Tina and Jewel have moved into the Elephant Care Center’s special needs facility at the San Diego Zoo’s Elephant Odyssey (see post, New Elephants: Jewel and Tina). While going through the quarantine period, health issues and general behavior is evaluated. They have hearty appetites and did not stop eating for two days after we received them on Saturday, August 22.

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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