost a daughter, son, or intersex baby.
“I just read some comments about another elephant culling coming up…”
Isn’t it sad? In a better world nobody would face choosing between culling elephants and starving rhinos, need to euthanize a baby elephant, have to put an elephant on methadone (look up Xiguang of Yunnan Wild Animal Park), and so on.
“…and that there are some more African elephants coming to SDZ and to Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida. Hopefully, someone can get that totally confirmed.”
I checked Google News and couldn’t find anything on what Calvin said about Msholo possibly being transferred from Lowry Park to the WAP (although I did find that info on Msholo being from the same herd as the WAP crew in the first place!).
“It will be nice for both zoos to have more elephants so that there will be a diversity of the gene pool from the elephants.”
…and a diversity of social experiences.
“I do wonder about Mabu and if there are plans to keep him at WAP or what the story is with him. Hope he stays! He’s been a great daddy to all of the calves in the herd!”
Even Vus’musi, who isn’t biologically his son but could sort of count as a foster son? I hope so!
“Rita, I just read your short comment about Lungile possibly on birth control? I hope not! She needs to have another chance of having a baby elephant and being a mother soon!”
Well, whenever she’s ready even if it’s not soon. Also see comment #15 at http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/sleeping-giants/ :
“Jeff Andrews, Elephant Care Manager, responds: Lungile is not currently pregnant. But she probably will become pregnant again in the next few years. Umngani and her calves are all doing great together. Her interbirth interval was shorter than average but averages are just that, somewhere near the middle of two extremes. Ndlulamitsi, Swazi, and Umoya are all due in 2010.”
Seems like Lungile’s not on contraception so she’ll have a chance whenever she and Mabhulane are in the mood for sex together.
“PS: Moderators, we need answers to some of these comments! Please let us know what you all know, ok? Thanks!!
”
Thanks in advance and no rush, we know you’re busy.
Moderator’s note: Thanks for your patience, Mark. We have sent these questions to our elephant care staff and await their answers for posting. They are indeed busy folk!
July 11th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
I just heard more bad news. Zoo New England, which runs Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo, may have to close and euthanize some animals if the General Court doesn’t override that line item of the Massachusetts state budget.
July 12th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
I made a comment on this page, I am now asking a question, please can someone tell me on July 12th, why was the camera pointed up in the air at 3:45 pm, San Diego time. I was watching baby Ingadze and Khosi and mom swimming and after they left, I was waiting for more ellies and the camera was turned up to the sky at the big yellow balloon. I waited for an hour and then turned to pandas. Was just curious why the sky? Thanks for all you do.
Moderator’s note: We’ve readjusted the camera. Thank you for alerting us to the problem.
July 13th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
BTW, on the webcam starting at 3:34 pm EDT today I saw 2 elephants (and the feet of a 3rd for a short while). Given the size differences and the lack of tusks, my guess is the smaller was Ingadze and the larger was Inhlitiyo ye Inkhosikati (did I ID them right?). They were on the steps to the pool and then the smaller one went along that trail in the upper-left corner and back, but not in the pool. Then Khosi wandered off and Ingadze seemed to be eating something or at least practicing, moving the tip of his trunk back and forth between ground level and his mouth. Is that normal for his age?
July 14th, 2009 at 5:51 am
I agree with the above. Was it a hot air balloon that got too low and was stuck in the trees?? Or perhaps, it was the sun prisms on the camera but it was weird looking. I was waiting for the ‘gang’.
I love it when they go swimming!
July 14th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
If there is talk of another culling, why couldn;t the Ele’s be moved to the facility in Somerset county Penna, which already has the Ele’s from the Philly Zoo? I personally would not approve of any moving of Mabu, He obivously enjoys, and cares for his children. Try birth control on the Ele’s when you don’t want any more babies.My opinion.
July 14th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Hi! I read a very interesting and disturbing article on the MSNBC website earlier today that I thought would be of interest to all of you. This was about African elephants and black rhinos, two species of animals that are on the endangered list. This was written by a reporter out of Nairobi, Kenya, and was online today, July 14.
Hopefully, after reading this short synopsis of the article, everyone will understand how very important it is to work extremely hard to protect these animals from poaching activities in Africa and in other countries that they inhabit. It’s a shame that even tho CITES has had this ban in place since 1989, very few leaders in the affected countries will work hard enough to enforce this ordinance, arrest these poachers, and hand down the longest, stiffest prison sentences to where these poachers won’t get out for 20 years. It will have to be up to us, the zoos, and sanctuaries to work very hard to educate people not only here in the US but also in Africa on how to protect endangered animals, their habitats, and use conservation mehtods that will preserve those habitats. There’s a song by the late Michael Jackson called “Earth Song” that really sends that message home on what we are doing to our world and to the animal populations in this world. You can look for that video and song on Youtube. That is why it was so sad when Asali lost her calf in that accident in Memphis Zoo, when Dottie and her unborn calf died in Atlanta Zoo, and when Lungile’s calf died from health problems at SDZ’s WAP. Those losses are very significant for both the African and Asian elephants in those zoos and in all of the zoos here in the US and around the world. It’s wonderful to know that there are mother elephants at WAP, National Zoo, and other zoos and sanctuaries that are successfully getting pregnant and having their baby calves born healthy and thriving. All of the elephant keepers in all of these institutions deserve huge congratulations for all of the hard work they do in caring for the elephants as well as giving tremendous education lessons to thousands of people every year to help us be aware of how delicate the wild elephants and black rhinos are in while living in their wild habitats, and how dangerous it is for them. Rick Schwartz’s trip to Botswana to track African elephants was very important in that hard work of conservation and saving wild elephants there. That’s valuable information that he has gotten for his research.
Well, gonna go for now. Hopefully, there will be something good that will come out of this article about the plight of elephants and rhinos!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
PS: The other species of rhinos are the white rhinos, and I think they are found in India and Africa. They are also listed as endangered because of poaching for their horns.
July 15th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
5:47 EDT July 15, and there are 7 elephants on the webcam right now!
I’ve never seen this many on the webcam at once before.
July 15th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
The thing with Mabu is that if he is repeatitivaly bred to the same females over and over again, there will be no gentic diversity and to many elephants will end up being related to each other
Look at it this way
If the WAP decided to inseminate 12 different females with Mabu’s sperm, that would be twelve less potential mates for the WAP calves
This is why zoos attempt to use many males to breed (There was a similar situation with Jackson, to many elephants became related to him)
July 15th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Thanks cam operator. Loved the shots panning around the enclosure!
July 16th, 2009 at 11:56 am
The ‘gang’ looks like they need more grass in their yard today. Love the panning shots of the yard. I wish all your zoo cam operators would do it more often.
Moderator’s note: We now have a volunteer crew of cam operators for Elephant Cam, Polar Cam, and Ape Cam. We’ll pass along your compliments.
July 16th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
First things first, I noticed two logs in the middle of the exhibit. Deborah, did you see that too? It’s a response to your comment where it matters – not in the blog for us humans, but in the yard for the elephants!
“…That is why it was so sad when Asali lost her calf in that accident in Memphis Zoo, when Dottie and her unborn calf died in Atlanta Zoo, and when Lungile’s calf died from health problems at SDZ’s WAP. Those losses are very significant for both the African and Asian elephants in those zoos and in all of the zoos here in the US and around the world…”
That’s only part of why it’s so sad. It’s also sad because the individuals suffered, because their herds and human caretakers grieve, and also because there’s a chance Asali blames herself for her daughter’s death (she tried to help her daughter, something happened with her tusk and her baby, now her baby’s gone, and how could the veterinarians explain to her that it was an accident and explain their attempts to save her daughter? I wouldn’t be surprised if they can’t!) so now she’d feel both grief and guilt.
“The thing with Mabu is that if he is repeatitivaly bred to the same females over and over again, there will be no gentic diversity and to many elephants will end up being related to each other
“Look at it this way
“If the WAP decided to inseminate 12 different females with Mabu’s sperm, that would be twelve less potential mates for the WAP calves…”
OTOH, don’t elephants in the wild tend to not mate with other elephants who grew up in the same generation and herd as they did in the first place? I heard that among wild elephants:
a) adolescent cows tend to stay in their mothers’ herds for life
b) adolescent bulls tend to leave their mothers’ herds
then go off alone or form bachelor herds
then maybe later join other cows-and-calves herds
and only mate with cows who aren’t in their mothers’ herds
…so as a result male calves still aren’t potential mates for female calves in their mothers’ herds even if a male and female don’t have any genetic parents in common. For example, a wild counterpart of Vus’musi wouldn’t be a potential mate for a wild counterpart of Phakamile because she’d stay in his mother’s herd (since it’s her mother’s herd too) and he wouldn’t stay.
“…This is why zoos attempt to use many males to breed (There was a similar situation with Jackson, to many elephants became related to him)”
Good point!
Meanwhile, that’s what the SSPs (Species Survival Plans) are for, right? Preventing inbreeding and keeping track of who are whose parents in zoo populations of endangered species?
Anyway, speaking of Mabhulane and fatherhood, he’s good with the babies
so now I wonder how good he was with Vus’musi back when he was the baby of the herd.
July 16th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Hi! I just checked my comments about the article from the MSNBC website, and I noticed that the most vital, important information from that article was removed from my comments. Does anyone want to know the real truth about what is happening to the elephant and black rhino populations in Africa, or are we all too desensitized to what is happening over there? Do we care enough? I feel that the only way to stop what is going on there is to KNOW the real information about why these elephants and rhinos are being killed, and that their numbers are continuing to go down despite some efforts in a few African countries to try to stop the poaching activities. Unfortunately, not every country is doing the job very effectively. All of the zoos here in the USA that are caring for elephants and rhinos are doing their best to educate people about what is happening to elephants and rhinos, about conservation efforts on their habitats, and trying to reach other places that will help these magnificent animals from going extinct in the wild. I do hope that you all did get a chance to get on the MSNBC website, looked up the article, and read it. It will just blow your mind on what these authorities are up against dealing with the illegal ivory/horn trade, and the deaths of those animals that those horns and ivory tusks came from.
Sorry for sounding like I am a little bit peeved, but I thought that the info I wrote in my earlier comment would give people some great info about what is happening with the elephants and rhinos, and hopefully that will help everyone to think about what can be done to try to save them from poaching activities in Africa and Asia.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Moderator’s note: Chari, we try not to allow people to paste portions of other Web sites’ text into comments here. We hoped that by just referencing the Web site where you got the info, those interested could go there to read more.
July 19th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
the little ones are loving the pool right now! The adults are doing their best to get them out
but no way!! falling over and rolling in it! how funny!
July 20th, 2009 at 6:51 am
Sure enjoyed the Sunday 7PM+ pool party! All five children plus Umngani and a walkby of a muledeer followed by her offspring. Many thanks to the volunteer camster for leaving the camera aimed at the pool with enough zoom to identify. Umngami has one fancy set of tusks!
July 20th, 2009 at 10:49 am
“Sure enjoyed the Sunday 7PM+ pool party! All five children plus Umngani and a walkby of a muledeer followed by her offspring.”
Just followed? Not chased? Sounds like the grownups taught the kids some neighborly manners!
July 20th, 2009 at 11:24 am
The camera was aimed perfectly last night so we could watch Ingadze, Mom, and many other elephants frolicking in the pool from about 7:15 p.m. to about 8:00 p.m. We just couldn’t stop watching. I want to congratulate you on your new method of transmission, also. There is no start and stop freeze type movements. The elephants were in continuous movement just like watching a program on the TV. FANTASTIC! Thanks for all the volunteers that help to aim the camera at the action during the day and for making so many closeups. Thanks to all the keepers that I am sure love to come to work each day. I keep seeing Ingadze playing with Mom. There’s plenty of tusk to tell who she is!
Moderator’s note: We’ll pass along your thanks to our new Cam Crew volunteers!
July 20th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
“I want to congratulate you on your new method of transmission, also. There is no start and stop freeze type movements.”
Maybe your ISP made a change? I still get the start and stop freeze type movements, and always figured the problem was on my end (I have Verizon DSL) instead of the SDZ’s.
Anyway, it’s 5:42 EDT here and the kids (4 of them?) are in the pool again! One of the adults has been lifeguarding, the hot air balloon is a few trees away, and 3 more adults just arrived…and now 2 of the kids are out of the water…now there seem to be 9 or 10 elephants total and maybe one of them’s Vus’musi (hard for me to judge all the relative sizes given the camera angle and different distances)…now none of the little kids are fully out of the water…I’d better Submit Comment now
July 20th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
5 PM EST here and just got to watch a great pool party going on. Whoever was working the cam, thanks for zooming in. It looked like all the kids including the littlest one and I could almost hear them saying…Marco….Polo!!!!!
July 21st, 2009 at 6:53 am
Can’t find any pictures of the adult and children of the African Elephants. There used to be a column of them on the right side of the screen so they could be seen whenever logged on. Is there some way to get to see these pictures with the proper names related to the proper elephants? Is there a special word to use to see this?
Moderator’s note: We do have almost all of the elephants listed on the Meet the Elephants page http://www.sandiegozoo.org/elephantcam/meet.html. Please know that we are in the process of updating this page with new descriptions, photos, and the newest calf.
July 21st, 2009 at 9:57 am
Thank the cam volunteers for putting the camera on Umgani and baby Ingadze and Khosi, I watched for over an hour on the 21st at 4pm eastern time, was so great, baby was moving legs and trunk just like mom, but he does not get much sleep for a baby though. Thanks again camera people, doing a great job and I appreciate what you are doing.
July 21st, 2009 at 10:50 am
Re item 65. My wife informed me that the easiest way to get the information is to bring up the elephant cam and the words MEET THE ELEPHANTS (in a column to the left of the elephant cam picture) can be clicked on to get the display. Just the info I was looking for. Will be glad to see an update that includes Ingadze. Thanks.
July 21st, 2009 at 6:18 pm
To the camera volunteers and staff: it’s 9:12 EDT here and thanks for panning and zooming so we get a better view of whoever this adult is who’s checking out the fence!
What’s on the other side? Is that the path going between the African elephant exhibit and the old Asian elephant exhibit? Maybe he or she is wondering where the other elephants went, or dropping you a big hint that you should let them in that space soon. 
To anyone here who has spare time and tech savvy (SDZ and WAP staff, this means not you – elephant care is a higher priority than my video issues!): Today I yet again got the start and stop freeze type movements. Any idea how to fix this, or is it just an inevitable consequence of my watching the webcam on a DSL connection?
Moderator’s note: It is your connection.
July 21st, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Great job with the live web cam! The zoom feature is just awesome and I’m loving it!!!
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:16 am
“Moderator’s note: It is your connection.”
It sure is! I guess I was wondering if anyone else here who uses DSL at home had figured out how to fix it.
July 22nd, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Hi! I’ve been out of my apartment for a couple of days so that our maintenance guys can repair and replace a bad pipenear my kitchen. So, I didn’t have computer access since me and family were in a hotel room with no WI-FI in it! Anyway, finally got back on the computer, checked the elle-cam and saw at least 3-4 elephants playing in that large pool of water just enjoying themselves! This was after 7pm EDT (4pm PDT). It was very nice to see them having some fun in the pool. It would have been nice to have a good closeup of the elephants in the pool. Maybe next time!
Well, gonna go and check on the pandacams. Will check back here later on.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Don’t you weigh your elephants on a regular basis? In the MEET THE ELEPHANTS column you shown the weight of 7 of the elephants as of 2007. I don’t know about other people, but I am sure curious as to how much more they weigh than they did in 2007. I know you are planning to update the page soon, but just changing the weights on the page would seem to be a fairly simple thing to do before a total update. Here’s hoping you will try and will do it soon. Thanks.
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Have a great Zoo Keepers Week, elephant keepers! You all have done a magnificent job with all of the elephants both at EO and WAP. There are 5 successfully growing baby elephants with 3 more coming next year, and all of the elephants that I see on the cam are in very good shape. Maybe some day you all can get a cam over at EO so that we can watch those elephants on the elephant cam there!
Keep up the great work that you all are doing for the Asian and African elephants, along with the conservation efforts. All of these elephants are in very good hands!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Thanks for the unusual, unpredictable, unscheduled, often interrupted, morning you all shared with me. Had a great time.
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Got back on the elephant cam, and I watched a nice gathering of elephants, along with the kids, by the back wall where the keepers were standing on, and these elephants would go to the keepers to see what these guys had for them! What was going on there at around 6:30pm PDT in the late afternoon? I did see little tiny Inghadze(?) by his mom, and he can still walk under his mom! He’s the cutest of the bunch! Well, gonna go for now. Will check back in later on.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
July 24th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Message for Erin. Thanks. Perfect explanation.
July 24th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Thanks so much for letting the Elephant Cam viewers watch the kids play, Friday, July 24th, around 6:30 pm. It looked like Ingadze wanted to play with the big guys and was even practicing on a log.
July 24th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Love the closeups of the babies playing. You are wonderful cam operators!!!!
July 26th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Pool status? On July 20 we were enjoying watching a 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. pool party and it seemed as if all the elephants were enjoying it, especiallly the little ones. On July 23 a roto-rooter was present. Is there an estimate as to when we will be able to watch some more elephant pool parties?
Moderator’s note: As of July 29, the pool is now fixed and should be filled soon.
July 27th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Why don’t you update the Blogs more often? I have not seen a new picture of the baby Elephant yet, and there has been no new news about Mooses changing behavior and other Elephant info.
July 27th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Watching the elephants this evening I noted what looked like one adult and one juvenile and I’m not sure what they were doing but one seem to be pushing the other around and they were moving rather fast around the enclosure. The others seemed to just back off, even the little ones, so I wondered if there was some sort of disagreement or if it was just a form of play.
July 28th, 2009 at 11:20 am
WOW there is alot of people on the cam right now, is this a tour group?
July 30th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Spent the day at the WAP yesterday and the Ele’s seemed to be having a nice day. When Khosi and Inky wandered of the Momma the were called back with some very loud shrieks and came running.
July 30th, 2009 at 9:46 am
Hi! Just saw the elephant cam, and it looks like the large pool has water in it! YEA!!! Now, the elephants can have some swim time today! Also, for all of you elephant fans that are pandafans, Bai is PREGNANT with TWINS!! The panda keepers have their newest update on the panda page right now with a great pic of the ultrasound and a video link of the procedure being done on Bai. We are all hoping that she has a very successful birth of both cubs, and the keepers are standing by in case they have to take care of one of them. Bai will be a momma for the 5th time! Now, we have to wait on the 3 pregnant elephant moms due to give birth to their calves in 2010, and hopefully, polar bear Chinook will have a couple of cubs sometime this fall if everything falls into place for her. SDZ is still in baby boom mode! I’ll get back on the cam later on to catch the ellies in the pool splashing around, especially the kids!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
July 30th, 2009 at 11:08 am
out door yard area looks a little sad lately- too bad cant add more grass and such– why was the water empty for so long? is full now. No ellies out though-
July 31st, 2009 at 3:51 pm
HI, today I have been watching ellie cam for almost an hour and it is pointing on the ground. Please could some one put it up please. Thank you so much, I know hard you all work, but I love to watch my favorite animal, the elephant.
July 31st, 2009 at 5:36 pm
I have to admit that I didn’t get to the elephant until around 5:30 WAP time. Ground looks interesting….strange monster tracks of some kind, in front of a foreign structure of a sort. Guess all the gals and guys are keeping you all extra busy. Have a good weekend!
July 31st, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Hi! Just got on the ellie cam at 9:20pm EDT, and it looks like there’s a new cam on top of that small building. Is that a new location for the cam? Currently it is looking down at the sandy ground. Thought I would let you know! Will keep checking the cam as much as possible, but I am still on Bai Yun watch. New cub(s) coming very soon! Catch you later! Have a good weekend, you all!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
August 4th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Camera problem? There seems to be some wind blowing the branches of a tree but nothing more. Wonder if you are aware?
August 7th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Congratulations to Bai Yun and the SDZ, even if she and her new son or daughter did inadvertently indirectly crash the blogs.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Something wrong with elephant blogs. It takes you to the May 15 blog and not most recent. Had to go to “elephants” for this one.
Moderator’s Note: We experienced a system crash due to high traffic of excited supporters trying to get a glimpse of the new panda cub. We are getting things back up a chunk at a time, so keep trying.
August 9th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Oh yeah—the blog crash of 2009!! Was able to get on the elephant blog page by hitting the elephant link on the side of the main blog page. How are the elephants doing? I was able to see the elle cam while the blog pages were down, tho. Been watching the elles walking around doing their thing. Glad that we’re able to get these blog pages up one way or the other. Hopefully, the blog pages will be back to normal this week. We’re looking for another new update about the elephant calves, especially Inghadze! He should be about 2 or 3 months old by now. Gonna get back to Bai Yun on the pandacam to try to get a peek at her new baby!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
August 11th, 2009 at 11:43 am
What do the elephants eat?
August 12th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Dear Elephant Caregivers,
Not all folks are panda junkies. Some of us are crazy about elephants.
Please, please please, I know you guys are extremely busy, but could you please do more frequent updates on the herd (short updates are fine!). Would love to hear about the little one and see some recent baby pictures. I see the youngsters on the cam, but would love to hear about their antics behind the scenes. I know you guys must have dozens of wonderful stories to tell. Thanks!
August 12th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Hi, you all! Just looked into the Zooborns website to check for new baby animals, and there is news from the Hogle Zoo, Salt Lake City, Utah! The elephant keepers at Hogle have announced that Christie, their 23 year old African elephant, has given birth to a female baby elephant calf on August 10, 2009! The calf weighed in at 251 pounds, is 36″ tall, and the trunk is 15″ long. This is the first baby elephant for Christie which was the result of an AI procedure that was done in October, 2007. The ultrasound in February, 2008 confirmed that Christie was pregnant. They had just renovated and enlarged the elephant exhibit a few years ago so that they can start a herd of African elephants that can be sustained here in the USA. Congrats to Hogle Zoo in Utah!
Been on ellie cam off and on during the week checking in on the ellies in the yard. Been on the pandacam trying to get a peek of the baby panda alot, too!
Hope to see a new update about the elephant calves real soon! Will check back in later!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
August 13th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
ellie cam looking a bit sad of late. can we get some better pictures or a better zoom in maybe? thanks
August 14th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Hi! Just watched the ellie cam hoping to see elephants, but instead, I watched 2 of the elephant yard guys do some yard cleanup. They have to be the hardest working people in that elephant yard scooping up old hay and poop, raking the yard, and putting out new hay for the ellies to eat. They do a great job keeping that huge yard well maintained. Will get back on the cam later on to see the ellies, especially the calves!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
August 14th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Camera broken? Been in same position since 5 p.m. yesterday.
August 14th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Well, got back on the ellie cam again, and I saw a nice group of the elephants, including the calves! Ingadze is the smallest ellie in the group, so I can pick him out pretty easily for now. The other calves have done some growing over the last several months! All the ellies are enjoying the fresh hay and grass that the hard working yard guys have put out for them.
Going back to the ellie cam and I’m also keeping up with the pandacam. Got a great look at the little panda cub today laying on Bai’s chest! Got it in MY PICS, and Facebook has it on the front page.
Will be back later on! Have a great weekend!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
PS: Praying for the residents of the North Cal area that had to be evacuated due to wildfires just south of San Francisco. Hope none of them lost their homes. At last news report, the fires are not contained as of this afternoon.
August 14th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Thanks. Seeing elephants moving around is much nicer than looking at a spot on the ground.
August 14th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Really enjoy watching the close ups of the elephants. Was wondering which of the females has only one tusk?
August 15th, 2009 at 6:37 am
just popped on- their pool is empty again- it seems it is emptied alot and takes awhile before it is full again. Do they ellies really get it that dirty with their poop and stuff all the time? They have so much fun swimmming when the cam focuses on them.
August 15th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Why isn’t there a picture of the Baby Elephant yet???? I haven’t been able to see it on the cam lately.
August 15th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
just popped on- one ellie in the water rolling, drinking, splashing……. :0
August 16th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
just popped on! ellies are in the water- zoom too far out- but better yet white air balloon thing is tree top high again! what is it and is it legal to fly that low?? scary lookin!
Moderator’s note: The large balloon is the Wild Animal Park’s Balloon Safari ride, which gives our guests a unique and wonderful view of the Park from 400 feet up! More info can be found at http://www.sandiegozoo.org/park/plan_your_trip/activities
August 17th, 2009 at 7:37 am
Fantastic day yesterday! Umngani and the baby elephants spent almost an hour playing in the water. First video I have ever taken of Ingadze in the water. Umngani playing with the youngsters was delightful. It was almost unbelieveable that she could lay down in the water and completely disappear while Ingadze, Khosi, Kami and Punga climbed all over her. Kudus (spelling?) to the elephant crew who have to clean up the yard every day and have it shipshape for WAP visitors. Thanks to Brittany for explaining why Lungile’s tusks are shorter and to Rick for explaining that Umngani, Khosi, and Ingadze are kept together early in the day because you weigh Ingadze EVERY DAY. Thanks ever so much and keep up the good work.
August 19th, 2009 at 5:25 am
Elephants in the pool this morning at 6 a.m. It’s not shadows, they are moving all around. Question: Are there any plans for an elephant party to celebrate Khosi’s 3d birthday on September 11? First baby girl born at the WAP on September 11, 2006. A party including all 4 of the age 3 and under siblings, 2 girls and 2 boys, and the soon-to-be siblings due in 2010 could be shared by all. A little color would bring the public’s attention to the fact that a special time is being celebrated.
August 19th, 2009 at 5:51 am
After a longer look I find what I thought were elephants in the pool are actually reflections of trees in the pool. A little magnigication helped me prove I was wrong. Still think a celebration would be a great idea and show all of Mabu’s present and expected offspring as a great accomplishment of the Wild Animal Park.
Moderator’s note: It’s always fun to celebrate a birthday! The keepers will have a special “cake” for her on her big day, September 11. Hope you can come!
August 19th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Its kind of a sad day to celebrate though?
August 20th, 2009 at 10:03 am
Note for Mindy, Laurie, Erin, Brittany and Rick. Yesterday, I mailed you copies of the DVD I took of the Pool Party on August 16. See item 106. Kept 16 minutes of splashing good fun! Enjoy.
Moderator’s note: We’ll let them know, Don!
August 22nd, 2009 at 8:57 am
Insignificant observation. My videocamera is set on Standard Time and I don’t know how to change to Daylight Saving time. Do you have the same problem? I notice my comments always show Standard Time, one hour earlier than when I send them. Thanks for the update on a birthday party for Khosi. I’ll be there. Hope you get to see the Pool Party DVD when it comes, also.
August 22nd, 2009 at 9:02 am
Got my answer quickly. The last comment shows current (DST) time. I know item 106 showed Standard Time, however.
Moderator’s note: We realized we needed to make the time change a few days ago.
August 29th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
This seems like the most appropriate blog for this comment. The camera seems to have been in the same place for two days which has been great, actually. Nearly every time I looked yesterday there was one or more elephants in the water. The youngsters seem to be having a fantastic time playing, submerging, climbing on each other and on any adult that lay down and gave them a chance. This morning it looked like two of the youngsters made a bee-line for the pool and jumped right in. Thanks to all the keepers who keep the place clean and available for the public to see what is going on. I’m sure the temperatures lately have made them wish they had a cool pool for themselves to relax in. My wife and I really enjoy the WAP and especially the African Elephant exhibit and all the blogs and I’m sure thousands of others appreciate all the work you do, also.
August 29th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
You wonder if the elephants use the pool. This afternoon, at 4:30 p.m., a small elephant ran from the west end of the viewing area to a large elephant standing at the pool. Within 3 minutes, Umgani, Khosi, and Ingadze were all splashing in the pool. It lasted about 5 minutes, but the pool was used. I checked again about 5:30 p.m. A large elephant entered the pool and was getting totally wet, rolling and kicking about. In about 3 minutes, 2 smaller elephants entered the pool and started playing with the larger elephant. All seemed quite at ease. This frolicking lasted about 8 minutes and then the smaller elephants left the pool area headed west and the large elephant left the pool area and headed east. With the camera standing still, but including the pool area, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the antics at the pool. Just so you know, your time keeping the African Elephant yard spic and span is certainly appreciated by those of us who can’t make the trip as much as we would like to. THANK YOU!
August 29th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
One final check at 7:30 p.m. Lights were on, and, yes, there were elephants in the pool.
September 9th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
moderator,
Just read the updated biographies of the elephants. Fantastic job! Lots of new info on each of them. I did not realize that Musi was weaned only recently. Musi is certainly a mama’s boy. I hope to see a new elephant blog and video soon.
Keep up the good work!
September 9th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Thank you, Carole A, for bringing my attention to the updated biographies. Thank you, moderator, for the updated biographies.
September 9th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Hate to nitpick, but Ingadze weighed 225 pounds at birth and at the current weight of 422 pounds, he is about double his birth weight. The updated bio states he is 3 times his birth weight. That would be quite an accomplishment in just 4 months. You might want to correct the bio.
Moderator’s note: Correction made. Thank you, Don.
September 10th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Re: 118. To moderator. Thanks. Will be there for Khosi’s third birthday party, tomorrow.
Moderator’s note: Yes. See the note in comment #108.
September 11th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Pool, mud bath, and Happy Third Birthday to Khosi today. Thanks to the elephant crew I even got Khosi’s birthday treat on camera, plus the pool and mud bath in which even Ingadze got plastered. You will be rewarded with copies of the DVD. By the way, the bios of the individual elephants are very well done and very interesting. Anyone reading this comment should go to the Meet the Elephants heading and click on it. It will be well worth your time. Thanks again, elephant keepers and staff. Sure appreciate all the work you do to keep the place spic and span for all the visitors. By the way, the elephants had a pool party with just about everybody involved between 6 and 7 p.m. that my wife and I watched on the elephant cam. Thanks again.
Moderator’s note: Here’s the link to the Meet the Elephants page: http://sandiegozoo.org/elephantcam/meet.html
September 13th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Brought 11 copies of Khosi’s 3d Birthday DVD to the elephant keepers area today. Could you mark one each for Erin, Mindy, and Laurie, please? First segment shows Punga’s mom watching Khosi, Punga, and Kami in and around the pool. Second segment shows the mud bath and the special treat made by Brian for Khosi and the special delivery made by Brian in a beautiful arc that landed right in front of Khosi. Thanks, guys and gals in the elephant crew. I enjoyed all your special efforts to make it a special day.
September 18th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Anything special being planned for Kami’s SECOND birthday tomorrow? Kami’s Mom got to Khosi’s THIRD birthday treat on 9-11-2009 and took over. Khosi stood her ground, though, and was still there when Kami’s Mom left. Got a great video of it (See 121 above). HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW, KAMI. I’ll be there to see what happens.
September 20th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
The African Elephant Overlook, where visitors should be able to take pictures of elephants, has a problem. Seems the shrubbery is overgrowing to such an extent that whenever a person tries to take pictures, either of elephants in the yard or of elephants outside the yard, the shrubbery ends up being part of the pictures. Can something be done to remove this impediment?
Park staff responds: This morning some plant material was removed to open up the viewing in this area. We do still have some Eucalyptus stumps that are sprouting, and these will be re-cut and treated with herbicide in the near future.