Elephants Tina and Jewel Settling In
Posted at 10:24 am August 28, 2009 by Rod Owlett
Tina opens her mouth for our vet's visual exam.
Both elephants like most of the fruits and vegetables that have been offered. We have also given them three varieties of hay and several types of browse material. Both elephants love raisins, which the keepers have used for some training procedures. Apples, carrots, sweet potatoes, sweet corn, squash, cucumbers, celery, and romaine lettuce are just some of the varieties the new girls can enjoy.
The quality of the produce we give all of our animals at the Zoo and the Wild Animal Park is the same quality that you would buy for your own table at home. Each elephant receives approximately 100 pounds (45 kilograms) of food daily!
Rod Owlett is an animal care supervisor at the San Diego Zoo.
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August 28th, 2009 at 10:52 am
YUMMMM!
Thank you Rod for the update!! We all appreciate your taking the time to post the progress with Tina and Jewel.
It must have felt so good as keepers and veterinarians to see the girls eat so well. Here’s hoping that they will pass their quarantine with flying colors and that they will soon be in the herd rotation.
Blessed Be With Love, judy j
August 28th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Rod, Thank you for the update on the girls, it breaks my heart to see how hungry the animals were. With the new diet of fresh fruits and veggies i’m sure they will be on the way to better health. How much do the girls weigh? I am coming to the zoo in Nov. and hope to see them. Thanks for the great care you are giving them.
August 28th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Dr. Clippenger indicated there are issues with their teeth and feet. Would it be possible to get a little more information on exactly what you guys are dealing with? Thank you.
August 28th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Glad to hear they are eating, and not too stressed out from their move ! I can only imagine, they are being fed a varity of foods they may have never had. I hope they flourish in their new home, and all goes well for them and their new keepers ! Thank you for the update Rod.
August 28th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
I was hoping more info…I love them elephants! sooo glad they get to eat alot…I bet they was like dang this is what is life is all about..thanks SDZ
Do you think they miss Queenie? or they just to busy catching up on their weight
August 28th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Tahnk you very much for the new update!
I am still wondering if Tina and Jewel are suspected to have tuberulosis, and if they will be tested and quarantined for this terrible disease.
Do you already know when they will be able to go outside? I hope very much you won`t keep them indoors for more then a few days – at both elephant sanctuaries (in Tennessee and California), they have seperate outdoor enclosures for elephants in need of quarantine, and I would very much doubt the decision to send Tina and Jewel to the zoo instead if you can`t offer them the same.
August 28th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
thanks for the up-date on the lucky girls. good luck with all the things you are trying to accomplish. it amazes me how some people think they know more than you do just because they have read a few articles! no matter what good and wondeful things people do or try to do, other people will critisize your efforts!!! you’re darned if you do AND darned if you don’t!!!!!………..it really irritates me!!! kudos to SDZ!
August 28th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Thank you for the update!! They’ll be good and healthy in no time with your care.
August 28th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Thank you San Diego Zoo for taking Tina and Jewel and giving them such great care.
I hope they both have many years ahead of them now that they’re away from the abusive
situation they were in.
Now let’s get Queenie (Boo) freed!
August 29th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Tina and Jewel mandatorily have to serve a 90 day quartine period to protect themselves and the other animals. Also, sinc ethey are pretty fragile at the point, this enviroment is much more healty and sanitary than the big, dusty outdoor exhibit
Once they are out of the woods though, they’ll go outside
Save Boo!
August 29th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Wow! They ate for two days straight? That shows how little they were fed while in Texas. Poor girls. They have a good chance at SDZ, though, and I look forward to seeing them with the rest of the herd at Elephant Odyssey in a few months.
August 29th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
sdz has nothingto do with taking animals away from certain situations people! when they get the call from certain authority figures to see if they have room to take in another animal , they respond if they have the room and resources! from what I understand, tina and jewel were NOT abused. there are alot of different stories circulating out there. the last and most current owner did not have the resources to care for all three elephants and thus gave up the two! HE IS NOT THE CULPRIT! so, don’t crucify him without all the facts!! that is how rumors start and hurt well intentioned people!
August 29th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Thank you so much for taking the girls and giving them such good care. The girls are so loved by thousands. We are all so interested in their progress so please continue to keep us posted. So happy to hear they are eating. It also sounds like they are very good girls. Please take good care of the little sweethearts they’ve been through so much and we want to see them enjoy many years to come.
Will you be posting more video of the girls? I’m not sure if the special needs facility is the same as what was shown in the video, but if so it seems like the ground is concrete. Do they have an area with soft ground?? (How about a blanky and bed?) LOL! As funny as that sounds, it’s it’s my way of wanting to say, please protect them and keep them comfortable and feeling secure.
Thank you. I don’t know if anyone can do anything about Queenie, but please keep Queenie in mind.
Moderator’s note: The floors in our Elephant Care Center are covered in rubber matting for the elephants’ comfort.
August 30th, 2009 at 12:33 am
I’m so glad to know that Tina and Jewel are eating well. When they appeared in the circus in IL earlier this year they were fed the driest, yellow hay as well as bread, hamburger buns and bagels. Jewel ate very little of it. They weren’t offered any water either when they emerged from the truck or with their food. That was the evening when they arrived from TX. Jewel didn’t eat as much as Tina, and I was worried that she couldn’t or didn’t want to eat. Now I see that she has a more sophisticated palate!
The first picture of Tina and Jewel at your zoo showed much better, greener hay than I had seen fed to them. Many of the fruits and veggies you’re giving them may be new to them or things they haven’t tasted in years. I’m hoping that their biggest need turns out to be good food and TLC.
Thank you for posting these updates on their condition. Please keep writing about them. Tina and Jewel have many fans all over the country who are very concerned about them.
August 30th, 2009 at 5:16 am
All of us all over America who worked so hard, sending emails to USDA, APHIS, USFWS, and our legislators, to free Tina, Jewel, and our beloved Queenie are so very grateful to the SDZ for giving Tina and Jewel such loving care. And for keeping us updated on how they are doing – please keep the updates coming. And also the pictures of them in what they must now consider to be HEAVEN. We all love these two precious ladies so very much.
August 30th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
The poor things must have been so hungry, they probably thought it was Christmas! Glad that they are settling in and hope their health hasn’t suffered too much.
August 31st, 2009 at 4:36 am
Great news about Tina and Jewel – they must have been starved for so long – or else just ate bread and yellow hay, like Barbara S. said she saw in IL – not even any water was given them. And poor, precious Queenie (Boo) was left behind with that horrible man.
August 31st, 2009 at 8:02 am
Just want to say thank you for taking care of Tina and Jewel. Has anyone said how old they are? I could have missed it because I just found out about them a couple of days ago. I hope you will continue to give updates and pictures.
August 31st, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Glad to hear that Tina and Jewel are responding well to their new varied diet. To know that they did finally stop eating means that they felt safe enough that the food supply would continue and they could take a break. It is great to know that they are having enrichment already by the variety of hay and veggie that they are receiving. Like children, it sometimes takes a few times to get an appreciation for something new to one’s palate.
Hoping to hear great news about their improved general health from the TLC they are receiving.
State of the art facility means just that. What is needed most for the elephants’ well being as they go through quarantine and recuperate from any health issues is being provided both from physical environment, nutritionl, and veterinary care.
August 31st, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Glad to hear the girls are adjusting well to their new home. Also glad to know that they are enjoying an abundant and varied diet. I have to admit though, I am a little curious as to how you use raisins for training procedures. They are sooo tiny. It doesn’t seem like a little raisin would be enough incentive for a huge elephant to learn something new. Maybe you give them a whole box at a time..??
August 31st, 2009 at 2:28 pm
The elephants at WAP, especially the youngest two, are having a blast in their pool. The tiny ones are completely submerged with mom standing beside them watching for their safety. Impunga or Camille, I forget which is the next to youngest, is submerged with hindquarters sticking up like a floating ball. I thought it was a ball until a head and trunk appeared and the calf rolled backed on its side in the water for more fun. Great enrichment and activity if the weather is still very hot out there.
It makes me think of Ron’s stories coming in lately about his views of elephants in the wild at the watering holes.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Now the whole herd is enjoying the fun. What could be more enjoyable that three elephant calves wrestling in the water with adults watching over them lumbering in and enjoying the cool dip themselves?
It is funny to see the calves wrestle each other as they would on land, and twist their trunks together as they do it.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Margaret are you watching it in person or on the cam? for some reason the cam I am watching seem sooo far away..I never see any excitment..so thats why I treasure the blogs..
and what diet? they are giving them everything on the menu to see what they don’t like and likes…lucky elephants! lol
thats why its important for donations to make it possible to rescue animals…
September 2nd, 2009 at 2:10 pm
I’m writing on Sept. 2nd… I realize this is soon, but can we get an update on how the girls are doing as of today?? Please.
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Glad to read that Jewel and Tina are settling in at EO pretty well and loving all the food that the keepers are giving them. All that food and hay should help them gain some weight over the next days and weeks. When it’s time to get them introduced to the other EO ellies, I feel that they will do just fine. Please keep us updated on their progress on everything.
Has there been anything new about Queenie, who was left behind in Texas? I sure do hope that she was rescued and taken to a better home!
Gonna go and read your other new update about the other ellies.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
September 4th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Applause should also go out to the Performing Animals Welfare Society here in northern California. Without the help of PAWS, Jewel and Tina would not have been able to be moved together. PAWS donated the use of their Elephant carrier to move these lovely ladies from Texas to San Diego. Thank you Pat and Ed!
September 4th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Thank you for taking these lovely ladies and promising to give them the best care a captive endangered species can have at your facility. Please continue pushing the standards of care for rescued captive elephants while educating the public that elephants should not be captive at all and you are doing your best to help an already unfortunate situation. I hope someday there will be no captive wildlife for your zoo to have to rescue, and families can take their children to the wild to respect these wise and magnificent beings where they are free and meant to be!
September 4th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
I am so happy to hear that Jewel and Tina are doing great!! A big thanks go out to Paws and San Diego Zoo for saving these wonderful elephants! I just wish we can save them all!! Please keep up the good work and keep educating the young human generations on how to save these beautiful creatures.
September 4th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Please keep us posted Rod… what are the plans for them once they are deemed healthy?
September 4th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Thanks for the update on Tina & Jewel. I live in San Diego and the elephants were on the front page of the paper today. Both have feet problems and Jewel (I think) has a tooth and mouth problem and made be in need of several surgeries.
September 6th, 2009 at 9:06 am
I visited Elephant Odyssey on Saturday and had the chance to see Tina up close (with Jewel in the background). Tina was getting a pedicure while I was there – she sure has learned the ropes quickly – watched her put her foot up on the pedicure stand when the keepers requested. She must have enjoyed it, because even after the keepers finished the pedicure she kept lifting her foot up for more! So glad to see these great girls are in place with the facilities and know how to take care of them!
September 8th, 2009 at 5:36 am
It’s so very wonderful to read about the miracle that was given to Tina and Jewel, (a miracle that so many of us prayed for and worked for – thank you, IDA!!) and how there lives are now blessed with love and care. Please, everyone who loves them, let’s not forget about poor Queenie (Boo), left behind in Texas.
September 8th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Moderator, was just reading the Meet the Elephants section, and I noticed that the birth date for Khosi maybe wrong. Wasn’t Khosi born on Sept. 11, 2006? The date by her name said September 11, 2004! I think that she was born a couple of years after Moose. Can you please check that out and possibly make the correction if needed? Will appreciate it! Her birthday is this Friday, Sept. 11, and I think that she is about 3 years old. Anyway, let me know, ok?
Thanks,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
PS: Thanks for finally getting the pic and info about Ingadze up on the Meet the Elephants page!
Moderator’s note: You’re correct, Chari, and we’ve made the change. Thanks for alerting us!
September 9th, 2009 at 5:23 am
My passion has always …and will always be for our Animals.
My Love and Concern for these Elephants and the thousand like them are in my Prayers many times a day.
How people can abuse them…use them..and disgrace them are beyond me…but thankyou ……all of you who have the hearts that open to them.
Someday soon we WILL win…our wild life and our land will be treated fairly….and not be tortured any more.
With all the love in the world…….PEACE…to all these Wonderful Creatures !!!!! XO XO
September 11th, 2009 at 12:05 am
“PS: Thanks for finally getting the pic and info about Ingadze up on the Meet the Elephants page!”
Yeah! There’s even more info than I expected, and the webmasters even added mule deer info to the main camera page! It’s cool to see more info on and updated photos of all the elephants, not just the newest and cutest.
Meanwhile, I saw that this is still up there:
“…We have two large exhibit areas for our elephant herds: one for our Asian elephant group and another one for our African elephants. Elephant Cam focuses on the African elephant herd.
An elevated walking path called the Elephant Overlook takes you out between the two exhibit areas to see what our pachyderms are up to. You can also view elephants next to the Elephant Show area or along the road next to the Asian elephants’ enclosure…”
Now that the Asian elephants don’t live in the WAP, why not update this and include a link to the Elephant Odyssey site?
One more nitpick: in “Her trumpets and roars typically illicit an alert circle around the calves” did you mean “elicit”?
Moderator’s note: Okay, we’ve changed Litsemba’s bio, but the exhibit page was updated a while ago to reflect the changes. Perhaps you’re looking at a cached page?
September 12th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
“Moderator’s note: Okay, we’ve changed Litsemba’s bio,”
Wow, that was a fast response!
“but the exhibit page was updated a while ago to reflect the changes. Perhaps you’re looking at a cached page?”
Good question. I just reloaded http://www.sandiegozoo.org/elephantcam/index.html and it’s still there under 3 elephants, one lingering at the edge of the pool. Again, thanks for using my mule-deer-note suggestion, and since I noticed one more chance to get the word out about Elephant Odyssey I thought you’d like to know too.
BTW, does Ndlulamitsi still rear up on her hind feet?
Also, is that a tusk in Khosi’s photo? Is she teething?
How do Impunga and Khosi match strength?
Moderator’s note: Thanks, Mark. The change will be made on Monday to that page. (We were looking at an older page!) We’ll forward your questions to our elephant care staff.
September 15th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Will we ever get to see Tina & Jewel out in the yard at all? Or, have they been? I’d love to see them in the pool. What freedom must feel like to them! My heart aches for Queenie!
September 15th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Clarifications:
#21, Fred is the one who is in Africa looking with the Elephant researchers at the wild herds, and sending back fascinating and informative reports, especially about the bachelor herd and how the herd reacted to the sudden loss of their 10 year old companion. Ron is in SD writing about Elephant Odyssey and Tina an Jewel’s arrival.
#22, I was watching camera “closeups” of the pool. It was amazing to get such a clear view of the herd up close have a family swim, followed by the family dusting to dry off. I love it and hope that someone got it on video to share. It was a very elaborate ritual that I have seen repeated at least once in the past couple of weeks (bathing part).
September 15th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
#31, Debbie, thanks for the update on Tina’s pedicure. I have seen the NZP elephants getting a foot soak a couple of times and wondered why. I later read that older elephants in particular need special attention to their feet to keep them in optimum shape.
September 16th, 2009 at 6:58 am
Perhaps I am just not finding it – but is there any news on how Tina and Jewel are doing? Especially Jewel’s medical condition? Thank you.
Moderator’s note: I’ve been told a blog post updating our readers about Tina and Jewel is coming soon.
September 18th, 2009 at 10:06 am
I am so grateful to everyone who helped in the rescue of Tina and Jewel. I am especially grateful to the San Francisco Zoo for taking them in and and nurturing them. Long, healthy, and happy life to Tina and Jewel!
Moderator’s note: I hope you mean San Diego Zoo…