Introducing Elephants
Posted at 4:04 pm August 31, 2009 by Ron Ringer
Ranchipur and Cha Cha
As of now, we have successfully introduced Sumithi, Devi, Cha Cha, and Cookie together, and they can be seen most days in yard one until about 10:30 a.m. or longer. Elephant intros can be tedious and do take awhile to accomplish. Cookie and Devi provide most of the activity. Devi is challenging Cookie for dominance, and Cookie, being the wise old girl that she is, isn’t taking the challenge lying down. There are lots of interactions between the two: some rough ones, some fast ones, with Cookie chasing Devi the length of the yard; and some quiet ones where they stand side by side.
Sumithi and Cha Cha have decided to be neutral and are getting along pretty well. Cha Cha really wants to be friends, but the verdict is still out with Sumithi, although she doesn’t mind that Cha Cha is standing near. Devi and Cha Cha are really fun to watch. So many little nuances: Devi standing quietly next to Cha Cha eating, dusting, touching, then Devi swats Cha Cha just for good measure. Cha Cha doesn’t mind, for it is all part of elephant behavior. Each day gets better and more fun to watch them all interact.
We have had Tembo in with the group, and it was pretty chaotic. Tembo was afraid of the others and charged and pushed them around, but did not carry it too far. We had Tembo and Cookie together by themselves today and it went okay. Tembo definitely was the aggressor, but Cookie did not give in, and after about 45 minutes, they were standing side by side.
This is just a brief overview of how the intros have been going. We try them almost every day with some combination of the girls. It will take quite awhile for everyone to get accustomed to each other, but we have all the time in the world and a top-notch facility to allow these wonderful elephants time to work things out on their timetable. For those who have visited and seen elephants separated into other exhibits, it is because Ranchipur is in musth and can be very aggressive toward the other elephants. Cha Cha is his favorite, and she keeps him company. Our goal is to have everyone together and have access to all of the exhibits and let them determine where they want to hang out and with whom. Choices…that’s what it’s all about, and soon, Tina and Jewel will be a part of those choices!
I have been given the task, along with several other keepers in our program, of introducing Tina and Jewel into our facility and our elephant family and they are responding great. Both are great girls and seem to like their new surroundings. Over the next several weeks, we will be working toward improving their health and getting them used to our methods of caring for elephants before we attempt to introduce them to the rest of our group. Stay tuned!
Ron Ringer is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
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August 31st, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Hi. I was wondering if the park herd is expecting any new members? I know about the pregnancies but I mean from other herds? Thanks and can’t wait to hear about one big happy herd soon at EO
Moderator’s note: Other than the three elephants due to give birth in 2010, we have no plans for any other arrivals at this time.
August 31st, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Thank You Ron,
It sounds like you all must be holding your breaths–biting your tongues and saying a prayer at the same time. But, I know that you know all of these girls pretty well and are not surprised at their attempts at dominance. I wonder who will finally become the dominant girl. I hope Tembo can relax soon and enjoy the extended family she is now in. It sounds like Cha Cha is a real sweetheart and very tolerant. Does that mean she is subordinate or just that she is wise?
Your days must be incredibly full with all the introductions and now caring for Tina and Jewel (two very lucky girls now that they are with you at the zoo) so each update is so appreciated by all of us out here in blog land. I know that there are a few people out there who think that you can put everyone together at once, but most realize it has to be done one step at a time–sort of like musical elephants.
My family has been to EO more than once and we all love it. I can just see them all–as you described–just hanging out with their favorites in their favorite places and wandering from place to place. This cannot be rushed, but when it is a reality how wonderful will that be.
How long will Ranchipur be in musth? I love these gentle giants, but I still have so very much to learn. Bless all who care for all of these precious pachyderms–and bless you all for letting them be elephants.
Blessed Be With Love, judy j
Ron responds: Every male elephant is different in the amount of time spent in musth. According to the keepers that have taken care of him in the past, his musth cycle is about three months. He should be out sometime in October. But because of the new surroundings and new females, his musth could last longer. Thank you so much for the kind words. I will pass them on to all of our dedicated staff.
August 31st, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Oh, Ron, how funny! Cookie chasing Devi. I think Tina and Jewel are going to fit in beautifully. I look forward to the day when Jewel is chasing Devi across the yard. Run Devi, run!
August 31st, 2009 at 8:24 pm
“I know a lot of you are wondering about how the introductions between the four elephants that moved to the San Diego Zoo from the Wild Animal Park and the three that were already here at the Zoo are progressing”
I sure have!
“Cookie and Devi provide most of the activity. Devi is challenging Cookie for dominance, and Cookie, being the wise old girl that she is, isn’t taking the challenge lying down. There are lots of interactions between the two: some rough ones, some fast ones, with Cookie chasing Devi the length of the yard; and some quiet ones where they stand side by side.”
Is this how they decide who’ll be matriarch of the combined herd? Do you expect them to repeat this with Jewel or Tina when they meet the 3rd group to be added to the mix?
“Devi and Cha Cha are really fun to watch. So many little nuances: Devi standing quietly next to Cha Cha eating, dusting, touching, then Devi swats Cha Cha just for good measure. Cha Cha doesn’t mind, for it is all part of elephant behavior. Each day gets better and more fun to watch them all interact.”
Apart from the swats, this reminds me of politics, like Devi’s running for re-election to matriarch and wants Cha Cha’s vote!
“We have had Tembo in with the group, and it was pretty chaotic. Tembo was afraid of the others and charged and pushed them around, but did not carry it too far. We had Tembo and Cookie together by themselves today and it went okay. Tembo definitely was the aggressor, but Cookie did not give in, and after about 45 minutes, they were standing side by side.”
To tell the truth, I had expected disappointing aggression against Tembo and I’m surprised (but still disappointed) to see it be vice-versa instead. You know how among humans, facial hair only grows on men and boys in some ethnic groups, grows on women and girls too in some other ethnic groups, and when facial hair starts growing on an immigrant girl in a school where most other girls don’t have it she’s in for a lot of “shemale!!!” bullying (it happened in my junor high)? Well, tusks only grow on males among Asian elephants, grow on females too among African elephants, and Tembo’s a tusked female elephant in Elephant Odyssey where all the other female elephants don’t have tusks…
“For those who have visited and seen elephants separated into other exhibits, it is because Ranchipur is in musth and can be very aggressive toward the other elephants.”
That makes no sense! I’ve heard of elephants in musth trampling people, but isn’t musth for a male elephant like being in heat for a female cat?
“Our goal is to have everyone together and have access to all of the exhibits and let them determine where they want to hang out and with whom. Choices…that’s what it’s all about, and soon, Tina and Jewel will be a part of those choices!”
Great!
August 31st, 2009 at 8:39 pm
How wonderful. Glad all is going well with all the new introductions. Sounds like the keepers do have their hands full. And I can only imagine how it will be when the new girls (Tina and Jewel) get introductions to the others. I’m sure they will do fine. It’s the others that may not want to share. Good luck, and hope it continues to go as well as it has been . Thank you for the update !
August 31st, 2009 at 8:41 pm
I didn’t know SDZ had this much elephants! I can’t wait til Tina and Jewel will join in..I think they will get along with everyone..just because they are so happy to be there : )
August 31st, 2009 at 11:46 pm
omg I finally found Elephant Odys. bio of each elephants!! all this time I been on this website I never click on elephant Odys. page..I am glad I did…I love it! I love it when Keepers put their personality ..just to cute!
September 1st, 2009 at 3:37 am
Hey, isn’t “There Something About Mary” LOL! Hopefully she’s getting along with the others as well
September 1st, 2009 at 7:05 am
Hi again. I noticed Mary wasn’t in this note. Is she okay? Thanks again.
September 1st, 2009 at 8:08 am
I have just begun to watch the action at the zoo and have noticed the “watering hole “for the elephants will be dry. The other day I saw a person with a hose spraying the elephants at the “hole” and it appeared the hole was being emptied again. Does it require a lot of cleaning and refilling often?
September 1st, 2009 at 11:55 am
Love the Ellie pic’s today… Very busy place…:)
September 1st, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Can we get a weight on Tina and Jewel when they first arrived at the zoo? Thanks.
September 1st, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Hi Mark,
Actually, it makes perfect sense if you are Mary or Cookie. Cookie is 54 years old and doesn’t need the aggressive courtship of Ranchipur. Same with Mary; he can be a little too aggressive, and why take a chance of getting one of them injured? We would rather be safe than sorry, especially since we are not planning on breeding any of the females here at the Zoo’s Elephant Odyssey.
September 1st, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Why is there 1 African elephant in with the Asian? Why isn’t she with the African group? I thought the 2 groups could not be together because of the spend of some type of disease.
Thanks for any explanations.
Moderator’s note: We have a blog post that addresses that very question at http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/03/16/elephants-a-zoo-family/
September 1st, 2009 at 5:56 pm
“Hi Mark,
Actually, it makes perfect sense if you are Mary or Cookie. Cookie is 54 years old and doesn’t need the aggressive courtship of Ranchipur. Same with Mary; he can be a little too aggressive, and why take a chance of getting one of them injured? We would rather be safe than sorry, especially since we are not planning on breeding any of the females here at the Zoo’s Elephant Odyssey.”
*Your* behavior, separating the elephants in this situation, makes perfect sense to me too. Like you say, why take a chance of getting one of them injured?
It’s Ranchipur’s *being aggressive to the other elephants because he’s in musth* that makes no sense! They’re very smart animals, they do figure out some stuff instead of acting completely on instinct, so this “now that I am in the mood for, well, getting very close to a female [assuming Ranchipur's not gay, is he?] elephant I shall be aggressive to the female elephants here and even risk injuring one of them who is not Cha Cha” thing just seems so *stupid*.
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:45 am
Ron, thanks to you and all the elephant staff for the outstanding dedicated care you give these wonderful animals. Tina and Jewel could not have been sent to a more dedicated place where they will be loved and cared for as if they had been there all their lives. It is great to hear that the introductions are proceeding as anticipated and at the elephant’s determined pace. Working with middle aged and older elephants takes more time than with young calves who love to play and are low on the dominance list anyway.
Ranchipur will have quite a harem when he finishes his musth. It allows more freedom for the girls to meet each other if he has a yard to himself. Since all of the Elephants in Elephant Odyssey are well over 20, it is understandable that no breeding is expected from this part of the herd. Do you have plans to bring younger females in the future for potential breeding to enlarge the herd, or will you leave openings for animals like Tina and Jewel that need a new home. With the government restrictions on importing wild animals I have read that the captive population is limited for breeding unless and until some of the circus animals are brought into the U.S. zoo population. The elephant herd at WAP is an exception because of the circumstances that they were slated by their native government for killing as part of the culling. That was a win-win for everyone, especially the elephants and WAP. They are growing by 2-3 calves a year now, which is a testament to their environment since captive elephant breeding is difficult at best.
September 2nd, 2009 at 11:53 am
Mark, It makes perfect sense if you know exactly what musth is
Musth is when testotrone in the male elephant gets so high that there is only one thing on there mind… breeding
If anything gets in the way of breeding, they will fight like no tommorow to get rid of it (Thus, why no one senters the paddock with Ranchipur or any of the other elephants)
Since they are so focused on breeding and the females may not want him around, he may become very rough and aggressive in trying to copulate and actually injure them (Musth elephants can be somewhat whacked in the head at this point)
September 2nd, 2009 at 12:45 pm
I was wondering what the elephants eat. I also somewhat agree with Mark in the sense that in the wild other elephants don’t have protection from males in musth.
September 2nd, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Great new camera view from overhead. I feel like I am looking down into a fish bowl, watching the elephants pass by on their journey from one spot to another.
It is fabulous to hear the tales Ron has to tell from onsite with wild animals and now to the updates on all the elephants currently housed in the huge new facilities of Elephant Odyssey. With Ranchipur separated from the others, and Tina Jewel having their own separate space, I am starting to get a perspective of how huge this space really is.
I look forward to updates about the new neighbors in the surrounding yards.
September 2nd, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Elephants in the wild are in larger groups than in captivity, and the females protect each other from any outside invaders, including males in Musth. If they are too old to breed, there are younger females with them that are young enough to breed. In Elephant Odyssey they have no where to go to get away from him, and there are no breeding age females to for him to “hang out” with. SO, for everyone’s safety they are separated to keep peace, harmony, and healthy bodies in the older females in the herd.
Chill out folks. These animals are getting the best humans can offer in an artificial environment.
September 2nd, 2009 at 3:15 pm
“Working with middle aged and older elephants takes more time than with young calves who love to play and are low on the dominance list anyway.”
I once saw a video of Dr. Mitch Finnegan giving Samudra a veterinary checkup at Oregon Zoo (”Rose-Tu and Calf get a vet check-up” on YouTube) and when Dr. Finnegan checked Samudra’s heartbeat he turned around and wrapped his trunk around the guy.
Rose-Tu, Samudra’s mother, was right there too (I bet the Giant Panda staff at SDZ wish they could handle the new cub with Bai Yun right there too instead of waiting for her to put down the baby for a long-enough while).
“Mark, It makes perfect sense if you know exactly what musth is
“Musth is when testotrone in the male elephant gets so high that there is only one thing on there mind… breeding
“If anything gets in the way of breeding, they will fight like no tommorow to get rid of it (Thus, why no one senters the paddock with Ranchipur or any of the other elephants)
“Since they are so focused on breeding and the females may not want him around, he may become very rough and aggressive in trying to copulate and actually injure them (Musth elephants can be somewhat whacked in the head at this point)”
Thanks for the explanation! I’m glad humans don’t go into musth or go into heat. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to get good stuff done if humans did routinely get somewhat whacked in the head?
I was confused earlier because I hadn’t seen anything about Mabhulane being aggressive to the other elephants at the WAP. Does musth happen differently in his species, or is it just a personality difference, or something else?
“These animals are getting the best humans can offer in an artificial environment.”
I agree, that is so true!
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Hi, Ron Ringer! It looks like the intros at EO are going pretty well. With Tina and Jewel coming in, you all are going to have a very busy few months ahead getting all of these ellies together! You’ll have some fun working with them, too.
Have you heard anything about Queenie, the ellie that was left behind in Texas? I sure do hope that she got rescued and given a better home somewhere else where she will be getting better care and love. Let us know what you have found out about Queenie. ok? Will appreciate it!
What’s the latest with the ellies at WAP, especially the calves? Been watching the cam off and on, and have seen some of them walking around the yard.
Going to get back on the pandacam to check in on Bai and baby panda.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
September 3rd, 2009 at 10:59 am
Great questions, Mark and Michelle!
Elephants are herbivores, so at the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park they eat all types of vegetation, fruits, vegetables, and a special pellet designed for zoo elephants.
As far as the musth, in the wild the females have their family groups to help protect them from aggressive males. They also have the ability to get away from them. Most the time a female can outrun a male. You also have to understand that when Asian elephant males are in musth, they are totally hormonal. They don’t eat, they basically stand around, and on occasions they get interested in females that are in estrus. Even in the wild, the males can seriously injure a female while in musth.
African elephant males do go through a musth period, but it tends to be different. They tend to seek out estrus females but will fight other males for the right to breed. They don’t seem to zone out as much as Asians, and they are not as aggressive toward the females.
Hope this answers your questions, and thanks for your support!
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:07 pm
“Great questions, Mark and Michelle!”
Thanks!
“Elephants are herbivores, so at the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park they eat all types of vegetation, fruits, vegetables, and a special pellet designed for zoo elephants.”
In southern Africa there’s a small herd of elephants that really likes mangoes, especially the ones in the courtyard of Mfuwe Lodge, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. Every year their migration includes a visit to this mango grove. The architect didn’t realize he was placing the hotel directly on the route but fortunately he made the lobby a spacious open-air one and now it doesn’t get in the way.
In northern Keonjhar district, Orissa, India there’s an elephant that picks a route but stays in place and lets the food come to him: everyone who drives past his favorite road has to hand him some food (not meat or dairy – like you said, he’s an herbivore) through the window or let him search the car. If the driver does neither, he’ll block the road until he does get some fruit or vegetables. Local police and wildlife officials want to relocate him to a nearby forest and meanwhile advise the public to not provoke him.
“As far as the musth, in the wild the females have their family groups to help protect them from aggressive males. They also have the ability to get away from them. Most the time a female can outrun a male. You also have to understand that when Asian elephant males are in musth, they are totally hormonal. They don’t eat, they basically stand around, and on occasions they get interested in females that are in estrus. Even in the wild, the males can seriously injure a female while in musth.
“African elephant males do go through a musth period, but it tends to be different. They tend to seek out estrus females but will fight other males for the right to breed. They don’t seem to zone out as much as Asians, and they are not as aggressive toward the females.
Hope this answers your questions, and thanks for your support!”
It does and you’re welcome!
September 4th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Congrats to Ranchipur on becoming a grandpa. Rozie had baby girl!
September 5th, 2009 at 9:52 am
just popped on- question- why does the balloon ride (now that I know what it is for sure)
why does it look like it is so low it gets caught in the trees and does it have a basket/like bottom sort of like a hot air balloon for the people to ride in? You can’t see that part on the cam. It always looks like it it stuck… :^
Moderator’s note: The Balloon Safari is a ride that provides wonderful views of the Wild Animal Park and the surrounding San Pasqual Valley. More information can be found at http://www.sandiegozoo.org/park/plan_your_trip/activities
September 5th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
I love watching “family” swim time. It is wonderful and exciting fun to see all sizes of elephants rolling around in the water creating huge waves and obviously having a marvelous time. Last time they did this they all got out of the water and paraded up the hill to have a dust bath to dry off. It is an fascinating ritual.
Can someone explain this process, and if you know why they do it, please explain that too. I am certain they must have similar behavior in the wild, which Fred would have witnessed recently per his recent blogs from sightings in the wild.
September 7th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Did Ranchipur come from Portland Zoo? Otherwise how is he a grandfather per #25 ele-lover?
September 7th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
I’ve noticed sometimes that some elephants when they are in their “pool” that they will run their trunk along the top of the conrete wall, are they smelling something? Or feeling the texture?
September 7th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Rozie is Ranchipur’s daughter at Rio Grande Zoo
I think you are thinking of Rose-Tu (Also known as Rosie or Rose) at Oregon Zoo
September 8th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Margaret,
Ranchipur came out of Washington State where a gentleman named Morgan Berry had seven male elephants at one time. When he passed away, the elephants were sent all over the states. We received Ranchipur in the early 1980s.
September 8th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
May we have an update on Tina & Jewel please?
September 8th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
C.Moore if you want a update on Tina and Jewel scroll up to where you see there picture and click on New Elephants then scroll down to the blog.
I check everday and nothing yet you would think there would be something to talk about from the keeper everyday that makes me feel like the news is not to good.
I have been so busy trying to find out about there other companion Queenie as she was left all alone in Texas and Im sure they all miss each other. It ashame that an elephants life cannot be more stable then man offers them.
September 9th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Ron, #31, thanks for the clarification about Ranchipur’s origin. Glad to know that his 6 male companions also went to great new homes across the country. If he has a daughter at Rio Grande Zoo, he must have been used for AI with Rozie’s mother, or else she was one time at the SDZ or in Washington state with him.
Just curious because there is no mention of any offspring of elephants other than WAP herd that arrived in recent years.
September 9th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Pool time!!
September 9th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Margaret,
Rozie is his only offspring. Alice is Rozie’s mother and was back and forth between San Diego and Rio Grande. She is currently at Rio Grande.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Hi, Ron Ringer! Just checked the Meet the Elephants page, and thanks for correcting Khosi’s birthdate from 2004 to 2006! I knew that she was only 3 years old because she is not the size of Moose, and I have seen the article about her birth in 2006 when she was born. What is so significant about that date of Sept. 11, 2006, is that Khosi was born on the 6th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and that probably gave all of you some pause about that date when Khosi was born. Khosi will be 3 years old this Friday, Sept. 11, and I know that she’ll have a very good day with presents and maybe an ice cake!? She’s one of the cutie’s in this bunch! Was on the ellie cam and no ellies on the screen! Will check back in awhile to see them before it gets dark.
Again, thanks for your hard work with the ellies! Also, try to find out about Queenie, the ellie that is still in Texas, ok? I am so concerned about her well being and care! Let us know when you hear anything new about Queenie.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
September 10th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Every once and a while I get a chance to see all the little ones and am amazed by how big they have gotten. Khosi is going to be 3 tomorrow how time flies. CNN has a piece on elephants and a short video clip from Tenneesse about their retirement home
September 11th, 2009 at 7:38 am
Hello, I was wondering if we can get an update on Tina & Jewel and possibly a video? It’s been awhile since we heard something specific about them. How are test results, how’s their health? Is there a video camera in their area (live cam)? How’s Jewel’s tooth? Are they monitored at night? Does the zoo have keepers/caregivers there after 6 p.m?
Just wondering… inquiry minds want to know
Than you for all the help the zoo has provided the girls.
Moderator’s note: We will have an update within the next few days. Thank you for your interest!
September 11th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Happy 3rd Birthday sweet Khosi! You are with out a doubt “The Babysitter” extraordinaire. I will always remember how loving and caring you were when your baby brother, Ingadze, was just two days old. You were always close by and made certain he was safe. Gadze is a very lucky boy to have a wonderful sister like you. Have a great day and enjoy your birthday treats.
September 11th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Oh, by the way, there’s a must see elephant video on the Zooborns website. It is very entertaining. A calf was born at the Hogle Zoo in Utah on Aug. 10th. The video of this calf is very amusing – especially watching the calf and mom enjoying a “refreshing” mud bath.
September 11th, 2009 at 11:46 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KHOSI!!!
WHAT A WONDERFUL BIG SISTER YOU ARE. WATCHING YOU WITH YOUR BABY BROTHER WARMS MY HEART! I THINK THAT WE HAVE LEARNED A LOT FROM YOU ABOUT GENTLENESS AND CARING AND I AM SURE THAT YOU WILL GROW UP TO BE A TERRIFIC MOM AND AUNTIE. I WILL NEVER FORGET SEEING YOU FOR THE FIRST TIME AND THE WAY YOU WALKED WITH YOUR BABY ELEPHANT FRONT FEET FLIPPING UP GLEEFULLY WITH EVERY STEP YOU TOOK. YOU HAVE BROUGHT SUCH JOY TO US ALL. YOUR MOM UMNGANI IS AMAZING AND SUCH A GOOD MOTHER. SHE MUST BE VERY PROUD OF YOU. HAVE A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART!! WE ALL LOVE YOU!!
BLESSED BE WITH LOVE ALWAYS, JUDY J
September 11th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY, KHOSI!!! Hope you had fun with your family herd, had some great presents with snackies in them, and enjoyed your very special day! You’re a very blessed girl and fun to watch on the cam!
Shuttle Discovery headed back home to earth—landing at Edwards AFB, Cal! Hope you heard the boom booms!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
September 11th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
4:10pm EDT—POOL TIME!!! Just watched 3 young elephant calves in the big pool splashing around, or at least 2 out of the 3! I think it was Ingadze that was on the side just watching the other 2 ellies having some fun. Looked like he wasn’t too sure about that big pool yet! The 2 swimming ellies got out and all 3 went running off to somewhere in the yard! Fun to watch!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
September 11th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Quennie is still in Texas a fact Paws through the dept of Agri. is trying to change. Aside from that HAPPY BIRTHDAY KHOSI and hope you are enjoying it.
September 11th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Thanks for the update, Ron. I hope everything goes smoothly as planned with the rest of the herd. Also, please take a moment to pause and think about today.
September 11th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Sounds like the elephants are keeping everyone busy. I was reading about male elephants that are in musth…didnt realize they can be so aggressive and dig their tusks into the ground…very interesting. Thank you all for the wonderful work you do. Also great that you rescued the two girls.
September 12th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
You probably have heard that Ranchipur’s only offspring, Rozana, gave birth to a 318 lb female calf in Albuquerque on Sept 2, 2009. So, he is a grandfather!
September 12th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Hi! Got on the ellie cam and saw 3 deers on the cam–looked like one mother with 2 fawns–grazing on the grass in the elephant yard. What kind of deer are they? I think I read on some other comments that the deer could be mule deer, but I would like for someone to let me know if I’m correct, ok? I was looking for ellies on the cam, but it was nice to see a mother deer and her fawns on the cam.
Checked the National Zoo elephant page to find out about the progress on Shanthi, their Asian elephant, after her AI procedure in early June. Sad to report that there will be no progress at all because the ultrasound that was done just recently showed no signs of pregnancy in Shanthi. That is not very good news for the NZ elephant keepers because they are really trying to build an Asian elephant herd at the zoo, especially since they have been expanding their elephant yards on their Elephant Trails project that’s due to open in 2011. Hopefully, they will be able to find a male Asian elephant that can come to the zoo soon thru the SSP program that can be able to mate with Shanthi. The only time she was successful in getting pregnant thru AI was when Kandula was born in November, 2001. He will be 8 years old this November, and since he is related to his mom, he can’t breed with her. Ambika, the oldest Asian elephant at NZ at 60 years old, is too old to have baby elephants now. I was really hoping that Shanthi could be pregnant and have her baby calf at the time of the Elephant Trails opening in 2011, but that won’t happen now. I think this is the third time in a row that Shanthi failed to get pregnant thru AI since 2007. I’m sure that the vets will try again later on this year or wait until spring of 2010 to do another AI on Shanthi.
Gonna get back to the ellie cam to see if there are any ellies roaming around the yard before it gets dark.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
PS: Can you please get in contact to the NZ elephant keepers and give them some ideas on why your female elephants are so successful in getting pregnant and having healthy elephant calves? I’m sure that they are really looking for answers right now, and I felt that your information could be useful for them to have since they have been working very hard to establish an Asian elephant herd there. Three years of disappointments with Shanthi cannot be good for morale at this point for them. They need alot of good encouragement from other elephant keepers right about now!
Moderator’s note: Those are indeed native mule deer that often hop into and out of the elephant yard at the Wild Animal Park.
September 14th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
I am also watching for an update on Jewel and Tina. Hope they are doing well. Love watching the elephants in the water.
September 14th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
#36, ele-lover, thanks for the explanation of how Ranchipur had an offspring. When Ron told me that he came to SDZ from a private place in Washington, that meant he had not been to another zoo. Ranchipur’s only offspring, Rozana, came from Alice who was with Ranchipur at SDZ at one point, all makes sense now.
September 15th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Hi Becky #50 – Jewel and Tina are doing very well. Check out the article in today’s San Diego Union Tribune. Just goggle: rescued elephants make great gains in San Diego by Diane Bell. Also, on the SDZ Elephant Cam page click on videos “Elephants Are Weighed”. The two elephants look very happy.
September 17th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Sounds like the Mule Deer are great enrichment for the young elephants.
September 17th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Hi! I had the most enjoyable time for about 30 minutes watching some of the elephants at WAP playing in the big pool just splashing around, dunking each other, sort of swimming, and just having fun getting wet! It was mostly the calves that were in the pool–Khosi, Kamile, Punga, Ingadze, and Moose. One of the adult elephants was in there with them, but she got out after a good cool down. Then the younger kids came out, and that left Punga in the pool splashing around all by himself! Then, I think it was Moose that got in the pool to play with Punga for a little bit. Then, it all ended, everyone was out and walking to other spots in the yard. The rest of the adults were busy eating grass while all of that was going on. I finally got a great chance to watch these guys in the pool! Loved it!! Will check the ellie cam tomorrow to see if these ellies are back in that pool again.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
November 17th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
I’m wondering why the San Diego Zoo asian herd hasn’t had any babies? Are there any plans for any? I mean the Elephant Odyssey herd, not the Park herd.
Moderator’s note: There are no breeding plans for our Asian elephants.