Elephants Tina and Jewel: Training Progress
Posted at 4:34 pm October 2, 2009 by Victoria ZahnTina and Jewel, the Zoo’s newest Asian elephant residents, continue to do well here in San Diego (see previous post, Elephants Tina and Jewel: One Month). They have both completed a full physical, which includes having their eyes checked, neck palpated, and blood drawn, as well as other things.
Both girls are coming along well with their training, although Tina tends to catch on a bit quicker than Jewel. However, Tina tends to complain a bit more, too! She talks more than any elephant I have ever worked with, and if you ask her to do a behavior she would prefer not to, she squawks and squawks. Her personality is very entertaining, and she makes me laugh daily!
Last week, we made a mud wallow for the girls, and they had a great time throwing mud all over themselves. While they are in quarantine, they just have access to the special needs stall and yard, so we work hard to give them new and different enrichment to keep them entertained. Jewel has taken to the pellet toys and will continue to play with them even after she has gotten all the food pellets out.
Currently we are focusing on teaching them husbandry behaviors so we can continue to take great care of them. These behaviors include presenting all four feet to be scrubbed, leaning their sides in for body access, and opening their mouths for dental checks.
I am so happy to be working with these very sweet girls and look forward to coming to work every day to see what they will do next.
Victoria Zahn is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
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October 2nd, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Thank you for the update on Tina and Jewel. I’m glad they continue to do well. =)
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Hi, I was wondering how the other ele’s intros are going? Thanks
October 2nd, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Thank you for the update, sounds like the girls are settling in nicely. How much longer will they be in quarantine?
October 2nd, 2009 at 5:32 pm
I am happy to hear that Tina and Jewel finally have peace in their lives!!
Thanks to SDZ staff for their loving care to these (and all the others) mighty animals! What a wonderful experience to be in the company of these beautiful animals every day!!
If only Queenie (Tina & Jewel’s family member) could join them!!
October 2nd, 2009 at 5:55 pm
I’m so happy to hear that the girls are doing so well. Thanks so much for the update. Please go get Queenie
and let her lead a happy life too.
October 2nd, 2009 at 6:34 pm
I am soo Happy for them!! I bet Tina is just teasing you guys and she appreciates everything ..but thats a cute story ! Will you show more videos ? I would love to see Tina complaining! lol man elephants are really smart sometimes will take days to learn anything…im so proud of them girls!
October 2nd, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Thank you for your update. I’m happy Tina is able to express herself and even be able to dislike something. Most likely in her previous life that was not accepted or tolerated. Jewel playing with her toys does indicate she must be comfortable where she is. I have my fingers crossed for Queenie. Take care of those angels.
October 2nd, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Great to hear the girls are doin good. Thank you for all that you do for animals and their care.
October 2nd, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Thank you so much for the update on Tina and Jewel we all have been waiting so patiently for this.
All though I have been so patient my questions have still not been answered.
I would still like to know if you are keeping Tina and Jewel permanently? and when will you finally introduce them to the other elephants? I no this is critical and takes time but we are all so anxious to see what they will do as in the wild elephants are such social animals and Tina and Jewel have never had the opportunity to be social as God intended them to be.
I thank your Director and Zoo keepers and PAWS (if it was not for them they would not have been able to travel so safely together). PAWS is very experimented in all fields of Wildlife transporting and caring for them.
I’m looking so forward to seeing them finally having a much normal life then they are used to but they will never have the live that God in the beginning had for these beautiful Creatures. Thank you again for rescuing them from the horrible life situation that they had and did not deserve.
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Please keep us posted as to Jewel’s weight.
October 3rd, 2009 at 12:13 am
Despite their unhappy start in life, these two adorable elephants have finally found happiness and kindness. You are doing a great job. I also look forward to seeing them do what they would in the wild, and joining the other elephant group, maybe at the WAP where they can roam around. Love to Tina and Jewel.
October 3rd, 2009 at 12:22 am
Thank you so much for the update on my two favorite girls! Is Tina barking for you like I’ve heard her do, or is it another type of vocalization? It’s great that she has the freedom to complain now. I hope you let her get away with not cooperating sometimes. She and Jewel must have loved the mud wallow and the new toys.
I also saw the Twitpics, just wonderful! Tina looks more engaged now. Is Jewel engaging with you, or is she more distant? She seemed so weak; is she feeling any better? Also, Tina’s left rear foot doesn’t look quite right. Is there a problem or is it just a natural difference? How are their feet?
Thanks for all you are doing for them. They deserve every good thing.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:38 am
I’m happy to hear that Tina and Jewel are doing well. I just can’t wait to see them on exhibit, happy and healthy. Please continue updates on them, they have a fan club out here! Like everybody else, I’m hoping they can be joined by Queenie. They all deserve a better life than they had.
October 3rd, 2009 at 7:02 am
Thank you so much for your good work for Tina & Jewel. There are so many people that are attached to these girls (including me of course). We’ve watched them for so long, they’ve attached to our heart strings. It sounds like they are doing the same to you!
We would love to see more of them on video. Is that possible?
Thank you Thank you!!
October 3rd, 2009 at 7:57 am
Thank you for the update. We would love to see some photos or a video.
October 3rd, 2009 at 9:15 am
Thanks Victoria,
I see it did not take you long to fall in love with these beautiful ladies. What do they weigh now? Have they done any dental work on the girls yet? Did anything show up in the lab work? Would it be possible to get some pictures?
October 4th, 2009 at 6:37 am
Thank you for keeping us up-to-date with news on these two wonderful girls. It sounds as though they are settling in well. I can’t wait to see a vid of them leaving quarantine and meeting the other elephants. There will be joy in heaven on that day. Love to you all at SDZ and special hugs for Tina and Jewel. Please don’t forget Queenie though…
October 4th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Hi! Sounds like Tina and Jewel are doing very well for you at EO. When do you think that Tina and Jewel will be coming out of quarantine and start meeting the other ellies at EO? I’m pretty sure that they will love to have more company with the other ellies besides each other! Keep up the great work and keep us posted on their progress!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
October 5th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Thank you so very much for the happy update on Tina and Jewel. These two ladies hold a special place in my heart – right near beloved Ned. But there is one spot that will always be empty, until Queenie is saved. Again, thank you, Victoria, for taking such wonderful care of Tina and Jewel, who mean so much to so many people across America, and who deserve all the kindness and love the world has to offer, after the terrible lives they have lived before coming to SDZ!
October 5th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
I understand that these interesting creatures can hear and identify other elephants miles away. Since Jewel and Tina aren’t really all that far away from the others, have they noticed or reacted to them?
October 5th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Great news about Tina and Jewel! Hope we can get Queenie with them soon. Please keep the updates coming. Thanks for taking such good care of them.
October 5th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Thank you for all that you are doing to make Tina’s & Jewel’s days relaxing & fun at the SD Zoo.
It is heart-warming to hear that they enjoyed playing in the mud together, (even tho Queenie could not be with them to participate).
It will be a wonderful moment when they will have the chance to mingle and socialize with the others, … following the quarantine.
Please let us know, … if Queenie will soon be able to join her buddies at the SD Zoo. Thank you, …
Kind regards, ~Mark
October 6th, 2009 at 6:33 am
Thank you for the update. I would like to know if either Tina or Jewel have tuberculosis. I heard rumors that at least one of them might. Also, how much space they will have available to them when they get out of quarantine. Would love to see videos of Tina and Jewel.
Elephant Team responds: Thank you for your interest. Although it is unlikely they have TB, they are currently in quarantine until they have been cleared of all such disease issues. The living space for elephants at the San Diego Zoo is a little more than 2.5 acres. Here is a video of Jewel and Tina.
October 6th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
nancy in MN
This video is Tina and Jewel’s weigh in and it has been out for everyone to see for almost a month now I wished the zoo had more of an update video they have been there for over a month and see them everyday surely someone has a video on there Blackberry or Video Camera?
Sorry but Im frustrated and so is the public.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Thank you Nancy.
October 8th, 2009 at 8:01 am
How are the girls’ weights coming along? Also, is there such thing as “vitamins” for elephants???
October 11th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
I finally saw the wild deer you mentioned a couple of weeks ago. I had not seen them previously. They are either very hungry and/or very brave to graze in the middle of the open grassy area with the elephants not far away. I can picture the young calves chasing them as a good enrichment exercise. I imagine the adult elephants are accustomed to them and know they are no threat so they ignore them. More evidence of the great diversity of animals at SDZ and WAP.
I am looking forward to visiting both locations when I can figure out how to get there. I hope I can bring my nephew with me since he last saw the zoo when he was two years old and doesn’t remember it at all. He has always been enamoured with frogs and lizards, so I know he will enjoy the WAP as much as I do.
October 13th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Thank you so much for taking care of these wonderful girls….it makes me so happy to see them getting their needs met without the cruelty , abuse and neglect that was their life …if I miss lunch at work I am famished by the time I leave…these girls have been deprived of so many basic needs ….I thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul and may God bless your life for what you are doing for these eleangels…i know they are grateful just to get their little bellies full…. and to get to have a mud wallow…whoo hoo
October 15th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
I have an Elephant question: Is the skin color “patches” due to anything particular, and maybe they will fill out and look better as time goes by and they keep eating, and feel more safe? Tina and Jewel I mean, or is that the type of elephant they are? I loved to watch the babies in the water this last summer, a couple months ago when it was hot, thanks so much. I thought it was also cute when the baby tried to climb those logs or each other and plop down on the cool grass. Cool….and fun to watch.
October 19th, 2009 at 11:44 am
I applaud your efforts in saving these wonderful elephants. Is there any updates on the status of saving Queenie?
October 19th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Look forward to update on Tina and Jewel. Over the years of trying to save them from their lives of suffering and misery, they became a part of the lives of so many of us. Dana-latest update on Queenie can be found on IDA website.
October 20th, 2009 at 6:33 am
Thank you Earl for the information. I went to the website and found an email address to someone at the USDA to express my concerns for Queenie.
October 20th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I am SO happy for Tina and Jewel ! We saw them with the Cole Bros Circus years ago, and I remember looking into Tina’s wise sad eyes while children got on board for a ride- my daughter refused to-said Tina looked unhappy about this job. This was before I learned about their life in the circus. I have followed the progress of these girls and signed petitions, wrote letters etc, so it it wonderful to see them in kind caring hands. I wonder what they are thinking- that human beings can actually be their friends? I will continue to follow their progress…thank you !
October 22nd, 2009 at 4:45 pm
There is a new VIDEO on Tina and Jewel http://www.sandiegozoo.org/videos/index.html
Tina and Jewel are settling in just after being here for just over 6 weeks and developing a relationship with there keepers.
October 22nd, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Loved the new video!
October 22nd, 2009 at 6:33 pm
I noticed an elephant separated from the rest of the herd yesterday. Was it a male, or perhaps someone getting independent training? It looked like one of the adults, but was far away so I couldn’t really tell. I did not notice any calves near it on the other side of the fence close to the main building. When are the calves expected next year?
What does IDA stand for?
October 23rd, 2009 at 4:04 am
IDA – In Defense of Animals.
October 24th, 2009 at 8:00 am
The news about Jewel and Tina gets better and better. I enever had any doubts that they would do nothing but blossom under SDZ’s expert care.
Meanwhile, according to the San Diiego Tribune and the San Diego News Network, U.S. Agriculture Department has filed a complaint against the Texas elephant handler who once owned Tina and Jewel.
I heard on the radio that two elephant sanctuaries have offered free lodgings to Queenie, the remaining elephant, so hopefully she will be able to also move on to a much better life.
October 24th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Margaret: IDA stands for In Defense of Animals. I signed up for there newsletters and being a member.
This way I can always stay updated on what is happening to Wildlife, Animals in Entertainment, Petitions to sign to save the animals and much, much more. Right now there is an update on Queenie and we hope the USDA to conviscate her soon: The Article Is called> USDA files charges in elephant abuse case; IDA urges agency to rescue abused elephant from circus handler
• Thursday, October 22, 2009, 10:58
October 24th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Has it cooled off a lot in SD? It seems strange that the elephants’ pool has been drained for over a week. It was not that long ago that they were all enjoying community bathing and respite from the heat. Just curious, are they working on it so they needed to empty it?
October 24th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
#39, ilovethewildlife, thanks for the explanation about IDA. I had not heard of the group before. I hope someone is able to help Queenie.
October 25th, 2009 at 5:27 am
If they confiscated Boo is San Diego willing to accept her? How many elephants does the zoo feel comfortable housing? Could you squeeze in one more?
October 25th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Hopefully Queenie will be sent to the Elephant Sanctuary of Tennesse.
October 26th, 2009 at 8:44 am
The pool is still empty- no more swimming or is being scrubbed and cleaned and such?
October 27th, 2009 at 9:16 am
ahhh I see the balloon and the pool is back! yay!
when does it get cold enough for no more swimming if ever?
October 27th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Yeah! The pool is full again, but no one in it this afternoon. Looks fairly sunny, and it is still early, so maybe later today they will have a community bath.
NZP noted a couple of years ago when the spring time change happened that the pandas were startled when the keepers came in an hour earlier. I wondered if any other keepers have noticed similar reactions. Do the animals at SDZ or WAP notice the time change, mainly affecting keeper hours and feeding schedules, or are keeper hours staggered in anticipation of the time change as is happening this weekend?
Moderator’s note: We don’t stagger the hours, and, in general, animals are pretty adaptable to schedule changes.
October 29th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Hi! I just got an email from IDA about Queenie’s situation in Texas. The USDA has finally filed charges of numerous animal cruelty counts on the owner of the now defunct circus in Texas. That will hopefully open the door to get Queenie out of there and into one of 2 sanctuaries that will be able to house, care, and love her. Be praying that she gets out of there in enough time for the new place to get her stabilized, fed, and medically taken care of.
Just watched the ellie cam, and saw a nice group of ellies out in the yard doing their own thing. Gadze was having his own fun. I can tell who he is because he is the smallest ellie in the herd right now. What’s the status of our 3 pregnant ellie moms? Have any of them had ultrasounds done on them lately? I’m also waiting for word on due dates on these 3 ellie moms, too! Also, keep us updated about Tina and Jewel, their progress on their health, and their upcoming intros to the other EO ellies.
Back to the ellie cam!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
October 29th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
(Worried mother hen out here) The baby is down and surrounded by the others….is all ok??
October 30th, 2009 at 8:51 am
When is Jewel going to have surgery on her teeth? What is the delay?
October 30th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
The founders of PAWS visited Jewel and Tina at the invitation of SDZ, and were very happy and relieved with how they are doing. Pat said Tina reminded her of Gypsy, and Jewel, while still critical, had improved. Check out www dot pawsweb dot org News and Alerts section for the article, dated Oct. 29.
October 31st, 2009 at 8:11 am
just saw ALL the ele’s RUNNING up the hill towards their house area. Keepers must have called the ‘come and get your treats’ bell or something!! Too funny to watch them run in line!
the little boy went around the big log, while all the others stepped over it!
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:39 am
#49 ele-lover
Our veterinarians are currently working with both Jewel and Tina to assess their medical needs. Any invasive veterinary procedures that are deemed necessary by our medical team will occur once our staff feels that the elephants’ overall condition has improved.
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:53 am
Thank you Animal Care Staff. After writing my comment I realized I had no idea how dentistry is performed on elephants. It would be wonderful if sometime in the future someone could write a blog on how dental procedures are done on elephants, rhinos, etc. I am assuming it is not like doing dental work on a polar bear or ape? What challenges do you face with such a large animal? Thank you.
November 6th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Amazing! I tuned in to the cam a couple minutes ago, and was startled by at least 5 deer in the yard with a lone elephant. They all seemed to be comfortable with each other until the ele wanted what the deer were eating, which I assume was the big guy’s designated food. Whatever the situation, it was fascinating to see. I had seen deer early in the morning before the elles went out, but never so soon before dark. The deer must be hungry to be so brave. Or maybe they are just used to elephants.
November 9th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
The deer and black birds are eating and flying amongst the ellies at 3:30 cali time- I see them at 5 30 kc time. The deer aren’t even acting afraid.. they know where the goodies are!
November 9th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
The camera has been zoomed in on a mother ele and child. Looks like Punga and Mom. It has been in almost the same exact vicinity since 4:15 p.m. It’s now 4:50 p.m. Wonder what it is they have found that has kept them seemingly glued to the same spot for all this time? Can you tell me?
November 9th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Guess I’ll never know. They walked off during the 3 minutes I was sending my comment.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
I’m really intrigued. What was so good that two elephants would stand in the same spot for 30 minutes? Did the camera person happen to notice who they were or what they were eating?
November 9th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
I have a hard time understanding why updates on Tina and Jewel cannot be done more often as Im sure something happens everyday with them. Maybe something about there weight gain progress, how jewel’s tooth is doing? or maybe how soon before they meet the other elephants?
Maybe they can even post somewhere that they only do updates once a month or every other month. It was nearly a month in a half last time and someone must no something as many keepers that are taking care of them. All the elephant organizations I belong to have news and updates every month on time and they dont keep you waiting. This really upsets me because I have followed these girls and many of my friends and supporters for 2 years and now it is like a wait , wait situation that only requires a few minutes of ones time. Anyway enough of that I have other zoos and Sanctuary’s to visit around the world and will check back in a few days. Hope the girls are doing ok.
Moderator’s note: We would like to have more blog posts about Tina and Jewel, and we will post them as they become available from our animal care staff. Please remember that our animal care folks are extremely dedicated to their work, spending every moment with the animals in their care and this often means they do not have the time to do things like write blogs.
November 10th, 2009 at 9:17 am
I see the pool is empty again, must be time for another cleaning. Haven’t seen anyone in the herd having fun in the pool for several weeks. Once the temperature cools off consistently do the elephants still go into the water, or do you keep it drained over the cooler winter months? I forget from last year.
November 10th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Abiut 3 years ago Moosie had to have some corrective, I believe dental work and hehad to put under for a little while and but was fine an hour later, but he was monitered for quite awhile. They don’t go into the pool nearly as often when it gets cooler.
November 10th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Re comments 56, 57, and 58. I went to the WAP today and determined that Punga and his Mom were the two elephants I saw in the same spot for over 30 minutes. It seems that after the keepers leave in the evening, the elephants go to the other end of the field or some place there is a pile of hay and they will stand in the spot where the hay is until it is gone. Apparently Punga’s Mom is more than content to stand in the same place as long as there is some hay to eat. When she finished the hay, she left. Simple as that. In all the months I have watched the elecam I had never seen this standing in one place for 30 minutes scenario.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:47 am
#61, George Middleton, thanks for the update on the pool.
November 13th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
i just popped on in time to see a group of people walking across the ellie grass yard? some looked in green scrubs maybe?? curious minds ya know.
Moderator’s note: Keepers!
November 16th, 2009 at 6:38 am
Would it be possible to get an update on how the two groups at EO are integrating? Fights or Friendships?
November 16th, 2009 at 7:45 am
When will there be more updates on Tina & Jewel; and also all of the other elephants???
Thanks.
Moderator’s note: We’ve asked, but the elephant staff is very busy. We’ll ask again!
November 16th, 2009 at 8:10 am
Safari balloon out already? It is only 8:00 am there… here in KC it is sleeting with a little bit of snow mixed in! I wish I was in Cali!!