Two male African elephants born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park—Emanti and eMacembe LaLu Hlata, better known as “Mac”—are now residing at the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Texas. The 9-year-old bull elephants were recently moved from the Safari Park to the Caldwell Zoo, based on a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP), which is designed to maintain healthy, self-sustaining and genetically diverse populations of selected species, most of which are threatened or endangered. All AZA- accredited facilities work together to manage populations, participate in breeding programs, and promote conservation and education goals.
African elephants are listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Once plentiful on the African continent, decades of elephant poaching for the illegal trafficking of ivory, habitat loss and fragmentation, and human-elephant conflict have dramatically reduced their populations. The creation of a male elephant herd at the Caldwell Zoo is part of an important effort by accredited zoos to create a sustainable ark of elephants under human care.
“In the last few years, thousands of elephants have disappeared from Africa, killed for their ivory,” said Randy Rieches, director of Collections Husbandry Science, San Diego Zoo Safari Park. “When we rescued a family group from Swaziland (now eSwatini) in 2003, we took the first step to ensuring the survival of this species. By creating a bachelor herd of elephants, the Caldwell Zoo is joining us in this important leadership effort to save this species.”
Male African elephants typically form bachelor herds consisting of young males, separate from matriarchal elephant groups. The Caldwell Zoo’s newly remodeled, expansive elephant habitat offers an ideal home for these two young males as they enter this next stage of their lives. Upon their arrival at the Caldwell Zoo, the elephants were placed in a temporary quarantine, but they quickly acclimated well enough to explore their new home—the 3-acre African Overlook habitat, with a new 100,000-gallon pond.
The elephants’ area has a unique design with complete open viewing to multiple species, with their closest neighbors being a crèche of reticulated giraffes. The habitat connects with sweeping plains where zebras, greater kudu, impalas, warthogs and ostriches roam. Guests will be able to see the elephants explore their habitat and interact with keepers during enrichment programs.
“Elephants have always been a cornerstone species for the Caldwell Zoo,” said Hayes Caldwell, director, Caldwell Zoo. “We have never wavered in our commitment to help these great animals. That is why we have expanded this area and built the new elephant barn. We want to be able to give the best care to our ambassador animals and play an active role in helping the species now and long into the future.”
The two young bulls were moved together, as they are well bonded and enjoy each other’s company. As males approach puberty, they spend less time with the herd, and mothers typically push males out of the herd at this stage in their lives. In the case of Emanti and Mac, the Safari Park’s female elephants were beginning to show less tolerance for the boys—especially following the recent births of two calves: 6-month-old Mkhaya, better known as “Kaia”, and 7-month-old Umzula-zuli, or “Zuli.”
With the departure of Emanti and Mac, the Safari Park is now home to 12 elephants—seven females and five males. The adults were rescued in 2003 from the Kingdom of Swaziland (now eSwatini), where they had faced being culled. A lack of space and long periods of drought had created unsuitable habitat for a large elephant population in the small southern African country. At the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, elephant studies are underway on nutrition, daily walking distance, growth and development, and bioacoustic communication. Since 2004, San Diego Zoo Global has contributed $30,000 yearly to eSwatini’s Big Game Parks to fund programs that include anti-poaching patrols, infrastructure improvements and purchases of additional acreage for the Big Game Parks. San Diego Zoo Global is a conservation partner with the International Elephant Foundation, supporting conservation projects in every country where elephants are found in native habitat.
New blog! Yay!!! See you there…
Esampu, thanks for the heads-up, what a great video!
Jan, too cute about the boulder. 🙂
There is a great reel of Zuli’s greatest moments on the SDZSP Facebook page! They’ve posted it in preparation for his birthday. It looks like they’re doing some extra enrichment on that day as well, I hope we can view it on the cam.
A cute moment just now. One of the babies, I can’t tell which one, as they are in the shade/shadow of the trees in the west yard. There is a big bolder beyond the rock shelter there, and one of the calves is stretching up and over to put its trunk on the top, and dabbing around, looking for the hole to pull browse from. Too cute. No hole there cutie, it’s a rock, not an enrichment box. 😄
Watching Zulie laying down in a hay pile, wiggling around like a wiggle-worm. (Near the rock shelter, upper east yard) Flopping over to his other side, and picking up hay, curling it in his trunk and holding it over his head. And then sticking his hind end in the air. Baby Ellies. They are so adorable and sweet to watch. It just calmed my morning.
So much been happening lately! I’ll tell a couple of things I saw not-too-long ago, instead of trying to answer anyone’s comments directly.
Marula mentioned the sprinkler adventure and I had seen something with that “theme” around the same time. Kaia was standing right at one of the sprinklers, nibbling grass on the hillside, when it suddenly came on! She dashed away, poor baby, and I thought that was the end of it. No. She came back with Khosi, and Khosi was clearly showing her that the Mean Old Sprinkler Monster wasn’t anything to be afraid of. Because Khosi did something to it with her foot–either redirected it, “broke” it, or just partially corked it with mud (too small on screen to tell exactly) and it was only a little bubbling fountain, if that much. Then she drank some, swished the soupy mud forming around it, etc., until Kaia began to play with it too. Zuli was nearby and of course he had to come over and “get in on the act” too. It was absolutely fascinating! The next day when I saw them, one of the adults was eating near a sprinkler and the two little ones were close by. Since the adults had given the impression more than once that they don’t like the sprinklers, they–the adults–must be trying to “set a good example” for the babies by standing their ground. Or am I anthropomorphizing a little TOO much this time?
The other thing happened in the early morning one day. First the babies were playing push-and-pull-and-chase for awhile, which is always a delight to watch. Then Nisa and Swazi appeared from off-cam, they were very dark and had definitely been having a swim! Nisa headed straight for the babies and they came hurrying to meet her, and the usual caresses and, no doubt, rumbles. Nisa took them over to the beautiful new dirt-pile which was very high, and started dusting a little. Swazi decided to come too–Nisa brought the babies a little farther away to the other side of the pile, at that point, definitely not by accident. Swazi lay down on the dirt-pile and she was so relaxed and resting, she just moved her legs and her trunk once in awhile, but what was so cute and funny was that every-so-often she’d stretch her trunk around, scoop up a little dust, and fling it over herself from her lying-on-side position, then go into a trance again for awhile. I think she was “lost in her own little world” and half-dozing and very content with life for the moment. Eventually she decided to get up again, but I had to leave so I don’t know what happened next.
Regarding Umngani and Swazi–if I had to guess, I’d say either food or hierarchy. I have a feeling Umngani is being rather daring lately because she’s “displacing” her feelings about losing Msholo–she’s being a little rebellious. I don’t think she’s aiming to attain a higher position but I think she’s feeling less inclined to let the others “steal” her food. She’s doomed to fail, of course, the other two females don’t just out-rank her, they are BIGGER elephants to begin-with. But even though she loses, she’s not going to be a “pushover” if she can help it! Also I do wonder about where Khosi and Kami rank in the herd now that they’re “adults.” Probably Khosi just below her mother, and Kami (then theoretically Nisa next, for now at least while she’s still so young). I read that the calf has basically the same position as her mother, but I’m not so sure I buy into that all-the-way.
World Elephant Day coming up soon and–hard to believe!–Zuli’s first birthday?! This year has gone by at light-speed.
Gawa, thank you so much for sharing us the special screen-grab. I was ecstatic to see that. Big smile😊 I’ve never seen Zuli reaching up ( touching ) the keeper like that. He’s surely become a big boy. What a heart touching moment! xoxo
Love the picture of the Keepers reach to Zuli! Thanks for sharing, I missed it. But remember the first time I saw it with Nisa, boy was I excited!
Checked in on the Ellies just now. Mama U has her head hanging out from the rock shelter in the est yard, flapping her ears as the rest of her body is shaded. She’s “J” napping. Swazi was eating from an enrichment box and Nisa was standing behind her and stepped a little closer to Swazi. Swazi turned to see who it was and then she walked away. Geesh! She abandoned a food box for Nisa. Very sweet of her.
I think the chase scene was all about food too, with Swazi and Ndula.
Something sweet featuring soon-to-be-one-year-old elephant, Zuli. He has gotten so big the keepers are now within reach. I took a screen grab of proof of this which I just posted so you can view here: https://imgur.com/gallery/eViXiUs
Gawa, I think you may be on to something re: bullying. I just saw Umngani and Kaia get fed some treats. No one else was given any and it looks like most of the herd was shuffled out of the yard. Right now, I can only see Ndula, Zuli, Umngani and Kaia in the big yard. Umngani is eating in peace. I think the keeper didn’t do anything when Swazi was chasing her because they like to let them resolve their own conflicts. I’ve read about that strategy from a chimp sanctuary I follow online. Chimps fight constantly and the keepers stay out of it, mostly. Hard to watch for sure!
Oh,what a wonderful shot of Zuli!! He is my favorite. I have noticed that lately he is hanging more with Neepo. Love their trunk wars early in the mornings. Yesterday they going everywhere together in the upper yard. Little Zuli just trotting along side of
Neepo. It will be interesting to see what the keepers will do for the upcoming birthday. It will probably be something special.
Sounds like you saw a wonderful scene along with the little “piggies at the trough,” Midwest Fan. I wish I’d seen it too. I did see something in a similar vein this week and it has to do with our fave soon-to-be-one-year-old elephant, Zuli. He has gotten so big the keepers are within reach. I took a screen grab of proof of this which I just posted so you can all view it here: imgur(dot)com/gallery/eViXiUs (remember what the blog monitor said about links)
Gawa, I wasn’t watching at that time, but from your description, it sounds like it was pretty intense. I can only imagine that Swazi is showing that she is “boss lady” now that Msholo is not there. Or else it had something to do with food. We all know how much she loves her food. Poor Mama U….first Luti, now Swazi.
Cute sight happened the other day. Four adolescents (and possibly Swazi) were in the upper yard while Ndula, Zuli, Mama U and Kaia were in the lower yard with the gates closed between the two yards. The 4 adolescents were all facing towards the inside of the gate looking toward the lower yard. As my husband said “they look like pigs at the trough”. All you could see was 4 rear ends. In between the gates were about 3 or 4 keepers. At the gate in the lower yard was one of the moms and her baby. I couldn’t tell who. But anyway, the baby and mom were seperated a bit. One keeper was keeping mom busy while another keeper was giving the baby a “training session”. Baby was learning via the ball on a stick on how to raise its trunk to its head. This went on for a good 30 minutes. It was so cute. The same type of training session must have been going on at one of the gates to the right as the cam panned over there and I could see the other mom and her baby there. Those babies are growing up so fast.
Did anyone see what happened just before Swazi appeared to be aggressively chasing Umngani at around 11:40 am (Pacific) today?? It seemed intense and a keeper that was giving out treats in the back corner (near where the evil big green crate is usually stored) was left in the dust. He just stood there seemingly dazed for a while. The camera then panned left to center on the stone structure and everyone just appeared to be focused on loads of new browse….?
I’ve been checking in with the Ellies when I get to work, my time, 7:00 Central Time. It’s still a little dark, so our days are getting shorter. So sad, as the time this year sure has gone by fast. Before we know it, we will be celebrating the babies birthdays. They are growing fast!
Wishing you all a great day of Ellie watching. And another day of the calves silliness.
Oh did the keepers do the stacking??? At first I thought the herd was trying to send us a message, but then I saw them knocked over and thought oh they were setting up bowling! 😂 I put nothing past this group! Kaia was using Zuli as a comfy couch this morning, then got a nice head butt in return. Seems the babies are getting back to normal, although I do notice Kaia spending more time with her mom. I think she was bored when mom spent so much time with Msholo and that’s why she’d wander the yard terrorizing the rest of the herd😂
Keeping my eagle eye out anytime they pan the back areas!!! Hope everyone is doing well 😀
Midwest Fan, totally agree we need some good news! I understand that bulls eventually have to leave the nest, but it’s been so many at once 🙁
Interesting that the zoo is now changing their tune and saying they hope Msholo does indeed have offspring! Since the ATL zoo can hold more elephants, maybe they’ll bring more females in. I do wonder how the girls at ATL will react to Msholo, I know they’ve been bonded for quite a long time. Msholo is good with the ladies, so I’m sure he’ll charm them as he did Umngani and Swazi.
Has anyone noticed the keepers have been stacking boxes on top of each other? It’s been fun watching the ellies navigate those! I also caught Keeper Evan this morning tossing treats over the fence and then saw him kneel down and take some photos of Kaia and Zuli with his phone – finally got a glimpse of the elephant Martin Scorsese at work!
Have a wonderful day, everyone …
That may have been Nisa. Kaia was with Mama U, Khosi and Neepo in the lower yard from around 8:45 PST to early afternoon. I think Swazi, Kami and Nisa were in the bigger pen in the upper yard and I think Ndula and Zuli were moved elsewhere while the big yard was being cleaned.
I think we are looking for some good news since things have been pretty much been in turmoil for the past few months. Perhaps there is a new ellie behind the scenes, but it could be a long and slow process to make the introduction. Here in Omaha when Louie was moved here, it only took a day to introduce him to a few members of the herd, but a full week to introduce him to all. Callee was moved here from the Birmingham Zoo in May and nothing has been mentioned about him being moved into the yard yet. I am sure he has, but it just hasn’t been published.
I am sure SDZSP has every intention of bringing a new male (and possibly others) into the herd. I personally am hoping it is sooner than later. We need some good news.
This morning I saw Duly and Zuli in the upper yard by the barn. When I saw a movement on the other side of the bars and it looked like a small elephant. I thought Kaia was in the lower yard. It moved off to the right out of camera range and they moved with it. Did anyone else see this? Later I saw 2 people moving behind the bars. It could be a training for Kaia but….
So glad to see my Insta pal BequiJ has jumped right in and is sharing so much already — welcome! (When all was still unknown about M’Sholo I pointed her to the blog.) And, Bequi, sure enough, there are definitely hopes that he’ll breed with the ladies in Atlanta…came across this on the website for the San Diego Union-Tribune:
Msholo the African elephant leaves San Diego Zoo Safari Park for new home, companions
At Zoo Atlanta, the adult male will live with two females of child-bearing age
By BRADLEY J. FIKES
JULY 27, 2019 6 AM
After a decade at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Msholo the African elephant has a new home.
Msholo (mi-SHOW-low) is now housed at the Zambezi Elephant Center at Zoo Atlanta, where he arrived Wednesday. Zoo Atlanta’s two female African elephants, Kelly and Tara, arrived June 16. The move is meant to partly benefit the species, but also to give the 30-year-old male some new companions.
All three will be visible to the public at Zoo Atlanta’s new African Savanna habitat, which opens Aug. 8. The center and habitat can house seven elephants. The area is three times the size of the older area and includes pachydermic amenities such as a pond and two waterfalls.
Moving an 11,000-pound elephant is a logistical feat not undertaken lightly.
“In this case the move took a couple of days and a large team of people,” San Diego Zoo spokeswoman Christina Simmons said by email. Beforehand, keepers worked with Msholo to prepare him for things he would experience with the move, such as entering a crate.
The transfer was done in accordance with a Species Survival Plan adhered to by zoos in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, (AZA) Simmons said.
“The decision is made by reviewing the natural history of the species, individual history of the animal, current and potential destination facilities,” Simmons said. “Adult male African elephants generally move between social groups, spending a large amount of time on their own, with other males or with female elephant herds.”
Msholo was brought to the United States from Swaziland in 2003, part of a group of elephants rescued from a planned culling. He was first sent to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo. In 2009 he was brought to the Safari Park, with the hope he would breed with female African elephants there, Simmons said.
“Unfortunately after 10 years here he has never fathered offspring,” Simmons said. “He has, however, served an important role in our herd, by providing a dominant male figure that has helped teach our young males as they have grown up, helping them develop into the well-behaved young men they have become.”
Meanwhile at Zoo Atlanta, the upgraded habitat provides favorable terrain for breeding — and new companions. The females, Kelly and Tara, are both 36 years old. They arrived at Zoo Atlanta in 1986 and are closely bonded, spokeswoman Rachel Davis said by email.
Elephants can live up to 60 or 70 years in the wild. Females stop bearing calves around the age of 50. That means there’s plenty of time for Msholo, Kelly, and Tara to contribute to the survival of their species.
Zoo Atlanta’s new African Savanna is part of a “major transformation of the Zoo,” Davis said.
“We’ve talked to many zoos with elephants since the project became a reality,” she added, “and are working with the AZA Elephant SSP and other zoological organizations with elephants to utilize our new facility to enhance both elephant care and sustainability.”
Thank you, blog monitor, for the very helpful tip!!!! (Now, if only I’ll remember it. ) Nevertheless, we appreciate your keeping us safe too.
Blog Monitor’s note: Meh, if you don’t remember, I’ll make the switcheroo. 😉
8.30 PST and the herd seems stressed. Swazi and Nisa are now standing in front of the bars in the upper yard and Swazi is pacing a little bit. Why no morning snacks yet?
I have a story to tell that goes along with Marula’s, but for the moment I just wanted to say that there are two nice videos posted by zoo visitors at Caldwell Facebook, showing Emanti and Mac playing in their lovely pool. 🙂
I forgot to say in my last post, which may not show up for a while as I posted a link and it will have to be filtered before allowed to appear, but I wasn’t sure any of you had seen it or shared it. So if it’s already been shared, I apologize, it’s been hard for me to keep up during the summer working long hours.
Yesterday I had a moment to pop in and caught Ndula and Mama U, standing near the passageway from the east yard, sniffing the air towards the west yard and up towards barn there. They were very interested in the smell I assume that was coming their way. Sometimes they would have one ear flared, or both. I’m sitting on the edge of my seat with the rest of you wondering, waiting and watching.
I am really excited too, about Aug. 10th as it seems our Ellies, and our Keepers will be on the Animal Planet Show too.
Here’s an article I found regarding it. sandiegouniontribune(DOT)com/news/environment/story/2019-07-24/animal-planet-san-diego-zoo
The camera people and all we have noticed through the year have probably been from Animal Planet.
Blog Monitor’s note: Helpful hint: Only a “live link” will hold your comment up in moderation. I come in and edit the link (as it now reads above) so that it’s not “live” and then I can pass it through. If you copy/paste an URL, simply remove the https, the //, and the www and put “(DOT)” in place of one of the…dots, lol. Then it’s not a live link. Folks can still copy/paste it from your comment, they just need to replace “(DOT)” with an actual period in their browser bar.
My husband says I am seeing things but I am keeping my hopes up! 😀 I’ll have my eagle eyes out again today and see if I see anymore “suspicious activity” lol. I also enjoy watch Kaia stalk Zuli 🙂 I love how she just kind of circles or lurks nearby while he nurses, or when he’s napping Ndula and her have the stare off until she can find a way to sneak up and pounce on my poor napping baby. My boy loves his naps! 😆 Can we freeze them at this size, please?
Bequi, I think you are on to something! I was watching yesterday afternoon and saw Ndula and Zuli spending a lot of time by the gates at the upper yard. They were really curious and sniffing everything. I’ve seen them standing in that area before, but usually only while waiting for keepers and never with such curiosity. So maybe we will see a new guy soon!
This morning, Swazi and Nisa got treated to an extra long training session. They are such greedy girls, they kept their trunks at the keeper’s height so they could get more. It was very funny.
Pool party going on again with babies.
WOW! A lot sure has happened since I last watched, and posted.
Msholo, we will miss you! I have always wondered if he could sire a calf, as I have seen him many times bred with all the girls and nothing ever came about. I had hoped that he could, he has such a wonderful disposition and he is one handsome bull imagine the beautiful babies he could sire. Very happy that our Ellies are being sent south, and not sent to the northern cold climates, so I appreciate the choices SDZSP is making for our Ellies.
I had been working those long hours 12-14 hours days and this past week I was on vacation. My granddaughters are visiting so we went to our Brookfield Zoo and had a wonderful time. Got soaking wet from the Dolphins that the trainers sent out to intentionally splash the people sitting in the “splash zones.” Boy was the water salty. Yuk! We had a wonderful day, the day wasn’t hot, low humidity and the animals were pretty active. We spent a little time watching a keeper set up a new habitat for a snake which was interesting. We don’t have any Elephants here, which I am happy about. The winters here are brutal and very long and it’s no place for an Elephant who may have to spend weeks at a time in a barn to stay warm.
I’ll be back to work Tuesday and then I’ll be back to watching our herd as much as I can. It will be strange to get used to not seeing the big guy there, I just wish him the best and I hope Msholo’s new Keepers know how lucky they are to receive one the best bulls in the world. (I bet they do). I had an inkling something was going on, as the last few times I watched, I thought I saw some Keepers that were new, and I had remembered from times past when I would see a new face, that our Ellies would disappear. Then again, Keepers go on vacation, have sick days and babies, so I couldn’t always count on that being the reason there was a new face.
I read pretty much to where I left off and have appreciated all your shares, thank you! And a hi trunk wave to our newbies.
Looks like we’re headed for some maybe, “new” surprises to welcome to our own herd. Maybe Mabu will come back for a while, one never knows.
Wishing you all a great day of Ellie watching, and I hope to do some of the same today myself.
Ok call it “speculation” but the camera was just on Momma U and Kaia getting treats from their keeper but at that angle you could see the far back yard and there it was….a mystery elephant!!! I zoomed and and saw movement and everything so it wasn’t a rock or a wall. I got one screen shot before the camera suddenly moved. I hope I wasn’t just seeing things and we are going to be having a new edition soon!!!!
Poor Zuli and the mean sprinkler. That boy has always been afraid of water falling from the sky! He would be under his momma the minute it would start to sprinkle, yet goes full speed into the pool 😂 I love him so much!
Hope everyone has a good weekend and keep an eye out on that far back yard when the camera scans!!!! 👀👀👀
Thank you Jill. I finally got to see babies having fun in the pool this afternoon but there was something else happened. I’ll tell you all in a second. (It’s still 7/26 in Escondido.)
Here is what I saw– Neepo and Zuli were at the lower yard. Neepo laid his trunk over Zuli and encouraged the little one to go into the pool with him. Of course, Zuli is ecstatic. As they were entering, Kaia came hurrying to join them. Zuli mimicked what Neepo did, he laid his little trunk over Kaia. For a little while, Neepo played with them. What a lovely sight! Soon, Neepo disappeared from the cam as he went further into the pool. Babaies stayed at the shallow water, did splashing and pushing game.
All of a sudden, the two frightened babies ran away at their full speed! What happened? Oh no! The sprinkler started chasing them away. How mean! They ran all the way to back of the stone shelter. I think Kaia went to Khosi or Kami for comfort. Zuli saw Mama U had no flinch while the sprinkler-water “stacking” her and she continued eating hay, very casually. Maybe I could get a little bit closer as well?…Zuli went forward to the direction where the water was splashing and stopped right behind the round rock( similar size as him), which sheltered him from the vicious “sprinkler-creature”. He tried to be brave and peeked at it. But, “No~! :-(” He ran away.
Five minutes later when the sprinkler had stopped functioning, Zuli went back to the pool. Whew, poor babies had a little fright this afternoon.
Zuli and Kaia will eventually learn that the vicious “water splashing creature” is just the funny little sprinkler.
Nothing to fear about. Elephants are so adjustable in life and incredibly intelligent. There had been many movements and remaining SD ellies have surely been experiencing the turbulence, missing boys so much. Same as their human family, the keepers have been the same as well. We all have been, haven’t we? But there IS always a happier side, too. It’s really comforting to see adult ellies ( three big Mamas) have been developing stronger bonds than ever and looking out for each other. Also, three young ladies and especially Neepo, who amazes me every day how caring and loving young ele his is to the babies. Awww, the little munchkins! This wonderful herd truly gives us to see their bright future ahead and makes us very optimistic about it.
They will learn and “turn their pages” in their life—their next happy chapter. Thank you for the reassurance, Lana. And thank you everyone for the encouraging comments lately. I really appreciate it.
Esampu, I will never forget our gentle giant, Msholo, too.
Ah, he is a legend!
Babies having quite the fun in the pool.
I hope Zoo Atlanta starts posting new photos of Msholo soon … I know their new exhibit doesn’t open till mid-August, who knows, maybe they will have a cam as well (nowhere near as entertaining as the SD herd, of course).
Went to the Denver Zoo yesterday and spent some time watching our guys and had to marvel again at how magnificent these animals really are. I watched the oldest bull (49 year old Groucho) pick up the smallest slices of produce with his trunk and watched two youngest bulls climb all over the exhibit to get treats. The two young bulls were moved from a zoo in Canada and are thriving here, so Msholo will probably do well in his new home. Our girls will make it as well. I too have noticed that Ndula and Umngani are spending more time together. Even Swazi appears to have softened a little around the babies, likely because she’s realized Nisa loves them.
Anyway, I will keep watching .. have a nice weekend everyone 🙂
Start of little pool party going on. They did mention Msholo’s move to Zoo Atlanta when you go to cam.
BequiJ, I was just thinking (last night or very early this a.m. when hardly daylight in Escondido) that Umngani and Ndula seemed to be much more companionable with each other than I remember seeing them except right after Kaia was born, when Ndula was close and comforting the first night or so while Umngani was temporarily separate from the others. I think this is the case now, too–Umngani is missing Msholo and Ndula is doing what she can to help her. (This isn’t fanciful, elephants truly do comfort each other, they’re very empathetic and sympathetic. One reason–among many–why I love them so much.)
That’s a good theory about why the herd is off in the back so much. If/when there’s a new bull, he’ll be kept separate for awhile–until they all get to know each other with a fence (or even more, initially) in between just to be safe at first. Not necessary with Mabu when he visited, I believe, since they all knew each other for a long time.
I miss Msholo so much already. But like you, I’m trying to look at the positives that will come out of the changes. Also I wanted to tell you how happy I am that we’ve got some “new people” contributing to the comments! I usually say “hi” to newcomers right away but I haven’t done much commenting lately and fell behind with who said what and when. I’ll never catch up now!
Esampu, I came to the same conclusion–the females at Atlanta must not be able to have babies for some reason, and it certainly looks as if Msholo can’t “make” babies, either. (Although some unexpected things could yet happen, you never know!) It makes perfect sense to group such ellies together, they get a “herd” of sorts which is really SO good in so many ways… Grrr about Zimbabwe but better the ellies come here than go to China like they have in the past!!! (If anyone is offended by that, I’m sorry, but I’m not going to retract it although I’m not usually so vehement about such things–at least not in the blog anyway.)
From an objective viewpoint–and I’m trying to have one, as we all are, even though we’re sad about this–it will be an interesting time to see how a new bull (we’ll have one here eventually, I’m sure) will acclimate to his new home, and how the ladies will react and adapt to “a new man in town.” Knowing SDZSP, they’ll be (or have been, if he’s already selected) very careful about the personality and temperament of anyone they bring to the Park. We may “fall in love all over again,” although we never will forget Msholo.
I agree there may be a new make soon. I have noticed everyone hanging out in the way back area of the side yard and wonder if it’s because they hear or smell someone new??
My love for Nisa grows daily. Her, what I call obsession with Zuli warms my heart but you can tell when Kaia joins she’s gets a little overwhelmed, she has a very expressive face. I notice Swaze is never too far away when Nisa is watching both. I also notice Neepo and Zuli getting closer which I love. Please please don’t move him out anytime soon!!! And the past couple days I’ve notice a friendship forming between Umgani and Ndula, which I had overheard a couple volunteers say they had never been too friendly towards each other. I’m looking at the positives of the moves!!! I miss seeing the big guy 🙁
I suspect we will see a new bull soon – perhaps he is even already there, in quarantine.
Msholo must not be able to reproduce, the move to ATL is being promoted as a social enrichment move for their existing female elephants and not an SSP recommendation. The zoo has mentioned their space fits seven elephants, so they will probably slowly move more in (hopefully none of the gals at SDZSP).
The only consolation is at least they didn’t import one from the wild, there’s been some news that they are planning on bringing more from Zimbabwe (per an article in the NYT).
Hope msholo feels safe and is acclimating! I will never forget meeting him.
Agree, Midwest. I feel terribly sad for Umngani… I did see the babies playing in the water and poor patient Nisa! The little ones cheered me up and I think all that happy playing probably helps the adult ellies to cope, too. They’ll settle in, this whole scenario is nothing new, but I have no doubt they feel the loss(es); just that eventually they do “turn the page.” But having Zuli and Kaia is certainly a help to us humans! Seeing more and more difference in size between the two, but they seem evenly matched in play–whether Zuli “pulls his punches” or she’s just such a whirlwind of energy that no one can withstand her–maybe both? Hopefully more pool-parties and mud-wallowing parties with this hot weather–those little trunks and feet splashing around! Too cute.
It makes me very sad that Msholo is gone, but happy that he is at great new place. It looks fabulous. I feel so bad for Mama U as she was especially so close to him. She just seems kind of lost right now. The yards seem so empty. Hopefully that will change soon.
On a lighter note, there is a great pool party happening right now in the lower yard. The babies and Nisa (she is SO good and patient with those two). Both Zuli and Kaia are having a hardtime, but good time, with that slope getting in and out of the pool.
Paula
No mention of a new bull yet as far as I know.
I just read that Zoo Atlanta acquired Msholo from San Diego, Is there another bull and what it his name …..you probably posted it earlier and I just missed it.
Looked up Zoo Atlanta and the new habitat is going to be great. Msholo will do well there. Still sad he’s gone.
I wished the rest of the herd would be shown together more. They seem separated in the yards.
I’m hoping for a new bull also.
Thank you to everyone for the new information, especially Gawa for the quoted article/press release. Sounds like a good zoo with a nice new elephant habitat…
I’m not surprised but I’m terribly sad to have Msholo leave SDZSP for a lot of different reasons. Of course it was inevitable that he’d be moved eventually–he came here from Lowry, after all, and there’s also the SSP considerations which are totally valid.
So, another change to adjust to! Time to follow-up on the info and “see for myself.”
I hope this is the last move, except for maybe a new bull. I did catch Msholo and Swaze “together” a couple times but don’t think it was long enough that she would be pregnant.
I caught the Zuli/Neepo fun this morning and then caught them laying in the mud pit together early this afternoon.
I am confused that in Instagram Zoo ATL said their females were too old to breed, but they late 30’s. One of the keepers at the Safari park said Swaze is in her prime for breeding and she’s in her 30s. I wonder if Msholo was sent there because he’s unable to reproduce? Maybe one day we will have the answers to these questions and more 😀
It just seems the older girls are sulking around the yard, and yes I know it’s 95+ degrees there, there just seems to be a kinda depressing feel to the herd the past couple days.
Thanks for posting the update. I am glad I found others that share my love for this very special herd 😀
ATLANTA — Zoo Atlanta welcomes Msholo, an adult male African elephant from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, to the Zambezi Elephant Center at the all-new African Savanna, opening on August 8, 2019.
Msholo (mi-SHOW-low), who at 30 years old weighs more than 11,000 pounds, arrived in Atlanta on July 24. He will occupy the Zambezi Elephant Center, the indoor component of the Zoo’s new elephant complex, for a period as he acclimates to his new spaces.
Msholo will meet the African elephants at Zoo Atlanta, Kelly and Tara, who moved to the Zambezi Elephant Center on June 16. The ability to meet a new social companion will be an enriching opportunity for Kelly and Tara, whose well-being was the primary goal of the design of their new African Savanna habitat, which more than triples the size of their former habitat. The African Savanna and Zambezi Elephant Center have the capacity to house up to seven elephants.
Features of the elephant environment in the African Savanna include Abana Pond, the largest of the complex’s three water features. Abana Pond has almost 360-degree access and a gentle slope for ease of use by multiple elephants. Additional elements include Chishimba Falls and Kalambo Falls, two waterfalls named for falls in Africa, and a feeder enrichment activity wall. The indoor Zambezi Elephant Center likewise features elements designed with elephant well-being in mind, including sand under the elephants’ feet. The Center was designed to include a large observation area where Zoo visitors will be able to get a behind-the-scenes look at the elephants’ care.
“We are thrilled to welcome Msholo to Zoo Atlanta, where he and Kelly and Tara will be the first to benefit from the expanded environments, features and dynamic elements that make up the most significant transformation in Zoo Atlanta history,” said Raymond B. King, President and CEO. “In our commitment to leadership in professional elephant care and superior dedication to elephant well-being, we are also making a substantial commitment to the protection and long-term sustainability of wild elephant populations in Africa, where their future is very uncertain without conservation action.”
With the single exception of a young male who lived at the Zoo for a brief period in the 1960s, Msholo is the first bull elephant to live at Zoo Atlanta; all others have been female. Kelly and Tara, both 36 years old, arrived at Zoo Atlanta in 1986 and are closely bonded social companions. To prepare to welcome Msholo, members of the Zoo’s Elephant Care Team spent time training at other organizations accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in working with male African elephants, which are considerably larger than females. Members of the team visited San Diego to meet and spend time with Msholo, and two of Msholo’s San Diego care team accompanied him to Atlanta and will remain for several days as he acclimates to his new environment.
Over their more than 30 years in Atlanta, much has changed for Kelly and Tara’s counterparts in the wild. Illegal trafficking for ivory and human-wildlife conflict represent significant threats for African elephants. In 2018, Zoo Atlanta announced a partnership with Conservation South Luangwa, a nonprofit organization based in Zambia, to protect elephants and other species impacted by these threats.
Conservation South Luangwa works to identify and prevent illegal wildlife trade using anti-poaching patrols, aerial surveillance and detection dogs trained to find ivory, animal skins, ammunition and firearms, and certain species killed for bushmeat. Conservation South Luangwa also has a strong focus on mitigating human-wildlife conflict by working directly with local people to safeguard their crops and livelihoods while engaging them as advocates for wildlife conservation. In addition to these efforts, the organization has de-snared hundreds of animals – including lions, African wild dogs and many others – that would otherwise have died as a result of injuries in poachers’ snares.
Tens of thousands of elephants are killed for the illegal ivory trade each year, and the U.S. remains one of the world’s largest importers of ivory. Zoo Atlanta is a partner of The Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) 96 Elephants campaign, helping to bring the campaign to Atlanta and Georgia in 2014.
Other Zoo Atlanta elephant conservation efforts have included support for Elephants for Africa. Elephants for Africa, which works to promote coexistence with elephants in rural agricultural communities in Botswana, was one of the first programs to be supported by the Zoo’s Quarters for Conservation initiative. Zoo Atlanta has also supported projects for elephants in Namibia and Nigeria through its Mabel Dorn Reeder Conservation Endowment Fund.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the construction of the Zambezi Elephant Center and view video of the milestone of Kelly and Tara’s move on Zoo Atlanta’s YouTube channel.
The all-new African Savanna, which will also feature new and expanded habitats for giraffes, zebras, ostriches, warthogs and meerkats, opens on August 8.
Oh wow, thank you for sharing, Cindy. I’m so sad. 🙁 🙁
Thanks Cindy!!!!! It is also on their web site. Looks like he got there today.
I just saw on Facebook. Msholo is in Atlanta.
Hi, Lana! It’s good to be back 🙂
You have such a good point about Mabu possibly being older than they think. He looks older than Msholo. He has that super wrinkly look that some of the older wild elephants I’ve seen in photos have. My husband (!) and I like to joke about Mabu’s prolific-ness. Who can compete with such dominance? He went back to Reid Park and promptly got Semba pregnant, he’s unstoppable 😉
In all seriousness … I do think Msholo is gone. I haven’t seen him and the herd has been together all day. It is making me paranoid, however .. I caught Neepo in the small yard and started to worry but then the gate opened and Khosi quickly ran out, followed by Umngani and Kaia, so it looks like Team Umngani was just getting some sort of check or training as a family.
I did not see Zuli and Neepo’s sparring, but I did see Kaia and Zuli trying to get in on the pushing game Neepo was having with one of the older girls (maybe Nisa?) – the two older kids looked annoyed that the little kids were trying to barge in. So human-like!
Also, your theory about them announcing everything together is interesting … perhaps Msholo will also go to Birmingham to complete the bachelor herd? If Msholo really is gone, I hope they put another adult bull into the mix, not so much for breeding but for mentoring of Neepo and Zuli. Let’s not forget the tv show is coming out soon as well and some of our questions may be answered on the show. I saw someone ask on Facebook what the process was like to move Luti and Gadze to Alabama and someone replied that there would be more information coming soon (this was on the Birmingham Zoo’s Facebook page)
Hi, Esampu! 🙂 It’s good to have you back. You have some very good thoughts to share. I’d been thinking about that “viable” business for awhile but, like you, felt it was too sad–and also I’ve hoped he was just rather young (always felt Mabu was older than they judged), since males in the wild don’t usually even get a chance to breed until late twenties or early thirties or even longer. That’s supposed to be due to the dominant bulls, but there may be more to it than just the elders suppressing musth… Don’t think they’d move Kami, or any of the females unless at least two together. But since Khosi and Kami are the core of the next generation, I think they’re “safe” at the Park for many more years. (To which I add: “knock on wood.” Nothing is ever certain!)… I would think that the vet checks are, as you say, just part of a regular health program; and/or maybe checking to see who may be pregnant?… Not at all unlikely there is another bull (which doesn’t necessarily mean that Msholo is leaving; they’ve had two bulls there at the same time before–when Msholo arrived and Mabu was still there, and when Mabu came for a “visit” while Msholo was still there).
Something of some sort may be going on, however, which I suspect is why no announcement yet about Ingadze and Luti going to Birmingham–they want to put all their news, whatever it is, “in one basket.” Just a theory.
Was anyone else lucky enough to see Neepo and Zuli this morning? I missed a little in the middle. To begin, the ellies were all together, more or less, and Zuli was shoving at Neepo although you couldn’t really see because of their positions and the other ellies blocking part of the view. Then I had to leave for a couple of minutes. When I came back, Neepo was pretending to dominate/mount Zuli who was definitely having a wonderful time, pretending to collapse and wiggling there on the ground while Neepo towered (I use the word advisedly, he barely was tall enough to straddle Zuli) over him and rested his trunk across Zuli’s neck and back. Although that’s part of a dominance thing, Neepo was caressing him at the same time lovingly, so Zuli was just ecstatic about all of it. Finally Neepo stepped back (I could almost hear him saying “okay, that’s enough now”) and Zuli hauled himself to his feet, half-turned to Neepo (I wonder what HE said?), and then ambled off–with Neepo not far behind him –to join the others. How I love to watch them playing!
Hi everyone, I’m back from my wedding and honeymoon!
Sad to see msholo is missing 🙁 . I will say I saw him yesterday. When I caught the cam today, it was a little strange – both yards were open and the girls, babies and neepo were all in the lower yard. The camera zoomed out and i could see another elephant way up in the big yard. There were also no guests around, which was odd.
Anyway, here is what I think:
1. I could see msholo being moved due to the fact he hasn’t been “viable” – sad but true.
2. I could also see Kami being moved, since she is an orphan. However, as a female she is still valuable in the herd. I don’t think they will ever seperate the mother/daughter pairs (and they shouldn’t, EVER)
3. Don’t think the vet checks are something to worry about – these probably happen more often than we see on camera.
4. I do wonder if another bull could possibly be moved into the herd, thus the shifting, checks, etc
Hope to see msholo soon – really hope they haven’t moved him 🙁 🙁
I was an annual pass holder there, in fact I still am, but my husband and I moved to the Tampa area of Florida in May. Now the Lowry Zoo is my local zoo and that is technically Msholo’s home but I don’t want to see him anywhere else but San Diego 🙁 maybe he had to have a procedure or something and will be back in a few days 🤞🤞🤞I love him and his sweet disposition so much! And in my head he is snickering at Zuli when Zuli tries to engage him in “battle”. 😂
BequiJ, I completely agree with you!! It hasn’t been just today, it’s been the past couple of weeks or more. I was also screaming for the keepers and vets to stay away. Kami was also there in that yard somewhere, but not sure if she was being examined elsewhere or what was going on. We are supposed to be there September especially to see the ellies. I just hope there are some left to see. This just makes me so sad.
Is it me or has it just been a weird vibe day in the elephant yard? I’ve been watching over 2 years and today has just seemed strange. Maybe it’s because I know Msholo is missing but it’s been strange separations and lots of keepers out and about. I saw the vet checkup and kept screaming, stay away from the crate area!!!
Blog monitor: We’re all wondering where M’SHOLO is?? Can you please check with the elephant team?? Thank you.
Nope, no Msholo or crate sighting. Did see Swazi and Nisa get vet check ups earlier..
No Msholo sightings today 🙁 no crate either.
Posting this for Nusu…has anyone seen this handsome elephant today, July 22, 2019?? https://imgur.com/gallery/kOQOMdl
I saw Msholo early this morning. They had him between the gates and that was the last I have seen of him all day?? 🙁
Kaia, Zuli having tons of fun in pool for 2nd time today.
Call me paranoid….Has anyone seen Msholo or the crate, that was in the lower yard, today?
Small pool party but cam isn’t fully on it.
Excellent video of the Birmingham Boys playing in the mud posted on Birmingham Zoo Facebook! It’s great to see them relaxed and playing so happily!
Hello to everyone!
Gawa, I did see Neepo and Zuli on the 12th, wasn’t that wonderful? You got some great screen-prints! Thanks for sharing.
Midwest Fan, I absolutely loved your story about Zuli and Kaia playing at the gate! I could just picture all that racing back and forth and it’s just too cute to imagine. The two of them together are such a joy! Oh, how I hope you have a wonderful visit to the Park in September! We’ll all be sending happy thoughts to you and waiting eagerly for anything you can tell us about it, needless to say.
Northern California, I was so thankful that you’ve gotten through your move. Yes, the hot and humid days really slow me down even more than usual; although early morning with the dew on the lawn (if we’re lucky) is very beautiful, it doesn’t last long! Excessive Heat Warning here, it’s worse than Southern California because humid, not dry, heat. I could certainly enjoy watching the ellies have a pool party today!–maybe they’ll oblige me?
I’ve seen a few things the ellies have been-up-to, including Kaia splashing around in the “shallows” of the pool one evening. Her mother and Khosi were nearby but they let her feel as if she was by herself, “a big girl now,” although I’m sure they’d have rushed–with their tails up in alarm!–if she got into any trouble. Very unlikely she would, older like she is, and supposedly from what I’ve read (and seen in documentaries) baby ellies can swim almost as soon as they can walk; only danger to them would be strong currents in a river and crocodiles anywhere there’s water.
The other day I was full of “awwww” to see this: Kaia (I’m pretty sure, but I could be wrong) was draped over the top of a dirt pile as if to enjoy the cool, just “lying” there like a rug on top of it with her front legs facing the cam and the bottoms of her darling “little” feet showing. Her trunk was all limp and her ears drooped and you could see she was actually napping. Nisa was on one side of her, shading her with her bigger body, and Kami was on the other standing guard while “the baby” slept. It was beautiful and peaceful. After awhile apparently they felt Kaia needed to get up–maybe time for her to go nurse, or who knows what else (there are a lot of reasons an ele might have, that she needed water or just lying too long with her weight on her tummy or something… or a restless babysitter!)–and Nisa started trying to oh-so-gently wake her up. First few times, she just barely touched Kaia’s side with her trunk; in fact I thought she was just caressing her lovingly like they so often do. But then she started touching her more, and different places, and a little “weight” to the touches. Kaia was not responsive although she did stir a little. Finally Nisa decided that subtle and tactful wasn’t going to work, and stroked her with a bit more urgency. Little Kaia, all groggy, reached her small trunk to her half-sister and curled it around Nisa’s–it was so moving to see, and Nisa curling hers a little too in response. Then the trunks slid slowly apart, and Kaia stirred a little more and determinedly pushed herself up, using her hind legs and bracing her front ones, and–ears out a bit–came walking-sliding down the front of the dirt pile, and they all three hurried off “into” the cam direction. So there was definitely a destination or a rendezvous in mind from the start that the babysitters knew and Kaia was told when they woke her.
Rumbles to my busy little bee Marula, I felt that nice cool breeze! Thank you! And I love the story about Kaia wanting the cuddle from Neepo! I hope you liked this one about her, too.
Here is what I saw today at 5pm in Escondido.
Kaia just wanted to be glued to her big brother, Neepo. She was trying to go under his belly. Because that’s how he gives her a cuddle. “ Kaia~, let me eat for a second.” Neepo gave her gentle nudge. I love seeing the little girl so cuddly to everyone.
Then, Kaia went closer to Msholo ( Khosi was next to him as well 😉 and grubbed his big tusk. So fascinating to see elllie’s body gestures and how affectionate to each other.
Big trunk hello to my hooman herds, especially Northern California. Thank you so much for your lovely comments about me. I clearly heard your soft and peaceful rumbles from the Pacific Ocean. I missed you too🐬💦💕
And how’s my Lana doing in the crazy hot weather? I hope you are coping well. Sending my cool breeze with my wings. Buzzz🌻🐝🌈xoxo
Midwest Fan, your description of Zuli and Kaia playing and racing back and forth between the gate and the pool was absolutely precious. I was laughing imagining it. Thank you so much for sharing that! That must have been so amazing and wonderful to watch. Gawa, the screen shots of Zuli and Neepo are over the top adorable too! They both look like they are smiling, don’t they? Lana, you are always so sweet to send me such kind caring thoughts and rumbles. I think maybe you have been struggling with your health a bit this summer? So I’m so appreciative of you sending out a trunk hello to me during our move. You are always so kind. I like to imagine you sitting out on your porch watching your brother gardening. A very soothing thought. Marula, busy bee I miss your insightful and whimsical comments and emojis. You must be very busy buzzing about indeed. I’m sending you a gentle trunk hello and peaceful waves across the Pacific Ocean. Esampu, you must be off having a blast somewhere on your honeymoon. MG I want to thank you for the link to Luti and Gadze at the Birmingham zoo. I’ve been thinking of you a lot and hope your well.
The cam is on the ellies and several are hiding over in on the shady side of Stongehenge and fanning themselves with their ears. Except for dear sweet Neep
Gaga, your pictures are adorable!! Neepo will be such a great influence on Zulu in addition to becoming a best bud.
There was such a great play time between Zuli and Kaia yesterday afternoon. The gate between the two yards was closed, so they decided it was pool time. They would splash and roll around in the pool for awhile and then race off to the gate to see who could touch first. They would the turnaround and put their little rumps against the gate and you could almost hear them say “ready, set, go” and they would take off to the pool again. Ears flaring, trunks waving and tails a wagging. Then they would start the process all over again, splash, roll, run, touch the gate and go again. It lastest for at least 30 to 45 minutes. It was so precious and just hilarious.
Lana, I certainly agree that we all may be on edge. I am hopeful there are no more moves. We will be traveling half across the country in September especially to seeing the ellies.
In case anyone missed sweet Neepo playing with a very determined little Zuli this morning….so unbelievably adorable! Took 5 screen grabs posted here: https://imgur.com/gallery/xVJ8fuP
Enjoy!
I guess we’re all “still on edge” about ellies moving/not-moving at this point–it’s been a chaotic few months for viewers who of course don’t know what’s actually going-on. (But we seem to have dire suspicions, don’t we? Hopefully unfounded fears.)
Michelle, thank you for identifying Nisa for me (way back on 6th).
Esampu, have a wonderful happy day tomorrow and a happy life, too. Too bad about not having Umngani and Msholo there but if you’d ever seen what the ellies do to a “cake” (theirs are made of veggies and things, of course) during one of the “birthday” parties, you’d know that they’re very messy guests! 🙂 And greedy ones, too! No cake left for anyone else!–not even the bride and groom!
Midwest Fan, thank you SO much for the heads-up about the Animal Planet special, I’d have missed it for certain.
To our dear Blog Monitor, thank you for reassuring us about the earthquake! (I remember those “rolls” from my own few years in Southern California. My phlegmatic history teacher, who looked like Humphrey Bogart, calmly told us we’d be fine but added “If it gets any worse, I suggest you get under your desks.” Then went on with the lesson, which reassured us more than anything else, I think: business as usual.)
Jan and Midwest, about that distortion on the cam picture that day? I think this happens sometimes when there’s a BIG glob of water on the lens; I’ve seen something that sounds like that, a few times, after heavy rainstorms. You think?
The boys at Birmingham do look fine in the Instagram pictures. And thanks for both that information and all your wonderful posts of SDZSP pictures and video, Gawa.
Northern California, I hope your “move” goes smoothly. Sending lots of gentle soothing rumbles to help on what’s certainly going to be an exhausting day. I loved reading about Kaia and the pool festival! She does do a lot of ear-flapping and trunk-waving, doesn’t she? Even for an ele, she’s got a lot of enthusiasm… I watched her doing “the run” again the other day–all the way from the top of the hill down to the area between the gate and the “waterhole” to return to her mother. I suppose she’d been with one of the sitters, I only saw her as she hurrying purposefully across the enclosure.
A happy trunk-wave to my little busy bee Marula. I hope you see another pool party soon! 🙂
Yes, I have been having this worried gut feeling that Msholo will being going soon too. I keep praying that he won’t but I haven’t seen him in the yard with the rest of the herd as much lately and everyone says he keeps hanging near the crate (which for some reason I never see). I don’t get to watch very often lately so I’m hoping that I’m totally wrong.
Thank you for the well wishes, everyone! It’s been a whirlwind week already!
I saw all the activity this morning with the keepers next to the transport crate. I noticed Msholo in that yard sniffing around so I was quite worried, especially when I didn’t see any elephants on the cam for a while. I was extremely relieved to see Msholo in the big yard later with the rest of the herd.
Hi Everyone one! Gawa it was Kaia who started the big pool festival in the late morning. She was just vigorously digging at the water with her front feet then ecstatically rolling about in the water, trunk and ears flapping and her enthusiasm eventually pulled in one of the babysitters (I think you said it was Khosi) and Neepo was watching over the little ones too. Eventually Zuli went in and then Khosi (I think) and then Neepo just rolling and splashing about. I was so excited I finally got to see a pool party! Gotta run. Our big move is on Friday. Esampu so many congratulations to you and many blessings on your wedding day this Friday. Thank you everyone for all your wonderful posts. Love to all.
Super long behind the scenes elephant yard tour this afternoon and they were lucky enough to have Ndula and Zuli near them feeding from a big ball the entire time. So jealous!
Saw the very end of the pool party with the babies, Khosi and another of the youngin’s — does anyone know which one it was?
All appears to be back to normal, ellies in the big yard,visitors are now there and even a mini pool party with the babies.
Gawa, I have been watching the cam for most of the day and have seen what you described. Msholo is now the only one in the lower yard and he has been hanging around the crate a lot. All the other elephants are in the smaller yards above the big yard. Not sure what is going on.
If you check out bhamzoo on Instagram you can see Luti and Gadze sticking together as they explore their new digs. They look good and the enclosure/habitat looks nice enough too.
Thanks for the heads up about the sneak peek, Midwest! We’ll look for it on our cable directory so we can record it.
Anyone else see 6-7 keepers by the back yard all standing near the big green crate this morning (8:45 am)? Someone was taking photos standing in the yard (so no elephants around) looking towards it and someone with a broom and a dark colored shirt might have been sweeping the inside of the crate through the bars…..what’s next, I wonder? Maybe they were just reviewing how things went with the last move…?
I also confirmed that when Animal Planet folks were filming there both babies had been born so if/when they feature the elephants (how could they not?!) we should likely see both of them. Yay!
Esampu, only 2 1/2 more days!!!! 🙂
Just saw that there is a “sneak peek” on Animal Planet titled “The Zoo: San Diego”. It is this Sunday at 7:00 (central time).
Oh and a BIG thank you Gawa! Thanks for the heads up regarding August 10th on Animal Planet. I don’t watch much TV during summer and would have missed this for sure. I have really enjoyed, “Secrets of the Zoo.” I have been recording all of them and watch them over a few times to make sure I don’t miss anything.
Midwest Fan is right. The cam was distorted for a while. Hadn’t a clue what we were looking at, it was creepy, as when you tune in, you didn’t expect that, it almost looked like we were underwater. Nonetheless, it happens and had to be frustrating for the cam operator.
Catching up with the Ellies today, as I didn’t get to watch them all weekend. I hurt my back as was seized up in bed. Back to work today though, and I already have the cam up and watching. No Elephants is sight, though I see the gate was open last night. I love it when the herd is able to roam back and forth to the yards.
When hubby first told me of the earthquake in California I immediately asked where! I had hoped the Ellies hadn’t or the SDZSP had experienced anything bad from it. It is sad for the people, their homes and businesses. Hoping the aftershocks end soon for them.
Blog Monitor’s note: The quake was centered more than 200 miles from San Diego County. While we felt a bit of a roll (hanging lights and vertical blinds swayed lightly), we had no damage. All the animals are fine.
Gotta run, but before I go, wishing you all a great day of Ellie watching!
Yay! Big congratulations on our Esampu❤️🐝
I’m sending happy trunk trumpet to you! 🎶💐🐘🐘
xoxo
Mark your calendars for Aug 10th “The Zoo: San Diego” on Animal Planet! Just saw the promo for it during The Secrets of the Zoo from yesterday. So wonderful!
Hi everyone! My wedding is this Friday, and my family starts coming in tomorrow so I will only get small glimpses of the herd. I miss them already 😉
This morning, I saw some good bonding with Family Umngani – first with Neepo, Kaia and Umngani sharing a hay box. The cute moment was then disrupted by Kaia and Neepo fighting over the box like typical siblings. Neepo won and dragged the box away. Kaia and Mom moved on and joined Khosi. Khosi and Umngani had their heads very close while they ate, I imagine they were sharing some rumbles and mother daughter secrets!
Khosi and Kaia then walked up the yard to join Neepo who had made his way here in the meantime. Kaia continued being the annoying little sister and trying to take the branch Neepo was working on. Zuli joined the party and Neepo decided to hang with him. Kaia and Umngani then joined Msholo.
That’s it from me for now – have a great week, everyone!
It was weird on the 3rd because I think the cam was kinda out of control and everything was distorted for about 15-30 minutes. The mud hole incident this morning was hilarious especially when Zulu pushed Kaia in the rump and pushed her right into the mud. She must have given a little startled yelp because the 3 aunties came running. They soon joined in on the fun.
Michelle, you are right…that pool party wore me out. Seven Ellie’s in the pool at once having an awesome time. Nisa was so good at watching Zuli and Kaia to make sure they didn’t go in far and protecting them from the rough housing going on. Not sure who was playing the “charging” game with the babies. I agree with Lana that it was either Neepo or Nisa. The pool time sure drew a crowd of visitors. Not sure why they are not moving the Ellies to the lower yard today.
Hey Lana! That was Nisa. I wish there was sound cause it looked like they were dancing and singing to some old rock and roll! Kami and Neepo were the ones sparring and chasing each other in the back ground.
Michelle, I saw part of that pool party and I, too, am pooped! Got to be one of the most enthusiastic ones I’ve ever seen the ellies have!
Judy, esampu, and Gawa, it’s true, we’re all “on edge” lately. Jan and Midwest Fan, what happened on the 3rd that had you saying it was as weird as science-fiction??? You’ve sure got the rest of us wondering!
East Coast, good to hear from you!
Marula, my busy little bee, it’s so interesting to see how the ellies are adjusting to the new smaller herd; they seem to be “closer” somehow, don’t they? Especially seeing Neepo “mentoring” Zuli, I love it when they play together!
Northern California, I’m so glad you’ve managed to see some of the action at the Park, and so sad to hear that you’re having so much extra stress on top of what you already were dealing with. Moving is a nightmare, it’s not an easy thing even for people who aren’t dealing with health problems, but when you’re unwell yourself or have a family member who is, it’s “too much.” Sending you sympathy and encouragement, calming rumbles and trunk-hugs.
Does anyone know which ele was playing “charging” games with the babies on-shore near the end of the pool party? It had to be either Nisa or Neepo but I couldn’t get a close-enough look… that was absolutely priceless and just “too cute” all around! Also I loved the moment earlier in the day when Kaia thought they were going to mud-wallow, dived in sideways and then discovered her mother had just kept on walking! She scrambled up and hurried after, but I don’t think it was coincidence that when they stopped, she shook her head hard and flapped her ears “I’m SO annoyed!” style! Too funny to see a little-one acting exasperated like that!
Man, I’m pooped! What a Ellie pool party! Can’t wait for the next one :o)))
Yes, “on edge” is a good way to put it, esampu. Can only imagine how the younger of the remaining ellies experience these disappearances. Oh, and all I could find here on the SDZSP’s site and is from the elephant cam page:
In April 2019, in another SSP-recommended move, two nine-year-old male elephants traveled to a new home at the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Texas. And in June 2019, 9- and 10-year-old males Lutsvando “Luti” and Ingadze traveled to Birmingham Zoo in an SSP-recommended move. Our 10 current herd members are listed below:
Zuli and Kaia sure having fun in mud hole with a few others.
Judy, I think we are all on edge now that we’re down 4 herd members. I did see Msholo this morning as well, so all is good. I really hope we get to keep Msholo forever, Umngani, Neepo and Zuli need him!
Esampu, Thanks I’m glad Msholo is still around he must of been out of cam site!
Judy, Msholo is around! He is on the cam right now and I saw him this morning.
Yes, absolutely! All three of your comments, East Coast, esampu and Gawa, you guys made me so happy. What positive ones for the bright future! Thank you😊
Where is Msholo? It’s seems like he is missing.
Hi East Coast Fan, definitely got that because you said “eventually.” My own comments were just in support of esampu’s. 🙂
Just to clarify my previous comment, I certainly did not want it to sound as if I advocate that Neepo should be immediately be sent to join his buddies elsewhere. Although that time most probably will arrive in another couple of years or so, until then Neepo would make a most fitting sparring partner and playmate, as well as a junior mentor for Zuli. 🙂
Whaaaaaat happened at around 1 pm today? Please share. 🙂 Nusu and I only started watching just now and only witnessed some not nice behavior directed at Kami (pretty sure) by Swazi and Nisa early this morning. Appeared to be about food, of course.
I’m with Esampu about Neepo sticking around so Zuli and Kaia both have a herd member that’s just in it for the fun of it all. He’s so sweet wth them and Kami.
Is anyone else curious about exactly when and where they were doing the crate practice runs for Gadze and Luti?? We sure are…still waiting for a new blog post or press release. Maybe we can get an eta from our many-hat-wearing blog monitor? Thank you!
I hope they change the water in the pool soon b/c it sure seems like the elephants like a fresh pool too. Do you think they toss those feed boxes in the water for fun or in protest or maybe both?
Yes, I have been watching and it is pretty weird.
It’s 1:00 SDZSP time and I think I’m watching a science ficton movie. Don’t know what I’m seeing but it sure is creepy. Anyone watching with me?
Hi all, happy long weekend!
I have noticed this week a friendship between Kami and Neepo. They were sparring today and were eating together, but then kept pushing each other. Also noticed Msholo and Swazi sparring this week! It looked a little rough – Nisa came over to her mother’s rescue and Swazi was able to walk away. Khosi tried to cozy up to the big boy afterwards, but he ignored her. Msholo only has eyes for Umngani!
I hope Neepo can stay longer, Zuli will need a male mentor and Neepo is perfect for the job. I have read that one of the biggest effects of poaching bulls is that the younger boys don’t have anyone to learn from, so they go rogue and act poorly, which can have deadly consequences.
Very best wishes to Ingadze and Luti for healthy, long, and happy lives at their new home in Alabama. Hmmm … a transport crate is still in the west yard. Interesting that it appeared earlier that Msholo was sniffing around it for several minutes. Whatever the case, hopefully my fav Ellie Neepo will eventually be allowed the opportunity to join his buddies/bro at either Caldwell or Birmingham zoos.
Good morning, hooman herd!
A quick check in for me. Wow! I hadn’t noticed the pools were so full now. The babies must have they’re snorkeling down pat.
Kind of weird seeing the herd so small now, but everyone does look relaxed and adjusted. I’m going to try and watch more today, as I hope for a slow day at work with the holiday tomorrow, I think most people will take off work early. I bet the SDZSP will be busy though.
Have a great day of Ellie watching hooman herd!
Happy to see most of the hooman herd is all here again! We’re sending blessings and prayers and love and light to all.
Couldn’t agree more about what one learns about the incredibly compassionate and dedicated people working behind-the-scenes while watching The Zoo, The Secret Life of the Zoo and now The Aquarium. They’re all so AMAZING and inspiring! I’ve even had to replace the box of Kleenex in the living room much sooner than I usually do since we started watching these shows. (esampu – saw our first passing of a very sweet and geriatric otter named Oz last night which crushed us both.)
And while watching our recent recordings of these shows last night we took at break to take a peek at the SDZSP elephant cam (since it is staying light out so much longer these days) and couldn’t believe our luck!
We saw M’Sholo resting his head/trunk on the big rocks to the right of the pool for a little while and thought he might have been catching a snooze but then he soon backed up and headed towards to pool. I had just said to Nusu that I’d never seen him go all the way into the pool and then that’s exactly what he did.
Once in the water, he took a sharp right and as we zoomed into the screen on our iPad we could see that he started to “climb” up the rocks in the pool’s right corner while reaching, reaching, reaching and then don’t you know it he grabbed a nice clump of branches and then soon grabbed a whole bunch more which he proceeded to eat while still in the pool!
He also kept his browse away from any of the looky-loos that seemed to have come by to see what that loud cracking noise must have been b/c he certainly wasn’t sharing after all that effort and strategizing. I now think he wasn’t snoozing at all earlier but was studying the tree and working out how far he could reach or whether it was worth the trouble to try the climb knowing he had grown quite a bit since last year. (I did grab my phone and record this awesome scene so y’all know where to look if you’d like to see last night’s shenanigans. And thank you for the lovely compliment about my in-the-moment voice over work on my videos, Marula. You always pick up on the best things!) 🙂
Hello, Jan! Yours must be up while I was typing. Oh, you didn’t know about the boys? I thought you knew because of your previous comment. It was so appropriate and true about the keepers. Anyways, you are right about that. So thank you. Take care❤️
Hello, my hooman herd! How nice to hear from everybody.
Northern California, I’m so happy to hear from you at last! I’ve been worried about you so much. I’ll continue sending you my soft rumbles and praying for both of you.
Jan, I thought you must’ve been terribly busy. You always are, Superwoman. Now, I worry that your body get totally flattened out. So it’s time for you to take it easy a little? I really appreciate with your comment about the keepers and care teams. Thank you. I was glad that I read it.
Lana, of course, I was taken by surprise about the boys got moved to another zoo. Thank you to Michelle for letting us know:-) Bittersweet. But when I saw sweet Neepo being caressed by Khosi and Kami as if he were a little baby, then having fun and doing his “big brother-role” to those little munchkins, Zuli and Kaia, I thought everything will be just fine. You are so right about that ellies are so adaptable and they choose to turn the next pages of their life as they go along. I’m seeing Escondido ellies in one big “ Happy” harmony as always and I do acknowledge that this IS all thanks to the keepers and care team and all volunteer people in red shirt:-) Big thanks to them.
Esampu, you are always calm and true to yourself. I was so thankful to read your comment right after Michelle’s and gave me reassurance. Thank you very much. So happy to know that your wedding is only less than two weeks away! 💐🐘🐘
Gawa, thank you very much for your latest video. I always enjoy watching them with the sweet voice narration.
Look forward to hearing from you. xoxo🌻❤️🐝
Wow, I am really out of touch! I had to investigate Michelle’s comment on “two more boys gone” and did not know that Luti and Gadze have made the move to Birmingham, Al. For the most part, a nice warm state. I wish them all the best in their new home, I’m sure they will be loved by all.
Now I have to catch up with everything as I really have missed a lot working the long hours I do. Can’t wait to see the babies in pool parties and maybe some midnight swims. This morning I saw a Rabbit running from the east yard to the west yard as he hopped through the gate. Never know what we will see.
Hi Hooman Herd! I’m sorry we’ve been in the middle of a terribly difficult, perilous move since our landlord did not renew our yearly lease. It is terribly difficult with my daughter’s illness because among other things she has the most extreme level of multiple chemical sensitivities and allergic reaction to EVERYTHING. She is almost a bubble girl. I have been alternating between panic and paralyzed by the difficulties. Thank you for the wonderful posts everyone. Lana and Marula thank you so much for all your rumbles and jacaranda flowers and ocean wave hellos. Your sweet, loving hellos and rumbles especially to me have meant so much to me when I have had a quick moment to read. I miss you both very much and send you loving trunk touches and rumbles back.
I have caught some really cute moments with Kaia and Zuli wrestling, playing and exploring and they have made my life brighter. I love the stories of the ellies having pool parties past and present. Haven’t caught any pool parties yet. One of these days I will tune in and just the right time for a magical moment. Khosi breaching sounds amazing and would love to see that.
Esampu I’m so happy for you. You lucky gal!
A high trunk wave to my hooman herd! I have missed everyone. I’m working terribly long hours and actually have missed a lot of our Ellie herd. I will have to stop that.
I have been watching “Secrets of the Zoo.” What an awesome show, and it makes me think of SDZSP every time I watch it. I think of what all the Vets, techs and Keepers must go through. You really get to see how invested the keepers are in the animals and how the Vets really on the Keepers to help them with health care. Being a zookeeper isn’t as easy as it looks. That is why I said when Mac and Emanti left, it must of broke our Keepers’ heart. God Bless our Keepers, they go through so much with our Ellies, but yet the love and care continues.
Anyway, I was wondering how the herd is and if I missed anything of real importance lately. I will have to catch up with the posts, but there’s no way I can all of them.
Best wishes to all of you, and have a great day Ellie watching!
So much I’ve missed… but I did see a wonderful “whole family” play-and-love-each-other “event” early yesterday, with all the older calves touching and hugging and playing-with the babies, who were all over the dirt-pile and each other, while the three mothers stood close by soaking up all the affection and joy in the air. Babies climbing all over the older calves when they lay down, too! I’ve seen a few brief parts of pool-games but not yet seen Khosi’s solo performances. 🙂 I love it when she does the “whale breaching” thing where she tosses herself up and backwards!
Jewel, “elephant society” IS amazing, I agree. The babies do pay attention to the rules the mothers set down for them, unless they decide–when they’re a little older–to do something deliberately naughty but basically harmless. I think part of the obedience is, as esampu says, due to the nanny system. Also to the fact that in the wild, there are dangers everywhere for baby ellies so disobeying is literally life-threatening. And some of the good behavior is just due to the fact that ellies are so loving and so eager to please. Daphne Sheldrick always said that the only discipline the little orphans need when they’re small is to be told they’re bad and to shake a finger at them! Of course when they get a bit older, they need older ellies to teach them what’s “acceptable” and what isn’t–usually when they’re about 3 years old is when they “graduate” to the next step. I imagine Retiti is dealing with the same kind of child-rearing.
Rumbles to everyone, but especially to little busy-bee Marula, and to Northern California.
Michelle, thanks for the post about the two boys. I wouldn’t have known, otherwise, and it was somehow emotionally better to learn from “one of us” than from the new blog that will surely be out soon. It’s always hard to see our “babies” leave, but the boys will do okay, they’re good friends as well as half-brothers, and Ingadze can pretty much hold his own with Luti. Also the older bull at Birmingham has plenty of experience in tutoring/mentoring youngsters. They’ll learn a lot from him. And now Neepo is THE “dominant” male calf here at the Park; he’ll be a wonderful “mentor” for Zuli! (I can never say enough good things about Neepo, I admit it.) He’ll get a lot of confidence in himself now that he won’t be “low man” in the hierarchy, and soon enough he’ll be cautiously sparring with Msholo…
esampu, I’m sorry to hear that Umngani and Msholo couldn’t make it to the wedding, but I’m sure they send their hopes for you to have a wonderful future. Only two weeks now! 🙂
Hi everyone! Sorry for the abscence – I have been finishing up my wedding planning and it’s turned into a full-time job. We have two weeks left to go! Sadly, Msholo and Umngani never got back to me. Nevertheless, we will have a pile of browse for them should they decide to appear.
Gawa gave me a heads up yesterday that Luti and Gadze are now in Alabama. I must be really bad at recognizing them b/c I could have sworn I saw them this past week. The only comfort I get is that this is a natural move for male elephants, I do wish that the safari park would invest in a seperate space for the boys so they could at least stay nearby and get the same level of care they’re used to.
On to happier topics … I have been lucky to witness Khosi’s solo pool parties! Love watching her splash around! The babies are so good not to jump in – I think the nanny system is what makes them so well-behaved. Even if Mom is not nearby, Khosi, Kami or Nisa are there to get them on the right path.
Also noticed the other day that Neepo was allowing the babies to climb on him! He was stretching and laying on his stomach and both babies were turning him into an ellie jungle gym. However, one of the older girls came over and he became too cool for the babies and he pushed one of them away to hang with the older girl.
Till next time, everyone!
Two more of our boys are gone. It’s been nice watching them grow up. Mama U finally gets a break from Luti. Best of luck Alabama Ellies.
Thank you, busy bee! I was mostly unsure about little Neepo.
Yes! It is Kaia on the right. It’s funny, I had to double-check and watch the video to confirm. The way I knew for sure was by seeing Zuli doing his little squirming, turning thing with his baby legs. 🙂
Hi Jewel, I missed Khosi in the pool today but did notice the same thing with the reluctant babies yesterday. There definitely seem to be rules they follow when it comes to the pool.
Have a wonderful weekend, all!
I just watched Khosi in the pool having a great time. The babies were on the edge, walking and drinking. You could see they wanted to join their baby sitter but did not. The mothers were out of sight. I wonder how they teach the babies to be so obedient. Do they give verbal commands from a distance. I never see them discipline the babies except to distract or guide them away from something. I think human kids would have gone in the water, at least to wade. Elephant society is amazing.
Hi, Gawa. It’s me 🐝 I’m so happy to bee here🌟Since Holmes is currently busy at the case, he asked me to give this little note to you. “ From right, it’s Kami, Khosi and Neepo. S.H”
What a cute picture of babies spooning together! Can I play the who’s who game with you, too? It’s Kaia on the right and Zuli on the left isn’t it? Am I right? I can see her almond shaped eyes and his little chubby cheeks, awww💕Those munchkins are so sweet as nectar. Speaking of which, nectar! Gotta go. See you around, my friend! Buzzz…
Marula, aka, Sherlock: can you use your sleuthing skills to help I.D. the 3 ellies behind the babies in these pics? I always seem to have trouble with this trio: https://imgur.com/gallery/PtTnCid Thank You!
Thank you, Sherlock. I was really hoping it was Kami because it made me very happy to see one of the adults taking her under their wing (trunk?). I’ve seen them at a feedball together before so I think she’s got sweetheart M’Sholo looking out for her these days.
I think giraffes love acacia leaves too so I bet they get first dibs since I don’t believe they eat much else. Maybe our top-notch blog monitor can find out for us?
And did I see a second pool being filled in the back yard? Saw that it’s supposed to get up to 85 degrees there this week so I’m sure the keepers are getting prepared to help the herd stay cool!
Esampu, any wedding RSVP received back from M’Sholo and Umngani yet? 🙂
Hay, Gawa! It’s me 🐝 little busy bee! Did you call me? Or Sherlock Holmes that you wanted to see;-) The mysterious youngster who Msholo is sharing a feed ball with is Kami❤️ and the ellie on the left side is Luti. I can see Swazi and little Nisa at far back as well.
I don’t know what type of tree branches they are, maybe acacia? I remember Northern California has mentioned before that the keepers give them acacia branches. But I see ellies enjoying so many different types of tree branches every day. Umm, another mystery… Did anyone else see that?
Yesterday afternoon, I saw “Small Doe” (Mama) and a little fawn at the passage between the two yards. How so tiny s/he looked with those gentle-giant-ellies were munching yummy hay at the back!
Does anyone know what types of branches had the ellie’s stealing from each other at around 11 am Pacific today? I’m pretty sure it was Swazi that not only had some in her mouth already but then roughly shoved (face forward) one of the other bigger elephants to keep them away from some on the ground. Then, M’Sholo grabbed some right out of the mouth of another—I think it was Khosi.
Also, can our busy bee expert elephant I.D.’r help me with the youngster M’Sholo is sharing a feed ball with in these 3 pics. https://imgur.com/gallery/UZXXmR4
Hope everyone had a nice weekend and thanks to the keepers for keeping the pool fresh and the camera folks for all the closeups! 🙂
2:10 pm quite the pool party going on. Babies are already out but 3 or 4 are still in.
Hi, Gawa! We HAVE done that before! I don’t suppose you were lucky enough to get any video of the two “mud puppies” today? I’m still trying to figure out who they actually were–Nisa and Neepo? Kami and Luti? Or??? I suspect not even Sherlock Holmes could figure out who the muddiest one was! Priceless to see her(?) just lying there in the mud seeming to be half-asleep like someone drowsy and dozing in a warm bath. For a wonder the kids weren’t pestering! There was a lot of muddy fun the previous day, too, but such a scramble that I decided I couldn’t even begin to describe it all. The babies were involved in that one!
Gawa, I can’t even bear to discuss the Botswana situation. And I thought they were doing so well with their elephant policies… As far as trophy hunting goes, as I said, I can’t discuss it. The things I’d say would be “inflammatory.” Not for a lovely place like our blog. But if more of the people who fuss about “zoos” (which the Park isn’t) were aware of these other things, they might change their tune.
Where is everyone lately? I guess it’s summer-distractions-time! Even me–more porch time, more watch my brother do the gardening time… Soft rumbles to Northern California, whom we haven’t heard-from for way too long; we’re thinking of you, even so… Marula, little busy bee, I hope you got to see this just now:–
Zuli or Kaia trying to “stand” on the food-ball?! Without success–almost fell! Those babies are so “bad!” 🙂
It’s wonderful that Lana and Gawa both covered the story and video of Zuli and Kaia fighting over the “water-rights!” Even using the exact same words to each other was absolutely AMAZING! Always so magical when telepathic-thought works🌟 Thank you so much for sharing the happy moments with us all. You guys are awesome! xoxo
It would be great to get an update/follow up to his 2016 post here and learn Rick Schwartz’s thoughts about Botswana’s complaints about having too many elephants now and their plan to lift the ban on “trophy hunting.” He must be devastated and in shock.
Too funny, Lana! I just used the phrase water rights too when I posted some cam vids from earlier today on Insta about a half hour ago. We’ve done that before, haven’t we? 🙂
I really thought Kaia was going to start walking on that edge and think it’s just a matter of time.
Gawa, thanks for the great “screen grabs.” 🙂
I saw a couple of cute things with the babies today.
Zuli had been nursing, and decided to try to go underneath his mother although I’m sure he knows as well as we do that he simply does NOT fit any more. So there he was with his head lowered enough to get that under her, and shoving his body uselessly, jammed at the top of his shoulders. Ndula let him do it for a few seconds and then she just turned enough so that he had to give up.
The other “scene” was a very rowdy but brief game with Kaia and Zuli changing and shoving each other around, ears flared and trunks waving, “the whole nine yards.” They were quite rough with each other and wild with enthusiasm! This was at the “waterhole” and I think they were pretending to fight over water-rights! Ndula was there and she must have given them a “settle down!” rumble or two, because they stopped quite abruptly and then Zuli went around the “wall” to his mother’s side and stayed there, drinking from the puddle in the “middle” of the fountain where she was already drinking (and I think she tossed some water on herself once or twice, only a little bit, too). Kaia put one foot up on the “wall” and I really thought she might try to climb over, but she thought the better of it. Still too risky. She’ll probably never be as sure-footed as Kami, who used to climb up there and “tightrope walk” along it! On the other hand, if she’s really determined, there’s no telling what she can do! Such naughty babies. If there was a mountain, they’d be climbing the slopes and edging along the narrow ledges! Which ellies do, in the wild. I’m always amazed at how sure-footed they are, although I think some of it is due to their foot-pad[s] being kind of sponge-y and flexible? I know that the foot squashes out in mud so that when they lift it to move on, which takes the weight off of course, it contracts to a smaller size and comes out pretty easily–if it’s normal mud and not that awful kind they sometimes have in Africa… black cotton mud? don’t remember, but even ellies get stuck in it sometimes.
Hi hooman herd,
Nusu here as I’ve been meaning to post a question for several days on the topic of Msholo. Something I’m sure you all have noticed is that our Msholo has had persistent temporal gland secretions (TGS). I haven’t noticed any musth behaviors, but I’m wondering if either: A. He’s really stressed about something and has been for some time, or B. He’s in the early stages of musth. As such, I’d like to ask the monitor if the keepers can share anything about Msholo’s TGS.
Trunk hugs to all!
The Elephant Team replies: Msholo is musthy due to cycling females. This is a very common response for him.
Thanks, Lana. You helped me feel better about what I saw with Mama U. Maybe she has been off or under the weather and that’s why she’s been separated at night…hoping the elephant team will chime in too.
I posted a few links to photos from this morning which I hope will “clear the tower” by tonight. 🙂
Hi, Gawa! Thank you! Hope you’re okay too!
I’m so glad you were able to see the Ingadze-Zuli interaction! Wasn’t it something special?!
I didn’t see the incident with Umngani sitting on the ground. However, years ago, a couple of times when Neepo was still a baby, I saw her lying down and staying down for quite a while. Neepo was very upset both times, poor little guy. (I wondered at the time if he was remembering Umoya and worried about his own mother). However, the first time no one else paid much attention, only Neepo who finally lay down sort of cuddled against her until she got up again. So I was sure that if there were anything serious wrong, the other adults would have been involved. The second time, her own children were worried about her, but again the other elephants didn’t seem to react. I wondered if maybe she had a little colic or something of that nature. Both times, she was up and around normally eventually. I would have been seriously worried about it as I was watching–I was, briefly–then I remembered that it’s all on the cam and the cam operator or someone would surely have notified the Elephant Team if it looked like a major problem. Maybe she’s just really tired, or a hormone imbalance at a certain point after having her calf. I can’t remember for sure but I think Neepo was about the same age as Kaia is now, which might suggest something to do with something post-partum at a certain point in her natural cycle? I found it very touching and interesting when you said that Msholo was nudging her encouragingly. He’s such a sweet bull. And so handsome, too! 😉
Jewel, I wonder what was going on with Ndula?! Could she have been chasing Luti, not Ingadze, with the idea of giving him some “discipline” for doing something bad? Whatever it was, clearly the other ellies thought it wasn’t justified or that she needed soothing to settle her down–or both.
Marula, I loved reading about Neepo and Zuli! Just so wonderful to see how loving Neepo (“my baby”) is. He was always so sweet with Nisa when she was a baby, too. I remember how astonished he was to see an elephant smaller than him (he was only about a year old and used to being “the runt of the litter” with the other boys all a couple of years or more older). Swazi was very protective of Nisa so it was several days before she let Neepo touch her baby. He was so hesitant as he reached to touch her (I don’t know if that was the very first time she’d allowed it, but certainly very nearly the first) as if he was afraid to hurt her and she’d shatter like spun glass, just the tiniest gentlest touches with his trunk-tip. Later when he’d play with her sometimes, he’d let her pretend she was “the bigger elephant” putting her tiny trunk on his head, or if she was pushing him and pretending she actually managed to shove him. I love seeing him play with her now, remembering how they were when they were the littlest ones. Of course back then he’d rather play with “the big boys” but I think that was also why he was so good with her, he could empathize with being “odd man out.”
Please see my earlier post from today…
Link to screen grabs of brothers tussling: https://imgur.com/gallery/uewVmuC
A link to an image of Umngani on the ground with Kaia’s trunk on her: https://imgur.com/gallery/WwMGh9s
Happy Monday, all you hoomans!
So happy to hear from you, Lana! Hope all is as well as can be expected in your world these days. Also so glad you’ve been enjoying the M’Sholo/Kaia trunk bumping video! 🙂 I love that post too. One little secret, the 2nd video where she’s resting on the ground took place BEFORE the trunk bumping, which I believe she needed to “power up” for!
And thanks for telling the Zuli / Gadze tussle story. I screen grabbed it this morning because I was so excited to see it as well! Marula — so sweet about the Neepo and Zuli brotherly love scene….sorry I missed it. I didn’t start watching until around 6:40 am Pacific time.
And I’m curious If anyone else saw Umngani just sitting on the ground for a bit this morning? I didn’t see what happened before it but I saw the tail end when she slowly got up and then M’Sholo was kind of gently nudging her forward. It was really weird and all her kids were around her… stressed me out a bit. Both esampu and me noticed that she’s been separated with Kaia at night again…?
About 6: 30 am in Escondido, I saw Neepo lying down near the small fountain and Zuli was with him. He just wanted to take a rest there but the baby boy wanted to play (?) or maybe giving him caresses and rumbling a lullaby. Touching his thick white tusk many times and behind his ear. Zuli even grabbed Neepo’s ear tip and tried to lift it up. Heavy! Then, Neepo half got up, still on his belly. He stayed like that for a while so that he and Zuli were the same eye level ( height ). Gazing at each other. So cute! Neepo is a very sweet brother.
Lana, here comes the little friends, hurrying to join the celebration💐🐿🦌
Everyone is happy for you!😄
Welcome Back, Lana in the East!!!
I missed you here 🐝❤️ This is the lucky bells ringing to let everyone know you are back! 🔔🌟
and here are happy little friends came to celebrate with us 🐘🐌🐹🐭🦅🐞🦎🦋…..many more.
Finally! I hope! Knock on wood! It’s no use even thinking about trying to catch up on comments, only to thank everyone for their posts which helped me survive in my “exile.” 🙂
I do have something to say about today. Two somethings, in fact!
First of all, early this morning I saw Ingadze playing with Zuli! (Pretty certain Zuli, not Kaia.) I was so surprised and so happy! Zuli was in Seventh Heaven! Ingadze let him go through most of the push-pull-trunk motions (as much as that tiny trunk could do anything) and gently kept the little guy in a slow but happy retreat. ‘Gadze played like that with Zuli for a couple of minutes, he was so sweet to the “baby.”
Secondly, I actually–gasp!–saw Kaia lying down napping! Not for long, needless to say, but I had to look twice to be sure it was Umngani who was standing there with her and not someone else (who would be with Zuli). Then, this was so beautiful, for a minute Umngani placed her trunk lovingly on her little daughter’s body and just left it lying there, her own head canted downwards a little as if she were dozing herself. She then moved her trunk over and had it resting in “nap-mode” on the ground. Khosi came and Kaia got up and went off with her while Umngani stood there quietly by herself. I had to leave so I don’t know what else may have happened.
Gawa, I don’t know how many times I watched that Msholo-Kaia trunk-bump video. I love it so!
Marula, I did see the Umngani brothers that day! I was so thrilled to see them together, playing so affectionately with each other. Thanks for wondering, little busy bee!
Hello everyone! I’m still trying to post–been unable for almost two weeks! If I “get through” this time, I’ll write an actual comment shortly!
Mabu Sundzu Nandi pooling again. 9:40am it’s already hot in Tucson
Caught Zuli and Kaia yesterday in pool for a few seconds and then they were out.
I just watched Ndula chasing another elephant. I think it was Ingaze . Suddenly a group of elephants (Swazi, Khosi, Nisa, and babies) hurried over and surrounded her while Ingaze rushed behind the stone structure. I don’t know if they were in protection mode or calming her down. They stayed together as they walked across the yard away from the stone structure. This is something I have not observed before. Maybe she is ready to have him leave the group since he is the oldest male left
Mabu, Sundzu and Nandi are in pool at Reid. 10:30am
Trunk hello to Gawa and JB!
Yes, I did watch them!
I was so happy that I finally got to see ellies pool party 😁
Gawa, the bigger one was Gadze and the smaller one was his baby brother, Neepo:-) Big splash and snorkelling together 🐘🐘💦💦 Hershey’s chocolate 😋
I hope Lana saw that as well because she really loves the Umngani brothers❤️🐿
Hi Gawa
I watched those two for it seemed like an hour or more. They’re definitely gonna be tired, but they sure were
having a really good time.
So was that Luti and Gadzi going at it in the pool this past hour (now 4:35 Pacific) or Gadzi and ???
Whoever the poor smaller one is they are going to need a long nap! I think the water must be wonderful for supporting their weight and gives them a strength or leverage boost. Anyone else see it??
Growing up, i used to crave a Hershey’s chocolate bar after “playing” in the water that long with my siblings. 🙂
YAY!! Finally was able to view a pool party! So wonderful to see the youngsters being so playful and them watching out for the babies too. Did anyone else see Keeper Evan come and turn the water on?? And was that Swazi that went into the blast like she was taking a shower? It seemed like they were all called out (like a drill?) before she went and enjoyed the water massage??
Thanks for the I.D. of Neepo, Marula! He’s such a little cutie and quite a Mr. Independent too.
Great camera work during the pool party! Thank you, cam operator!
Big pool party going on! 12:41
Trunk hello at Gawa! Re: ID-ing the young ellie on your screen grab, that’s Neepo❤️🐝 I’m waiting for the big pool party, too! Are we invited? We might get swamped if we joined in.🐘💦😉
Gawa, I was just watching again the video of Kaia doing the trunk-bump with Msholo. That’s the best thing you really wished to see? I was so excited for you. And thank you so much for sharing with us. Later on, I went on the blog here to see if anyone was up. Then I found you!
Dear friends, we all are syncing, connected to some way and one another.
That IS magic🌟 Absolutely!
Forgot to say thank you about my little sunflower+ellie avatar that Nusu made for my Insta acct, Marula. I knew you’d identify the source. 🙂
Oh and I want to live on a street lined with beautiful jacaranda trees! They MUST be magic….🌟
Saw some musical food boxes this morning and really dislike seeing the pecking order at work when the younger Ellie’s are involved (not the babies)… 🙁
Can anyone help me identify the youngster (elephant) in these photos? https://imgur.com/gallery/Z4K1Q2j
Still waiting to see a full-on pool party and was very happy to see that they cleaned and refilled the pool today since it’s so hot down there. Thank you, keepers!
Wished I’d seen the Zuli and keeper interaction you described, Marula….sounds soooo very cute! 🙂
Hi everyone! Some funny moments on the cam this morning. Umngani was standing in between Swazi and Msholo. Swazi pushed Umngani out of the way with her tusks to get to Msholo! She started sniffing at him and I imagine, rumbling to him. It was so funny, no one can get between Swazi and her crush.
Kaia and Zuli having great time in pool. 3:45pm
Yay! Trunk waves to Jan and esampu! The jacaranda flower IS working for its magic 🌟The perfume must be so nice, too, because it’s attracting all busy bees here🐝 Who’s up next? Jan, happy weekend on your summer camper! Are there Dame’s rocket flowering in the meadow? I just love them:-)
About 2 pm, I saw Zuli by the smallholding at the upper yard. There was a keeper inside cleaning. He was playing with a little bamboo stick for a while. Then he paused for a second. He started peeing and pooing, then at the same time he curled up his trunk high, still holding the stick. Wow! Three things at the same time?! I was astonished by it. The kepper noticed too and quickly hurried to come closer. She stood up face to face with him and gave the baby big applause. Then, she put her arms up shaking her fists, just like a cheerleader with her pom-poms or a musician with her maracas. It was a big cheering and encouragement for him. Wait for what happened to the next! He stood up only with his back feet with his trunk still up sky high!!! It was the action of only a few seconds. I tried to screen grabbed it, but no luck. I remember, Lana was talking about this long time ago. Zuli standing up without any support(Kaia or a feed ball) only with his back feet. I finally saw it!
After that, he went the bar fence and put his trunk out to reach her. So did she. The keeper gave him a good scratch. His tail was swishing crazy with happiness. Nisa came to join them as well from the fountain. Zuli was so happy that he wanted to share his emotions, so he gave Nisa caressing.
Zuli ( Kaia, too) IS so blessed to have more than one mother, Ndula but “hooman-mother/s” as well! (and dads)
Who loves him unconditionally as equal as his birth mother.
Thank you to the cam operators for their great efforts.
I am so happy to be able to witness the beautiful relationships every day.
A HIGH trunk wave to all my hooman Friends!
I’ve been crazy busy at work, and then the weekends at our summer camper. I did catch Msholo stretching for browse yesterday morning 6/6. Mama U was present with Khosi, they were hoping to catch some crumbs of what he stole from the tree on the other side of the barrier. I have pictures and video if anyone missed it. And a BIG thank you to the cam operator for staying with it, it was so sweet to see.
Gotta run, wishing you all a great day of Ellie watching. (I’ll have to catch up with the posts later, that is if I can)
I believe Khosi and one of the older boys are in the pool, having a blast (7.50 PST)! They’ve been rolling around and snorkeling for quite a bit. I love watching them dramatically fall to the side. Msholo’s been hanging out on the steps watching. Two other ellies are sparring and rough housing right outside the pool. The guests are riveted, all lined up by the fence. It’s great to see Khosi so playful, she’s splashing in the pool right now with her legs. What a wonderful evening for the herd.
Marula, thank you. Those jacaranda trees are so lovely. And indeed, I’ve been a busy bee planning. The big day is coming up so soon and there is so much to do. But I still make time for my ellies!
I did see a mini pool party last night! It was around 7.30 PST, the sun was coming down, and there were guests there. The camera was on default mode, so the pool was far away, but I could still see one ellie rolling around in the water. There were a few others at the edge, watching, not brave enough to jump in.
Wow! Jacaranda trees are in full bloom! I didn’t know that until just now when the cam showed the far view from the elephant Valley. There are a couple of them standing at the background where the main gate is. So beautiful in lilac! I’ve never seen them in person.
Do you know the symbolism of the tree? It’s wisdom, rebirth, wealth and good luck. If the flower falls on your head, it means good fortune for you. Just imagine you are walking under the trees hoping that a flower falls on you? Just magical. A trunk up for “good luck” and big rumbles to everyone! I hope you all will have a nice day!
esampu, you’ve been missed a lot🙂 I’m happy too that Luti is a lot calmer and behaving himself these days. You must’ve been so busy, confetti of the jacaranda flowers on your head for the bright future! It’s almost there for the special day, next month?💐🐘🐘🎉
JB, now, I saw the jacaranda flowers, maybe I get to see the pool parties and mud bathing, anything exciting? 🐘💦
Lana, wish the tree were “walking tree” 🐿 so that they could come and visit you since you live in a cold climate. Too much babbling and daydreaming?❤️🐝
Gawa, I love what you do on the SDZSP # pachyderm pairs Instagram. I love all the videos with your narration. Please keep it up:-)And your Zuli holding up a sunflower 🌻 is fantastic!
Northern California, I hope those beautiful lilac colours ( do they have nice perfume?) will bring you some peaceful moment. Soft rumbles from me.
Jan, I really look forward to seeing you soon. I’m holding the jacaranda flower up high. Fingers crossed, too🌟
Trunk wave to everyone! I’ve been falling behind on my duties as morning scribe 🙂
I’ve not been able to catch any pool parties on the Reid Park cam, every time I tune in, they’re far away.
This morning I did see poor Zuli trying to get Kami or Nisa to play with him. He kept going back and forth between them trying to entice them into a pushing game. The girls were more interested in hugging him. I did see him attempt to “nurse” from one of the girls jut like Jan described.
I hadn’t seen any drama between Umngani and Luti as of late but I did see some shoving underneath the “Stonehenge” in the big yard between them this week. Umngani was trying to eat some treats hung from the rocks and Luti shoved her, which caused Umngani to slam into Khosi. He does seem to be behaving for the most part, these days.
Zuli having good ole time in mud pile
I haven’t seen pool party last few days in Tucson, I think they’re partying earlier as the keepers start @ 6:00am.
But looks calm today at sdzp they’re in slow mode. Babies are really growing. Been keeping eye on Sela the baby Siamang,
She’s such a trooper for being premature, so tiny at 7+ months.
Hi, JB! I still haven’t managed to see the pool parties in Tucson…
Marula, what a beautiful story! How’s my little busy bee tonight? So much harmony lately among our ellies, isn’t it wonderful?
“Hello” rumbles to Northern California and everyone…
I’m behind here again!
I did see something a day or two ago that I’ll try to tell, even though it was brief. When I tuned-in, one of the calves was lying on the ground half-under Khosi (I think)–when the little one reached up its trunk to touch her chin, I knew from being so affectionate it must be Zuli. (It was–Ndula came later.) Then Zuli lay down all the way looking ready to conk out for his nap. Khosi began dusting herself in an almost dreamy way, as if she were half-asleep too. Too much dust for Zuli, he half got up, turned the other way so his behind was where his face had been and his face was out of the danger zone beyond Khosi’s behind, and lay there sacked-out, with his trunk stretched out a bit and his mouth half-open. Every so often, he would move his trunk around a little, sometimes starting to scoop up some dirt and deciding it was just too much work after all. He’d move his legs a bit as if he might be thinking of getting up. Nah, that was too much work, too! Flop his nearly limp trunk around a little, move his legs a little, but all of it slow-motion, obviously no intention of going anywhere or even playing in the dust. He did seem to doze off some of the time with his mouth open as if he were snoring softly. Khosi started dusting again and he wiggled some more but didn’t go anywhere. I couldn’t stay but the last time I saw him he had his ear flipped over to shade his head!
Oh, and the other day–maybe this same day–Kami wanted one of the babies to do the “pretend nursing” thing–they’re getting too big to go under her properly for that and she tried to entice the baby to come and “nurse” (you’ll love this–talk about intelligence? wow)… by putting one of her feet up on a food-box so that it was forward the way the mothers and sitters do, but also raised up higher so easier to reach now from “underneath!” I was amazed! It wasn’t a coincidence, she did it a couple of times, she really wanted to play “mommy” very badly. No luck. The real mommy came along and won the competition. I’m sorry, I can’t remember which calf it was and don’t seem to have a screen-print to jog my memory!
Trunk hello to everyone.
Just before 9:00 am PDT, I saw Kaia came to Ndula and Zuli, who were eating hay at that time. Shortly after, Umngani arrived. When Kaia joined them, she went straight to the feed box, which Ndula was eating from! Mama N didn’t mind it at all, she let the baby have it all by herself:-) and started eating from the ground, so was Zuli. Mama U saw that ( “Oh, my!”)she quickly pushed the box twice and gently “handed” it over to Mama N. In return, Mama N put her trunk into Mama U’s mouth, thanking her. I was so pleased to see their kind gestures.
Then, Zuli took the hay box all by himself! “Haha! It’s mine now.” Did he want to copy Kaia?
A moment later, Zuli walked to Umngani and grabbed her magnificent tusk with a bit of both affection and admiration. So nice to see the two Mamas spending their peaceful time together. All thanks to their beautiful children.
A soft rumbles to Northern California, I hope this story will make you happy.
JB-Darn it!😩 I just missed the party by only 20 minutes, tho I had a perfect outfit on. Fingers crossed for the next time. Thanks for the heads up!
By a little party crasher.💃🏻🎉
Marula 10:15 Tucson time. Mabu and Sundzu pool partying
Hahaha, JB, the cyberspace monster 🐙 played you up!
But yay! for me though, because I got the compliment twice!
Thank you😊
Whoops came across twice
Marula you told it so much better tho! Was fun watching.
Marula you told it so must better tho! It was fun watching.
Zuli and Kaia were at the fountain, they seemed have found the perfect bed for themselves, so warm and fluffy.
“Mine!” “No, it’s mine, Kaia!!” They started to push each other, wrestling on it and throwing his/her body at it. What a mess!
After a while of tackling and rolling like chipmunks, they found the better solution. They decided to lay down on the bed together, spooning each other ♥️
They didn’t mind that it was a little stincky.
Sharing IS so nice.🐌🐝
I know the “bed” once belonged to Khosi…
I just checked before I send it…oh no, JB you spoiled it for me🤣 wasn’t it such fun to see those silly munchkins? Yes! that was Khosi’s poo poo.
Kaia and Zuli are playing again in dirt pile. Earlier they played in dirt and dung pile.
I can imagine the smell!
xoxo to you, too Marula! I’m glad you caught the pool party – I only got to see a few minutes of it. The boys were having a great time!
Last night, the cam was not in the usual spot. The cam operator left it on a spot near the pool and there were no lights making it hard to see as there usually are. I was able to clearly see Ndula and Zuli for a little bit (around 10pm PST). Zuli laid down to sleep while Ndula ate. Eventually, Ndula walked away, Zuli got up and sniffed the logs for a little bit and then ran in the direction Ndula went (maybe she rumbled for him to come join her). It was so lovely.
Right now, the cam is on the hill in the big yard by the stone shelter. It’s a boys-only space with Msholo, Luti, and Gadze! All the ladies must be on the other side of the yard.
Gawa, please don’t blame yourself for the mourning doves. I assure you that it’s not your fault at all.
Nature shows you very cruel things sometimes but there are always different windows waiting for you to see something utterly beautiful, Zuli and Kaia for example.
Hello to everyone! About 14: 00 in Escondido
The cam operator showed us the pool party this afternoon. After Neepo and Luti got out of the water to do more spar. Gadze stayed there all by himself and enjoyed the bath. I saw him snorkeling, only the tip of his trunk was showing.
Then, he did something a bit silly.
He faced himself to the BIG audience of “little” people who were so happy and curious. All of a sudden, he did “mock-charge” at them, BOO!!!,spraying at them some water! ( though didn’t get to them, I hope it did😜)
Whoa!😲 they got a surprise and backed off a little.
I was chuckling too, so was Gadze, I bet. I know that ellies do that sometimes just for fun. Though, surely he made the little hoomans jump.
Soon after, the two boys came back and all did spar at each other. Luti and Neepo, first who accidentally slipped and kneeled down. But his big brother quickly backed him up and the game became “two to one”, the Umngani brothers vs Luti. Oh, boy! Everything with Luti involved, always gets so BIG in action!
Later on, I saw Luti again at the lower yard, munching fresh leaves near by a giant ball with a big tree stump attached. There were also piles of grey rockes right behind them as a background view. After Luti left off the screen, the cam stayed still. ??? Then, suddenly the rock came alive! Wiggled a bit and moved backwards.
Oh my goodness, Zuli. There you were! You little chameleon, camouflaging himself!!!
Looking at the Escondido Elephants Spur, there are full of wows and wonders which keep opening our hearts of the windows! Thank you to our ellies, the keepers, the cam operators and our kind-hearted Blog Monitor for the amazing experience!
Gawa, before I send this to the cyberspace, I just checked the comments area… there you were Gawa!!! I’m so happy to see you😄 and wowed me that not only you saw the pool part but you talked about “mock-charge” (Zuli) too! Were we exchanging our telepathic-thoughts to each other!?
Thanks for all the videos and photos of Zuli and Kaia. I’m a big follower of yours at SDZSP # Instagram! And I want to thank Nusu as well for the video of Supercut of “Zany Zuli” moments! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’d never seen Zuli mouthing Kaia’s tail. 🥰 Thank you so much.
A Big trunk-waves💦 to Northern California.
Soft rumbles to my Lana.
A big cheers for our Superwoman, Jan!!!
xoxo to Esampu❤️🐝
Close to 80 degrees in Escondido today so happy to see a few of the boys were enjoying the pool and then saw an ellie that I thought was M’Sholo but must have been Luti (he looked huge!) mount one of the boys which may have embarrassed him a bit in front of what became a crowd watching the boys continue to tussle and cool off.
Cool photos, Jan, thank you for sharing!
I loved that video of the Denver ellies, esampu! Those boys are adorable and so cool to see the behind-the-scenes action. We can’t wait to start seeing the same when the Animal Planet show of SDZ starts airing!
Marula, you are so very kind and am sending a trunk hug with this post. Thank you for sharing the Kaia in the water and Keeper Evan stuff. I think I saw him offering water from the hose to Luti (?) by the gate while he was in the area between the 2 hydraulic gates. I was surprised none of the other ellies joined in the fun. Drinking fresh water from a hose as a kid used to be one of my favorite things to do on hot summer days back in Chicago. 🙂 Also, no worries about the mix up about the eggs…our post was a bit confusing. And, yes, very sad to say, the eggs are still unprotected and we haven’t seen the doves since the last time we wrote… 🙁 I can’t help thinking we are partially at fault for going out there too much when we first spotted the one sitting in the basket. They often sit in the nearby tree watching and probably perceived the area as unsafe or too hard to protect.
Lana, we share the same type of heart b/c yes I was completely devasted…. I wish I’d seen Zuli mock charge the deer with his little ears flared out — I love when they do that.
Back to the ellies….I posted the cutest videos of the two babies snug as bugs in a rug in the perfect-for-them-sized hole in the dirt. At first, when the awesome cam operator zoomed in, they were just laying there next to each other creating the perfect grey mound seemingly at peace. Then they started snuggling and smooshing each other before Kaia wiggled her way on top of Zuli for bit and then she got up and went her own way.
Esampu, I just read your comments; the boys are always together – I have never seen them apart when I go to the zoo.
It brought me into tears. What a beautiful thing! Thank you so much for telling us that and your beautiful comments every day. It also reminded me of Emanti and Mac as well and so many others…, Always together. That’s the key.
Also, I know there was chatter a while ago about the Birmingham Zoo. It looks like Callee, their 18 year old was moved to Omaha. These days, I just count the elephants in the yard when they are all together. It’s only a matter of time before some of the other boys leave. Luckily, we get Zuli for a while 🙂
Marula and Lana, so happy you enjoyed the video of the boys at Denver Zoo! I loved seeing the buckets full of treats, they remind me of the buckets that our Escondido herd gets every day. I did also love the bit about spraying different parts of the enclosure with essential oil smells, I never even thought of that as a way to keep the environment interesting. Marula, the boys are always together – I have never seen them apart when I go to the zoo.
This morning, something must have spooked little Zuli (or Kaia?) because I saw Khosi, Ndula and Umngani forming a protective circle around one of the babies. I only tuned in when they were already in formation so I didn’t see what happened. I only saw the baby when Khosi moved. I couldn’t tell who it was.
Have a wonderful day, everyone … can’t believe it’s already Thursday!
Lucky Diane S! You’ll have to tell us all about it when you visit them!
I will have to go see them! I live in TX now. I was very happy to see that they were moved together.
Oh my, funny fingers played me up again. I have no clue what “looairline” means just next to 77F. Sorry, I’ll give them a scolding.
Here’s for Gawa and everyone.
I saw Keeper Evan came to the gate between and call Kaia and Umngani. Although the cam didn’t quite show him, I did see Kaia especially put her little trunk outside of the bar fence to touch him.
Mum and her daughter went to the pool and get some drink but Kaia couldn’t resist going into the water. Oh, yes. Water makes elephants happy! She wiggled her head in the water to make splashes and moved her front foot just like the way she does to dig up soil. I’m sure she made some squeaky noises amusingly. She sunk her body into the water. So at first, it looked like there was a little rock but thanks to the operator, soon the cam did show the close-ups. I checked the temperature in Escondido, it’s 77 F. It looairline today is nice and breezy. Kaia was having such a blast all by herself in the pool. When Umngani decided to leave, she was quickly out of the pool. She went to one of the tree logs to scratch her bottoms, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle… ( that was when she met up with her Keeper Even) Umngani was heading to the stone shelter to get some food and Kai trotted away hurting to keep up with her mama. On her way, she stopped a few times between to scratch her front foot, then back foot as well and off she went! Funny, Itchy-Scratchy-Baby.
Aren’t we all spoiled by Jan and Esampu today?
Jan, I did go and fetch your photos! Thank you so much! Wow, Kami is so amazing, trunk bumping with Zui? ( I hope it was him, finally found his trunk-bumping partner )
Esampu, I watched the Denver zoo video too!
Chuck & Jakes are adorable. Awww, their eyes! When they stand next to each other, their heads looks like two hearts side by side.♥️ ♥️
And Groucho’s head looks just like Mt. Fuji when its seen from his sideways.
I even saw a squirrel running!
The two best buddies stormed off inside when they got scared with something. Too cute.They do everything together! Spooning when they sleep 💤, too.
I just melted when I saw Jake(?) standing on top of the “mountain” rock caressing Chuck(?)just bellow him on the ground.
Just as the keeper said that they are most importantly “mentally-cared” with so much love just like the SDZSP ellies. It’s so true that the zoos are run so differently nowadays compared to the horrible ones in the past. I’m so delighted to see that with my own eyes.
I loved it all and it was so fun to watch the keepers in Denver let the enrichment Wheels to decide the specials for the day. I wonder how keepers here choose ones for our ellies. I see different enrichments here every day to keep things interesting for them.
Our ellies as well as Denver ellies are definitely in their happiest wheels at the moment. Life is beautiful.
I feel most content…
Yay!!! \o/ /o\ /o\ My pictures are up, (first post today). I tried to keep them in order, but they didn’t turn out that way, it was late and I was tired, so may have been just me. But you can see one of the Babies trunk bumping the babysitter, and the baby was bumping for it’s worth. Too cute! Msholo way up in the background with his trunk across Swazi at the stone shelter. Swazi reaching to flirt from his side, and the boys wrestling on the hill where the baby and baby sitter join in.
Thanks for looking!
Wow, esampu, GREAT Denver Zoo video! Some “behind the scenes” things so relevant to “our” herd, too. Thanks for the referral! 🙂
I’m way behind again! Miss one day and you’re overwhelmed! 🙂 Lots to read and think about… I’ll lose some of it but try to comment where I can…
I saw Zuli “chase” one of the mule deer yesterday! Well, just give a little charge at it, but she moved pretty quickly to avoid any possible contact, and the next time I saw her she was on the other side of the fence. Zuli was so funny, right after he “sent her packing,” he stood there with his ears flared out, trying to look fierce: “Don’t mess with ME, bad deer!” (She was probably thinking: “Never a moment’s peace with these naughty little ones lately! It was so quiet with all the elephant children older now, and suddenly this rude awakening with not one but TWO noisy babies stomping around!”)
esampu, if you’re referring to the “red mesh” that I think you are–I’m guessing it may be a brush from a car-wash, for scratching and enjoying touching the texture–they have at least one at TES for that purpose. Maybe our Monitor can tell us for sure? Naturally right now when I want a closer look, they’re not in that area with the cam… I’m going to have a look at that Denver Zoo video as soon as I have a chance, thanks for telling us about it!
Hello, Jan, how is one of my favorite hoomans doing? Hoping we’ll get a chance to see those photos! And I’ll have a look at the ones you listed already, below. So Swazi and Msholo are possibly courting? And I loved hearing about one of the babysitters doing trunk-bumps with one of the babies–I’d guess it was Kami and Zuli but I could be wrong… I’ve seen them do it a couple of times, however. Glad someone older IS doing trunk-bumps and sparring with the babies, the little ones love it so much, and it’s good practice for judging how strong they AREN’T, just yet, too.
Happy rumbles to my busy little bee Marula! Sky and sun and elephants somewhere “below”–unseen but present–a beautiful image to think contemplate.
Nusu, so sad about the doves. Hopefully someone is flying around looking for a mate and they’ll find each other and decide to occupy the old nest. I read that doves can raise up to five clutches per season, so there’s hope you’ll have a proper family yet… I’m eager to see your Msholo painting when it’s completed. And how lucky you were to see Zuli water-painting; that alone is enough to inspire you to get out the brushes! Tell Gawa I’m waving a trunk-hello and sympathizing with her about the dove-trauma; if she’s like me, she’s just feeling devastated about it. Intellectually we know, as you say, “how fragile wildlife is.” But emotionally we just keep saying “No, no, no, no, no!”
Now time for me to see what those “bad babies” are up-to now. 🙂
Morning, everyone – I’m excited to see your photos, Jan!
I had a question for any old timers or the blog monitor. There is a a big pile of red mesh hanging from one of the barriers all the way at the end of the bigger yard, next to the barn. I notice that the herd will sometimes poke their trunks into this mesh. What is this? Is it like a scratching post?
Marula, hello! Girlish, flirtatious Swazi is so fun to watch, isn’t she? This morning, I caught her sleeping standing up! I think she may have even been dreaming. Maybe of Msholo, her crush!
I felt a bit bad for Kami yesterday. She was trying to share a box with Nisa and Nisa wasn’t letting her. Kami kept following Nisa around. Swazi was also there, but she didn’t interfere. Poor Kami, I hope she is feeling okay. It must be tough being the herd orphan :(.
If anyone is interested in seeing video of the Denver Zoo bachelor herd, ABC News has posted a really great video about them, including interviews with keepers! The video doesn’t really show off how nice the enclosure is, alas, but it is still a fun video with some cuteness. You can find it by googling “ABC News follows Denver Zoo’s 2 newest rare Asian elephants as they adjust to life in the Mile High City”
Good morning, hooman herd!
The Ellies are sort of together on the hilltop of the east yard, all doing their own thing. Well, now some are moving on towards the rock shelter.
I posted some pictures last night in my village photo account. Waiting to see if they are approved , and if so, they will pop up sometime today. They are all from yesterday.
Gotta run, have a great day watching our herd!
Gawa+Nusu, Oh, I see. I read carefully again about what Nusu explained about the dove and the eggs. I totally misunderstood it- sorry for my silly comment earlier and I’m so sorry for the abandoned eggs.😢
I uploaded pictures of some of my screenshots from today into my village photo account. I made an album and hopefully it will be easy to view as soon as the monitor passes it through. They are here: http://village.photos/members/lilbea/SDZSP-Elephants-May-28-2019
The photo’s of Kami and baby Ellie does have Swazi in the background with Msholo and there are some pictures of the boys playing where the girls join them.
I need to find a place to post my pictures as I have years and years of the Ellies, even when Nisa was little and Musi was there. And plenty of videos too. Which I can use Vimeo for those. If the village photo works out, I may use it as I’m sure our newbies would love to see our Ellies back in the day.
Wow! I just tuned in the cam at 15:00 pm. The screen was showing only pale blue! It took me a while to figure out that the cam operator was showing us the beautiful sky of Escondido! Sun is shining over our sweet ellies. What a wonderful day!
Trunk-hello to everyone!
JB, how cute you described the early morning Pool party!💦 You got me smiling😄 Thank you. I’ll try tuning in to see them swimming, fingers crossed.
Jan, how happy to see you here! \o//o\\o/! How did I do, good? Kami or Nisa playing spar with the baby and doing some good trunk-bumps WAS absolutely thrilling to hear!
Much appreciated:-)And also thank you in advance for the screenshot you’ll share with us, which most likely will be falling from the cyberspace later on, maybe tomorrow?, I will be watching the sky and ready to catch that myself!✨
Esampu, I know! It’s so lovely to see Swazi being flirtatious with Msholo a lot lately, isn’t it? (in fact that other girls are too!) She does look more young lady to me than “disciplined” matriarch she used to be.(only my impression) Anyhow, it’s a wonderful thing to witness. 🥰
Gawa+Nusu, I’m very sorry to hear that the baby doves will likely to have the only parent. Can we still have our hopes up though? He may return. But Mama dove seems to be very strong and “grounded” on the nest. She and her babies will be more than fine since they’ve been under the close
watch of the kind-hearted hoomans 😊
Awww, ❤️ please keep us in updated on re: the future flower basket aka the Lovey Dovey nest. I hope they will love spending their summer there, “5 stars luxurious hotel” and reuse it for the next season!
Nusu, it’s so great to hear that you’re about to do the painting of Msholo and at the same day, the cam operator did the super close ups of him and showed us. And then, you saw Zuli doing the water painting by the pool, too! WOWSERS 🤩! Can you see this amazing links? I do!!! Hope you’ll kindly share your painting with us on your SDZSP Instagram in the future, please!
Trunk-hugs to Lana🐝❤️🐿
Soft rumbles to my dearest friend, Northern California, I miss you very much…🐋💕
Hi, Jan! I have noticed that Msholo and Swazi are spending more time together as well. She was very coy this morning! She saw him further up the hill and walked close to him, but not next to him. I imagine they may have been rumbling to each other. What a little minx she is. I love it, love seeing Swazi be somewhat playful.
I caught the branch party yesterday, little Kaia and Zuli were besides themselves. They couldn’t quite get get the hang of carrying the branches, it was too funny.
Right now, Luti (i think?) and Khosi are sharing a feeder ball. We have a nice close-up view, too. Khosi keeps rubbing her eyes, I hope it’s not too dry there today! Thanks, cam operator!
Wow, what a morning! Have to make this quick, I have to get back to work so here it goes.
Is that Swazi, pitching woo with Msholo this morning? They are spending a lot of time together this morning. They’re up on a path above the pool nearer to the rock shelter in the east yard. Another Ellie (possibly Kami) came along while Swazi and Msholo play spar and flirt. I don’t know who the other Ellie is, at first I thought Khosi but then saw the 3rd party had two tusks. Lots of flirting going one with Msholo and Swazi.
Then Kami or Nisa, (?) was browsing and one of the babies wanted to play so whoever the girl was, played spar and the baby was throwing in some good trunk bumps. There was a little tusking the ground by the two. Off behind them, another Ellie, on its front legs and on its knees in the rear climbing up the hill and another Ellie behind trying to play. Then Kami/Nisa and baby meet up with them and a little playing going on with the other two.
I got some adorable screenshots of the baby underneath the babysitter’s trunk and other festivities this morning. (I will try to share later) I can’t tell who’s who when the cam is far away, so maybe someone from my hooman herd seen this and can identify them for you.
What a great morning back to norm from the long holiday weekend.
5:15am Tucson time Sundzu took 20 minutes to finally get Nandi to join him in the pool!
Nearly every day they pool party early.
Hi Lana and Marula (and the rest of Hooman herd),
Thanks for the kudos again for my photography chops. I am so envious of all who saw those extreme-close-ups of Msholo, the camera operator was certainly channeling me based on what you all described. Msholo has been on my mind a lot this weekend because I intend to start a painting of him this week.
Marula – Gawa and I thank you so much for the kind words re: the mourning doves we’ve been experiencing. Unfortunately they’re teaching us another lesson on how fragile wildlife is. It’s been 48 hours since a dove sat on the eggs. Today we had a dove sitting on our railing, but I have a theory that it’s one of the parents looking for a new mate since we never saw two doves in the nest at the same time. Doves mate for life, so something tragic must have happened to one of them and the abandoned eggs make it even more sad. One factoid we did learn is that the surviving parent will very likely reuse the nest for the next round of eggs. Per your reco, we will place some flowers in the basket next time around.
Earlier today, Gawa and I watched the thunder buddies who appear to have reached a peace accord. We say this because it was clear that Zuli was about to mount her and something happened (did she make a rumble, or did she give him a warning squeak?). It pretty cute, but very clear that no wrestling was welcomed at that particular time. So then Zuli wandered over to the pool and did some drinking and water painting on the bottom step.
Trunk-hello to Lana! 🐿I bet the baby was feeling the fresh green leaves trickling his/her feet and maybe stomping them giggling, too? The fresh smell of leaves would be so nice since I’m in autumn here and winter is just around the corner, dreaming about the early summer:)🌼🐝
I saw Umngani gazing at a deer who was eating hay from an ellie’s feed box!
Gawa, a long time ago when I heard your mourning doves who were sitting on the tree with sorrow, I was very worried about you. But here we are! Just as seeing the happy little kids with Emanti and Mac at the Caldwell Zoo, I see your happy face now with Mama, dove and her two little eggs! And they’ve got the cosiest nest in the entire world! which is actually the flower hanging basket! How lovely! They are sitting on the sun-warmed bed. Gawa, you made us feel very warm inside as well🌞 Thank you.
I just imagined something amusing, perhaps you can add some colours to the basket for them, maybe violets and dandelions? But as soon as hungry babies hatch, they will eat all up…
I’m so delighted that you all are having such a peaceful moment together.🕊
JB, I saw that, too! Giant Msholo enlarged even more!
Lana, I thought exactly the same thing! — Is the Cam operator HIM? Someone we know who’s excellent at his photography and gentle as Msholo. And he’s got the coolest wife! Hmmm, I wonder…
Lana, I saw that! Msholo was right in your face close ups. Very nice.
Around 5:00 Eastern–fantastic camera operator! Close-ups of Msholo like you’ve never seen him before. I wonder if the cam operator is someone we know?!
JB, sorry you missed the “stomping on leaves!” Maybe next time…
Lana, Darn I missed the baby stomping on the pile of leaves. I bet that was fun to see. They do all seem to be happy today.
Full tummies for everyone.
Hi, JB, wasn’t it wonderful to see how happy they are with the branches? I love it, too, when they toss branches or hay or anything like that over their backs, they’re clearly having so much fun–it just spills over to whoever is watching them and makes you smile without even stopping to think about it! Did you see how one of the babies was stomping all over a pile when they first came down into the lower yard? Just like a little kid in autumn leaves although fresh leaves must be even better because they’d smell good as well as be softer underfoot!
Marula, my little busy bee, I wish I’d seen the whole story with Msholo and Nisa! I wonder what that was all about? The ellies do seem to be more settled lately, I hope that continues. I loved the “golden hour” with Msholo and Swazi.
esampu, Umngani is smaller than any of the other females, she always has been. Ndula was always biggest/tallest, bigger than Swazi even. She does have a bit of post-baby tummy lately, I thought so too, but gosh, after four of them, no wonder!
Gawa, I didn’t know about the Facebook video, I’m headed there next! And I’m thrilled for you about the doves! 🙂
I love the way they wear leafy greens and branches on their backs and heads.
They’re all just eating and enjoying themselves.
Can’t believe Kaia is 8 months old today. She’s really growing and so cute.
Esampu, thank you so much for telling us about Msholo sparring with Nisa. I’m delighted to hear the very important missing piece. That’s absolutely Incredible! Unbelievable! and Beautiful! I only saw the end bits and thought it was another romancing…But WOW! There were scenes more than that. It was actually a “family” bonding thing, wasn’t it? How wonderful Nisa’s been able to build such trusting relationships with Msholo and she was enjoying the time with him so much. Who wouldn’t be? with such a gentle and caring Giant! But hearing that not all bulls are like him at all, he truly amazes me.
So Swazi took her turn because she was maybe thanking him after he was so sweet and loving to her daughter?
At the end of yesterday afternoon, all thing happened before sunset was just the awe of magical and Memorial day for us!
October it is! I’ll keep it in my mind 😄 (in fact, I’ve already written in October page of my diary; **esampu–Roar and Snore!**
Soft rumbles to our blog monitor and thank you for sending the blog post request up the flag pole!
Hi other hoomans!! A quick commercial break from our elephant programming to tell you something amazing…Remember a few months ago when I mentioned that we were hearing mourning doves near our balcony? Well, guess what?? We’re hopefully going to have 2 baby doves in a hanging basket on our balcony soon! This has never happened in our almost 4 yrs in this place. You can see the mama dove sitting on her nest here: https://imgur.com/gallery/DCiECA4 (Nusu is posting some additional and very close up pix on his Insta too.)
Esampu, we are SO excited for you guys to be going to a R&S in Oct! I couldn’t remember if I’d mentioned that we were going to do that when we initially booked our Apr trip but then when we cancelled it (post PAWS freak out) and then rebooked it there were no more “bed” cabins available. 🙁 Can’t wait to hear about your experience!
Did anyone else see the cute birthday boys video Caldwell posted on Facebook? It actually made me feel a bit better about Emanti and Mac’s situation because you can see and feel all the love being sent their way. It’s probably on their site too.
Marula – too funny about Zuli’s poop fest and only wish we’d seen it too.
Wishing all a blessed Sunday!
Marula, I think I saw the same moment as you yesterday with Msholo resting his head on Swazi. What happened before was interesting: Msholo was sparring with Nisa of all people! Swazi was following closely and even physically put herself in the middle of the two at one point. They then walked over to the gate, which was closed. Msholo and Nisa stood there for a while, intertwining trunks and occasionally pushing each other. Then, Swazi took Nisa’s place. While all of this was happening, Zuli was attempting to spar with one of the big kids. It was very cute. The bigger elephant did humor him and played with him for a while. Unfortunately, I couldn’t tell who the other ellie was :(.
Speaking of playing, Kaia had an incredible time today running in and out of the rock shelter in the small yard. She had her ear spread and her little tail sticking up. It was so adorable. Zuli was off to the side with Mama, naturally.
Oh, and we are going to go to Roar and Snore in October 🙂
Oops a daisy, I misspelled Msholo’s name. How could I?
Lana, it was absolutely “Priceless” to see Zuli today (I haven’t been able to see ellies for a long enough) as if I “won” a lottery or a gold medal myself! Also I was able to see the whole thing of patient Ndula and Zuli who stayed for another hard-“won”mouthful himself! He’s just so funny to be around;-)
(It happened just before when the camera was set on its default mode)
Soft rumbles to everyone,
The elephants have soaked up the sun, those luminous bodies—.
Maholo laid his trunk over Swazi’s head ever so gently. As she accepted his tenderness, she laid hers over his head harmoniously, too.
Now we were refrained from seeing the slow-motion dance,
the last moment of the golden hour ends…
esampu, that’s wonderful about your upcoming visit to the Park!
Jan, yes, “one by one.” Every one that we save is a victory. It’s easy for people to say “but it’s just one…” Enough “just one’s” and you’ve saved an entire family or herd. I get weepy about it all sometimes, too–seeing people at their best does that to me.
Gawa, thanks for the screen-print! I had a couple but that wasn’t one of them. (I just have to keep clicking and then open the window to paste, so I lose things, which is especially frustrating if I see something great just as I’m clicking the window for the former “grab,” which I’d gladly sacrifice to get the better one, but–too late!)
To our dear Monitor, thank you so much for talking to the team about doing a blog series about the boys’ move like the one we had about Musi! We’ll hope…. 🙂
Marula, Zuli and his dung-shower/bath must have been priceless to see! The babies are so funny when they do that, and they look SO pleased with themselves, the “little stinkers” (in both senses of the word: mischievous and smelly!)–I can just see the panda-eye! Trunk-hug to you!
JB, I wish I’d seen Mabu and Sundzu in the pool!
Northern California, sending soft rumbles.
I only saw a little on the cam today–Zuli and Ndula were sharing a food-ball. She was very patient with him. They alternated reaching into it–except when he was determined to get something he couldn’t reach so he stuck the whole length of his trunk, right up to his mouth where of course he couldn’t fit any further and stayed that way struggling to reach. But she’d just curl her trunk a little and rest it on the edge of the ball and wait until he had a bit of hay and pulled his trunk out. He just seemed really happy about “eating like a grown-up” and every-so-often he’d reach up and touch her tusk or her mouth before he went on with his snack. She finally moved on but he stayed for another hard-won mouthful before he followed her to the next food-ball. I wonder if she ever got a real meal, herself!
Wow, Zuli is having his best time ever! Dung-party now! And the cam operator did a good close ups for us. 😊
He’s got a panda’s eye and his whole body is wet. Awww, how so adorable! 😍
Esampu, How exciting! Congratulations! I’m so happy for you. Counting days down has begun! Let us know when the date is set, won’t you?
Stop the presses: Nisa is sharing her enrichment ball with Umngani! Swazi has her back turned to them and her own box. I don’t think I’d seen Swazi and Umngani standing this close to each other and Swazi is much taller than her. Umngani looks downright small, or at least more stout. It may be the post-baby tummy.
Nothing super new to report as of late, the herd keeps being the lovely herd. I have noticed many events happening at the park and people there after-hours, even on non Roar and Snore days. I looked through the Instagram tag and there’s many photos of proms, weddings, and even a graduation! How cool for the kids! And the wedding photos look absolutely gorgeous, what a place to get married! My zoo does weddings as well, but the scenery is not quite as epic.
Speaking of Roar and Snore, we’ve booked a trip there! I told my fiancee we must do whatever it takes to get a tent that faces the elephant yard.
JB – so sad I missed the pool party at Reid. I luv watching the YouTube videos of Mabu in the water with the little ones!
So I have a question that I’m hoping the blog monitor can float around the Keeper’s office/team…when might we see a blog post coming from Curtis (or others) similar to the Vus’musi’s Big Adventure, Part 1, 2, and 3 posts that tell the story about Emanti and Mac’s move??
Thanks for passing this question on!
Blog Monitor’s note: I have let them know this would be of great interest. 🙂
Zuli having fun slowly picking the rock pile while his mom eats. All ellies seem very calm and relaxed today.
Mabu and Sundzu have been pool partying for almost an hour at Reid park zoo. They love early morning swimming.
Nandi usually joins in.
Gawa, thanks for the screen grab! How amazing to actually see that after reading Lana’s. Khosi’s loving nature IS bringing ellies and us such a comfort. Also, early in the morning, I think Zuli made a mistake approaching Swazi with her snack! Big no,no. 😅
I saw Swazi and Nisa sharing a hay box together side by side. Nisa carried the box up and faced away from her mum. Swazi didn’t seem to mind it at all, soon continued eating hay from the ground. The moment later, baby Nisa walked towards them. She greeted Nisa, who gave her back hugs and kisses. Right after that, Kaia took the box over from her( not by carrying it, though how she positioned herself to it).
Of course, Nisa let her have it all by herself and started picking hay off from the ground just like Swazi did.
Lana, thank you for the heart-warming share. I’m giving you a hug too!
“Young Reteti bulls will be released into the wild” IS an absolutely wonderful news! It will surely be the celebration seeing three dots in the satellite map which being tracked everywhere they go. And then, soon the three ellies will be exploring amazingly long distances from one place to another! I’m really looking forward to seeing their next HAPPY chapter.😊
Hello hoomans!
Lana, I saw exactly what you described so perfectly and even took a screen grab of Khosi’s hug of Kami towards the end: https://imgur.com/gallery/7TJM08h Was such a sweet show of affection and made me smile on a day when I am still in shock over Botswana’s greed and ignorance. I’m glad Esampu brought it up because it does make me even more grateful for the safety of “our” ellies and all the protected elephants in Kenya.
Jan, I saw that cart too and at first thought it could be major donors but then due to my state of mind today worried that it might be keepers from another zoo looking at their future new addition(s)….hope not but it does seem inevitable that at least Luti’s going to be moving to a different zoo and just hope it isn’t Milwaukee where the winters are miserable.
Early this morning I also saw Swazi and Nisa hoovering up treats together and then when Zuli (I think) came walking up between them (on Swazi’s right side) doing the same, Swazi lifted her front right leg and gave hi a little shove since he was encroaching on their snacks! I yelled, “HEY!” at the screen….
Awwwww, Lana, loved your share about the hugging. So sweet, I pictured it as you described.
I read the new blog on Retiti’s three orphaned bulls. Things like that bring me such joy to read, and sometimes, like today, tears of happiness. Those men, they really have a love for what they do, and the Elephants. One by one, we hope to save our Elephants.
There was a long visit today by some people in the passageway. There was a 6 seater,(?) covered golf cart with some people and I thought early on, I saw Cutis too. Maybe some VIP’s or some lucky folks who paid to have a special visit, I’m not sure what packages are what to obtain the closeness of being in the passageway, where the Ellies can actually walk up to you just feet away. I think my heart would skip a beat if I were to be there.
The Ellies should be moved to the east yard before long as it’s clean, fueled, ready and waiting.
Thank you, Lana! I’m glad there were some positive moments to take in today.
It’s a sad day for African elephants .. the government of Botswana has lifted the elephant hunting ban. It’s really unfortunate, Botswana’s tourism sector has thrived due to their wildlife practices. I wonder if this would have happened if Paul Allen, the American philanthropist and owner of Botswana’s Abu Camp, were still alive. The government of Botswana says that this is necessary due to increased human-elephant conflict and crop-raiding, but there are many organizations attempting to tackle that very real issue without resorting to allowing people to kill them for fun.
I don’t want to take the conversation off-track, but … I’m so glad our herd is safe and sound in San Diego.
Great new blog about the Retiti orphans! Bee sure to see it! (Most will, since if you just hit the Blog ‘key” like I do, it always takes you to the newest one.
I caught a glimpse of something so sweet a little while ago. Khosi and the babysitters and babies were standing at the fence in the lower yard, near the stonehenge. Both babies were close to Khosi, half-hidden by the others ellies. I don’t know which baby was which, I’m sorry to say. But Baby 1 was snuggling, and Khosi trunk-hugged him/her, and then the little one went under and through beneath her chin for one long self-created (except of course Khosi had her trunk ready to do her part) hug as s/he left. Immediately Baby 2 went through exactly the same process, get hugged and then “through the tunnel” and away! It was just so adorable to see the “rerun.” I imagined another 3 or 4 babies all doing the same thing like a production-line at a factory: Khosi the love-conveyor-belt. Plus at one point Khosi rested her trunk on either Nisa or Kami for a hug before she lifted it–as did one of the others–to sniff the air. It was quite a love-fest! So heart-warming to see.
Checking in, it’s 7:15 here and no can operator as of yet. Pretty soon though. Not an Ellie in sight, so they must all be doing their morning meet up at the barn. The cam is showing the downside of the east yard. I wonder if the Ellies enjoy the mountain/hill views as much as we do. What a beautiful park!
Ooooops, some Ellies popped out from the shelter. And now they’re coming forward, it’s Mama U, Kaia and Khosi And it looks like Swazi is at the cam shelter waiting on her. Kami and Nisa just came on the scene and ran to Kaia.
Have a great day Ellie watching hooman herd! \o/ /o\ \o/
(copying Jan😉) Just like old times, watching Kaia digging up the soil. Dig deeper, little one! What can you find?
Just like old times. Watching Swazi and Nisa sharing a large enrichment ball, with Kami nearby, eating from the ground.
Zuli and Kaia are just playing and playing. He’s chasing her over and over. Cute
Nusu, i think the aggressiveness may be the natural behavior of moving the boys out of the herd. It’s tough to see for sure. But it was good to see Swazi go to her rescue.
Zuli has been getting bolder at his attempts to play with the big boys, maybe he thought Luti was playing at that moment? I think because he and Kaia play by shoving each other all the time, he may not get it yet.
Jan, nice to see you! It has been quieter here as of late. I did notice family Umngani was in their own yard this morning. Caught a play session with Gadze and Neepo that was cute. I did not like seeing little Kaia running around alone, but I assume it’s for a good reason that they are in their own yard by now.
A high trunk wave to all my hooman herd!!!
At work but wanted to say hello to everyone. I’ll never catch up with the previous blogs either but read just a few. Thank you all for your reports! Looks like I’ve missed some things, as I am watching but so busy at work I’m not able to be as consistent as I was.
Looks like Mama U’s family are under the west yard shelter this morning. I think Kaia broke the part of the rope off that was dangling from the shelter, she’s playing with something. Kids!
Gotta go, wishing you all a great day of cam watching!
Hi Esampu, yeah me and Gawa saw that behavior as well – the tail end of it anyway. Thanks for filling in the first part. It was upsetting to see Ndula so aggressive but it was nice to see Swazi come to the rescue pretty quickly yeah certainly drama. We also saw Zuli trunk bump Luti soon thereafter, so we thought he might have been in the mix somehow.
One other thing I saw … the whole herd was gathered around the fence, waiting for the keepers to arrive. Luti (I think) was attempting to talk to Nisa while Swazi’s back was turned. Unfortunately, Swazi turned around, making Luti take a huge step back as to not make the matriarch mad. I think he ended up bumping into Ndula, because then she shoved him, which made Swazi immediately burst into action. She spread her ears wide and immediately moved to Ndula’s side. Unfortunately, I couldn’t see what happened next because Luti moved off cam and I could only see half of Ndula and Swazi’s bodies. Drama!
Hi Marula, nice to see you here again 🙂
This morning, I saw a few interesting things! Swazi flirting with Msholo, they were intertwining trunks and Msholo laid his trunk on her head for a bit. He did push her lightly, i think he wanted to spar or play.
Speaking of playing, Zuli was attempting to play with the big boys. They weren’t ignoring him for once and there was some sparring, or at least Zuli pushing against them and them standing still 😂. At one point, I think things got too rough, because one of the females ran over and reached the little guy by putting him underneath her. Ndula was watching, but didn’t interfere.
Umngani and Kaia were away from the herd in the small yard. I’ve seen this the last few mornings, I wonder why they’re spending the night alone.
Northern California, thank you.🐬 I got your gentle rumble:-)
Gawa, thanks for the Instagram info of the babies having the mud party! I didn’t know. I’m so glad that I was able to watch it because I keep missing the fun moment a lot lately.
Esampu, your comments have been really filling the gaps that I couldn’t watch. Thank you. 🥰
Lana, me too! It’s hard to keep up with you all. But I am following but slowly, slowly! “🐝” buzzz…
Jewel, I agree with you and Esampu. The ele cam is the best!
Jan, I miss you.
It was something I saw on Sunday late afternoon. Zuli was lying on the fresh warm grass, having a short nap. Meanwhile, Kami and Nisa were standing next to each other both caressing the baby, singing a lullaby maybe. Zuli was so sleepy but he really wanted to give Kami trunk-kiss as well. So he only lifted his head up as the rest of his body still attached on the ground. He reached his trunk high up and touched her short pointy tusk. In return, Kami put her trunk around his face, holding him tight. What a sweet trunk-hugs they did!
I’ll never catch up…
Gawa, thanks SO much for the video information. Oh, it was priceless! I saw some of it “live” but of course not at all clearly. Evan certainly takes great videos, doesn’t he? Wow.
Northern California, culling is a nightmare, I agree. Horrific. I read something else in connection with research (decades ago, they don’t do it now!) about wild herds that upset me so much that I threw the book in the trash instead of trading it back for credit at the used bookstore. Silly reaction but it made me feel better, I guess it felt symbolic (consigning the author to the dump and total destruction, so to speak).
Jewel and esampu, I saw the babies playing in the mud-puddles and the mud, too! (Not as good as the video by any measure, but I didn’t know there would BE a video so I was thrilled. Plus, yeah, seeing it “yourself” even not as well, something exciting about that… I was smiling so much that my face ached. Talk about cute! Especially when they were splashing and stomping through the water like little kids. Also watching them trying not to slip too much in the mud. For awhile even the adults were setting their feet down very carefully, I noticed. I remember once with one of the calves–I think it was Qinisa as a baby–she couldn’t keep her balance with the mud, even though she didn’t fall, and finally went to either Kami or Khosi and must have told her that she was scared and couldn’t go to her mother who was up the hill. Because the older calf stopped what she was doing and escorted her; I wish I remembered when it happened so I could look it up in the [sadly incomplete] journal I used to keep. I can’t recall if Kami walked ahead to leave “corrugated” tracks for her to follow, or went behind to catch her if she fell, but I think ahead of her “blazing a trail.”
Trunk -waves to MG, Marula, Jan, East Coast, et al. MG, I’d’ve worried about the ellies with the hail, too, though I reckon they’d have headed for one or more of their shelters, or even one of the barns.
Be sure to look on Facebook or Instagram for an incredible video of the babies in that mud puddle! Sound on when you watch—it’s so much fun!
Northern California fan, I’m so glad you enjoyed the recap! It was so much fun to watch the herd enjoying the rain so much, especially the babies. It was hard to see anything this morning, the camera was covered in water. Looks like the rain has stopped for now and the herd is happily eating in the smaller yard.
I read the details of how they cull elephants a while ago and it’s not something I care to read about again. I can’t imagine the trauma the older members of the herd have been through. It’s definitely tough watching the boys rotate out, it’s why Denver Zoo decided to become a home for male elephants, it’s so tough to house them. I do wish the boys could at least stay to communicate long-term, but it’s not feasible at the moment.
Something else I wanted to mention … I saw some chatter earlier about elephants putting grass and other objects on their head. The Amboseli Trust Instagram account posted something about this last year – I remember because I saved the photo they included. They say elephants like to playfully put things on their head to joke around and they do this when food is plentiful so they have lots of energy! So it’s just their way of telling a joke 🙂
Have a wonderful week, everyone 🙂
Esampu and Jewel, thank you so much for the wonderful and thoughtful, detailed report of “our” ellie herd. It sounds like everyone had a blast! I wish I had been able to watch but both of your EEE reports brought me right into the joyous celebration, thank you again. Yes, way better than TV, Jewel. I was so happy to hear that Kaia reached up and touched Swazi’s mouth and Swazi didn’t react negatively. That was a very touching moment for me to hear about. As Esampu reported, Nisa is spending more time with her mom to comfort her because she misses Mac. I thought Marulas report of her running to rescue Nisa the other day was fascinating. I think she is a very dedicated mother to her babies and calves, but really doesn’t have much interest in the other babies, but maybe Kaia reaching up to touch her softened her heart a little.
Esampu, I really appreciated your thoughtful reporting on Swazi. Yes, she is a complicated one. As I have said before, after I read the official reports about the horrors of what our adult ellies went through as very young calves in the cull at Kruger National Park, I will never judge Swazi and her behavior again. Reading what they went through, is not for the faint of heart and adds another layer for me of how complicated the debate between having zoos or letting elephants live in the wild is. I will not give you details of the cull because it was so awful that I had nightmares for weeks and it was so bad that all the park rangers rebelled several years later and refused to participate in another proposed cull at Kruger. I am so grateful for zoos such as San Diego and that our ellie herd are safe and happy and that we get to watch such wonderful, happy moments like Esampu and Jewel got to see today. The hard part on the other side of the debate regarding zoos is that the young males are not allowed to continue living in their family units like they would in the wild like successful Parks such as Amboseli and even some of the females are sent to other zoos. Young bulls such as Emanti and Mac would have naturally gone off and been part of bachelor herds nearby their original herds and probably still are able to communicate with their long distance rumblings to their original families and even sometimes “visit” closeby their original family herd and the females would never leave their original herd. I guess what I want to say simplistically is: some wild Parks in Africa are just awful and some are wonderful and some zoos such as our wonderful San Diego Zoo are great and other zoos are just atrocious. We are just so lucky to have such a wonderful zoo with wonderful, dedicated Keepers and volunteers that allows us to watch everything via the cam and our wonderful blog monitor who allows us to share. Even though my heart does get broken and sometimes I strongly disagree with sending the ellies away to other zoos (even though currently it is necessary because there is just not enough land right now in zoos to support large herds), I am very grateful to San Diego and this opportunity to learn and watch and delight in this beautiful ellie herd. They are truly elephant ambassadors teaching us about the wonder, complexity, beauty, sensitivity, deep wisdom and delightful, joyful world of elephants and they make us truly care, treasure and support the conservation of their wild counterparts living in National Parks. Thank you so much.
Gentle trunk wave to Marula, Lana, Gawa and Jan. I hope you are all well.
What a fun rainy day! The babies running and splashing in the puddle for a long period of time. Khosi was flirting with Msholo and Luti. Several eles were digging in the bank and Kaia was right there with them. She is a good digger. Three of the larger eles laid down in the muddy bank. I think Cami even took a nap.
Luti and Ingaze were sparing in the pool and Ndula went over as if to supervise. As if Luti needs help! Ingaze has longer and thicker tusks but Luti is so much taller and larger that it is not a fair match. Luti needs to spar with Msholo more. Msholo pushed Cami away when he was eating but shared his food box with Umgani when she came over….I ever saw Kaia go under Swazi head and reach up as if to take food from her mouth. Swazi did not react with a hug or push her away so Kaia walked on. They all seemed to enjoy the rain even though they were slipping when walking down hill. I’ve spent my afternoon watching. So much better than TV…
Caught the babies having an incredibly cute time running through a puddle in the yard. It’s especially funny because the pool is right there but they’d rather use the puddle. It may be less scary. Zuli is really going crazy now, demanding cuddles from one of the females. Zuli is a very spoiled little boy! Earlier this morning, he was taking shelter under the legs of multiple females on a dirt pile. The older girls were dusting themselves and he was enjoying being the center of attention below them. Ndula joined and he was even able to nurse! What a lucky boy.
Msholo seems to be back to his old self and letting others share food with him. I caught a hilarious moment a few nights ago when he was eating in the yard and two of the boys were playing behind him. They must have been too close because he turned around suddenly and waved his trunk at them, which made the boys stop. I could hear him saying “Enough! Let me have some peace!”
As to Swazi being a “casual” mother, I feel like she has been spending much more time with Nisa since Mac left. They even share food, which was not happening before, or at least as far as I could tell! She is definitely not as warm and fuzzy as the other moms or the other females. I never see her interact with the babies. Wonder if she’ll have any more calves. I think of Swazi as very awkward – when the females were having their dirt bath earlier this morning, she approached and just pushed her way in. It almost reminded me of being at a party where you’re in a conversation and someone interjects rudely, trying to join the conversation. They still want to be part of the fun, but can’t figure out how to finess their way in. Poor Swazi. I get it. I have a lot of empathy for her.
Hope the boys are doing okay today…had severe storms with hail.
Didn’t get a chance to watch much today, but I saw yet another very hungry baby elephant. 🙂 This time it was Zuli, who was nursing for what seemed to be “forever.” I wondered if he was ever going to register “full” on the milk-gauge! Finally he had had enough–or Ndula ran dry?–and he lay down to take a brief nap. Kaia appeared in the background from somewhere “off stage” and I expected her to charge over and shake him awake, one way or another. But no. She meandered fairly close but didn’t bother him. Either she’s learning that it’s “socially unacceptable” to interrupt his sleep-sessions, or else Ndula gave her a warning rumble. He didn’t nap long, not even five minutes, but they weren’t playing (yet?) when I had to leave.
Marula, wow, Msholo at the stone shelter on his hind legs! And the babies playing in the dust-pile, I love it when they get in there and wiggle and roll and kick and wrap themselves around each other and all. And the “upset Nisa” incident–I wonder what happened? She must have really let out a yell for Swazi to come running!–and so glad to hear that Swazi gave her major reassurance. She’s always seemed to me to be a “casual” mother, not as demonstrative as the other two females–but I also remember the time Little Q (baby Nisa) got trapped in the mudhole between the “shore” and a large ele (think it was one of the big calves, not an adult)–Nisa tried to get herself out, but she was partly on her back and no “wiggle room.” I guess she finally screamed for help and Swazi came running at what must be full-speed for an alarmed elephant, with her tail practically straight up (another sign of alarm). The large ele moved away, of course, and Swazi and Khosi (I think) teamed up to push Nisa up and out in record time… Ndula may have been the cause of Nisa’s upset, but if so, strange that she was then comforting her… or maybe whatever she did, if she was the cause, was accidental. Or I suppose she could have be apologizing just to get Swazi “off her case.” But I doubt that, she’s genuinely fond of Nisa…. It’s rather frustrating that we’ll never know. So much guesswork about ele motivations, especially when we just see bits-and-pieces. And sometimes even when we see it all from start to finish, it’s still difficult or impossible to interpret, at least for us. I suspect it’s sometimes a mystery even to the experts.
Oh my goodness, East Coast, that must have been quite a sight! I’ve never seen Msholo in “destroy it!” mode but anyone can see he’d be “a force to be reckoned-with.” He’s gotten SO big. Not that we ever saw him “small,” but he certainly was a lot smaller when you and I started viewing!
Northern California, rumbled greetings to you. What a great “Kaia sighting,” not only the sand pile but the stylish hat! I love it when they carry something around on their heads like that. I’ve never been able to decide just what the reason is, but they obviously enjoy doing it occasionally–even the adults. Even the “old ladies” at TES sometimes drape a branch over their heads, not just a tangle of hay. They always–at any age–look both silly and adorable. And I bet they know that and it’s the actual reason. Or, sigh, maybe just cools them down a little or keeps the flies away temporarily. But I prefer to think they’re just having fun!
Hey, Nusu, hello! Re: camera operator, I’d say if there’s no specific link, just use the Contact Us e-mail with an “ATTN” for that; there might be something under “volunteers?” I seem to recall at one time they’d said a person had to go there for a little training (not a course or anything)–no real problem for anyone living in California already… Trunk-wave to Gawa!
Hey fellow hoomans,
This morning it looked like the camera operator seemed to be MIA, but in the bottom-right hand corner was our beloved Zuli thoroughly enjoying trying his food out as a hat prior to munching on it. Then the speed demon Kaya appeared from the far left and casually b-lined it to him. Gawa and I were expecting her to start tussling with him (being the morning) but we where pleased to see her first give him a big trunk hug from behind, caress his ear, then entwine trunks with him. She stayed there with him for a few more minutes until they both drifted further out of frame. It was really sweet. Does anyone know how one could volunteer to be a camera operator? Asking for a friend…
Trunk wave and hello to all! Wow Marula about Ndula and Nisa. No I didn’t see it. How sweet that Swazi came rushing over and then Ndula apologized with some loving trunk touches later. That must have been so dramatic to see! Also East Coast, wow! regarding Msholo getting angry and stomping a feeder box.
I had a few min to watch just now and everyone peaceful at the moment. I got to see Kaia on the light colored sand/dirt pile rolling around ecstatically with Nisa watching her and then sitting in the turtle pose (but no turtle crawl yet, darn). I can’t wait to see that. Then she went over to hay pile and was flipping it around all by herself and then found a large chunk which she proudly carried over the top of her head and proudly marched along until she was off cam view. I was just chuckling so hard at her antics.
There is a new little article on the Caldwell zoo website re Emanti and Mac.
Unfortunately I missed the Ndula incident. But oops …. I caught a glimpse of the result of Msholo losing his patience with the hay feeder box that was suspended from the roof of the stone shed at the far end of the cam yard. The box is was down on the ground getting stomped apart by the big guy. :\
(It was about 3:15 pm PDT at the upper yard)
Whoa,😲 Ndula’s got mad! She half turned -dusty smoke- so dramatically. At whom? I think it was at Nisa. Swazi rushed her and gave her assuring by putting her trunk around her daughter’s face. Nisa was very upset. I think vocally as well. Because she was opening her mouth very wildly and her trunk was out forward. I wished I had seen it from the beginning. Soon, Ndula started to give her caressing too. Then, everything went back to normal. Did anyone else see that?
No, no silly me. I was right talking about Zuli. Yes, it was Zuli following Nudula at that time. Lana was talking about the different time. Sorry about that. I need a strong coffee, please. I’m very clumsy sometimes.
Hello, Lana!!! You were typing when I was typing too!!! What do you call that?😉
Oops, sorry guys, one correction from my comments earlier. It was Kaia, not Zuli. (Oh no, my blurry eyes.) only two days off from my viewing, my ID skill is a bit off? Oh, no I have to go training now. Gotta go!
I saw Zuli trotting at the lower yard and in a moment later he stood just like a horse at his back legs without any help and paused for a second! Then he ran like wind and disappeared. I was trying to screen grab him but missed. A big sigh…☹️
Don’t worry, no one missed a thing. It was just my dream last night from my subconscious mind which I haven’t been able to capture anything interesting at all for the past a few days 🤣frustration?
Trunk-waves to Lana, Northern California and Jan and all of Escondido elephants enthusiasts; EEE!!!
Gawa, thank you for your hummingbird news! I could picture it perfectly and you holding the camera tiptoeing to get close to them.
Esampu, I hope you are much relaxed right now after the exam was finally over 🥳and watching your favourite TV show, The Days Of “Elephants” Life. Have a great and “free” weekend:-)
And this one is for real…,
When I first tuned this morning, the cam was already moving to focus on the love magnet, Zuli who was walking down from the cave and catching up to Ndula. But I didn’t miss something big moved at the far back of the screen, almost blurry. It was Msholo standing up straight up against the stone shelter (with a small entrance for babies?) The top of his head was easily above the rooftop. Oh, boy! He IS one massive giant for sure!!! Only 5 seconds, he was off the cam. And yay! this time I was able to screen grab one.
And about an hour later, when the ellies moved to the lower yard. ( I followed Zuli and Kaia ) The babies went straight to the dust pile by the Stonehenge cave. I saw Kaia doing a turtle again and soon she was stuck to Zuli like a magnet!
It’s a lucky day for me and my colourful day has just begun!
HUNGRY baby! Oh I wish I had a video of this! The wonderful cam operator just tracked Kaia all the way from where she started–at the top of the hill in the upper yard–down the hill, across the big open area, and up the slope to her mother way up at the “corral” near the fountain! She was hurrying and hurrying. She only paused a moment where Khosi was eating from a food box, stretched her trunk out to her as far as it would reach, and on her way again. Khosi looked startled! I saw some Keepers with buckets and thought that was why Kaia was in a rush, but she just made a bee-line 🙂 straight to Umngani and dived in to nurse! It was just too precious watching her little self making that “epic journey!” And yes, the Keeper did come to feed treats to Umngani–who let Kaia have some extra gulps before she went to the Keeper. Neepo and Ingadze were there at first, waiting also, but they got called separately–or anyway they were temporarily called, they went out of cam view while I was still watching. That Kaia is such a little character and she was just impossibly cute bustling along totally focused on “Mom” and “milk,” no time even for her beloved sister Khosi.
JB, darn it, I missed the fun! I did try, I hurried to the cam as soon as I read your message to us all. Thanks for the heads-up, everyone appreciates those and some even manage to read them at the right time to “catch the action.” 🙂
Little ones having gay old time in dirt pile. Soo cute
Still 5/16 here but just barely!
JB and esampu, I think I saw the babies playing in the dirt, too–or maybe my sighting was earlier and they’d been “at it” off and on all day! The time I saw was a long session and I didn’t even manage to see all of it, but I was totally enchanted by the babies–they were SO happy, it just made ME happy to see them having so much fun.
Gawa, I think I missed the “playing with Kami’s ears” part, or it wasn’t the same session–that WAS too cure! (A few hummers here the last few days but not sure if local or migrating through.) Agreed, MAJOR kind of TTT about returning elephants to the wild. Oh, now I can hardly wait for you and Nusu to make yet another wonderful “ele expedition!” You guys are going to spoil us forever!
esampu, I’m thunderstruck to hear that Nisa was able to steal the food-ball from Luti. Swazi, or someone, has evidently given him stern warnings about behaving himself! I hope the “less aggressive” trend will continue.
Trunk-hellos to Marula, Northern California, and all the rest of you!
Good morning, EEE! Today is my last day of exams, so I will be able to dedicate myself full-time to watching the cam 😉 (Just kidding, I have an online class that starts next week)
Right now, I am watching Luti eat from an absolutely enormous feeding ball. Princess Nisa came over and stole it from him, so he went and stole someone else’s ball. However, he is letting the other ellie eat from the grass on the floor, how charitable. I saw lots of cute wrestling this morning when the ellies were huddled around the upper yard waiting for the keepers. Just another day at the elephant spa!
Gawa, I love how you described it that way. They really take great care of them. Most people don’t know what we know – I was shocked a few months ago when a family friend posted photos on Facebook of her riding an elephant in India. I posted some links but I don’t know if she read them. All we can do is try!
JB – I saw the babies going nuts on the dirt pile with Kami (I think) and was laughing so hard. I took a few screen grabs when Kami laid down and Kaia was playing with her ears. Too darn cute!
Marula – you say the sweetest things to all of us and always make me smile when I read your posts. BTW, the hummingbirds have been seeking shelter on our balcony all day b/c it’s been cold and raining but every time I get up to take a photo they spot me through the balcony door and fly off. They will sit either on the tomato cage or in the dwarf Meyer lemon tree.
Very cool to hear about the antics at Reid, Paula. We loved watching the videos on YouTube of Mabu playing with the kiddos and hope to visit the zoo when we visit friends in Tucson again. Also, so glad you explained about the location because I wondered about that. I’ve seen giant tracker trailer trucks going by and thought that the noise must be deafening and bothersome to the ellies since they are so tuned into sound(s). Good that they’re used to it and guess it must be like white noise to them now and they just tune it out.
esampu – thank you for replying to that person on my post! I’m so tired of people without a clue commenting about things they haven’t bothered to research but yet feel strong enough about them to comment in a public forum. More often than not, I just delete their comment if the person seems like a troll but if they ask a legitimate question, I will share what I’ve learned or direct them to “click on the link in the bio of @sdzsafaripark” or the website so they too can become an elephant enthusiast.
Lana, I just love Kami! I could watch her with the babies all day. And thank you for all you shared about the reality of returning elephants to the wild. It’s such a tricky topic to tackle (TTT – we have a lot of those here, don’t we?) with people that aren’t as curious or knowledgable about elephants. I too have become an advocate and after visiting the SDZSP I now say that it’s kind of like an elephant spa and until you have a chance to visit, you really shouldn’t say anything negative about the quality of their lives there.
NorCal – I owe you an email reply! Coming soon… Trunk wave to you and Jan for now!
JB, I saw the babies playing in the dirt, too! I think it was with Kami, who was laying down in the dirt. Super adorable.
What a nice summer evening the herd is having right now. 7:00 pm and everyone is out and about. Khosi is the closest to the camera and she has hit a jackpot of a very full ball of hay all to herself!
Marula, thank you so much for the kind words. It really means a lot to me 🙂
Kaia and Zuli are having a ton of fun right now!
Oh, Paula, that was wonderful! Oh, thank you so much for sharing! Old-timers like me always want to hear about “our” ellies because, like family, even if they move away, they still live in your heart. The Samba and Nandi incident, and Mabu–who always surprises me even though I KNOW he’s “an old softie”–with the kids! I bet he did get them to come and play with him! By the way, I had the same doubts about the herd being moved to the middle of a city; I’m so glad they adjusted so well. I know ellies adapt amazingly well, but even so, it’s so good to learn this from someone who’s been there to see it “for real.” 🙂
Lana brought up the Reid Park video with the elephant’s responses to their new surroundings and sounds. The Reid Park Zoo is in the city and has a busy street that runs just outside of the zoo boundary by the elephant containment wall. I was not sure if this was going to work out with all of the noisy vehicles going by when they first moved there. However, they got accustomed to the sounds fairly quickly so I was reassured that they would be just fine. One day, I was watching the heard at the zoo when Nandi was approximately 7 months old. The elephants were scattered out at different ends and areas within their main yard. I was standing in the middle viewing area and Nandi was walking away from her mother to my left. Her mother, Samba, was to my right and facing the opposite direction. Suddenly, what sounded like a noisy truck pulling a loudly squeaking trailer caused Nandi to stop, squeal, put out her ears, trunk and tail all at the same time, spin around and run towards her mother. Well mother did the same thing about 1 second later and ran towards her baby meeting together right in front of me. They both immediately calmed down. I will never forget that experience. I usually don’t write much in the blog, but a recent swimming party in the elephant pool at the Reid Park that I viewed on the cam is worth writing about. Nandi was standing at the edge of the pool swishing the water around with her left foot. Mabu comes up from behind, passing her and rushes into the pool. His daughter immediately fallows him and they are rolling around in the water with each other, disappearing and resurfacing with trunks or legs intertwined. Mabu then gets out after about 10 minutes and Nandi follows him out of the view of the cam. Within about 5 minutes later, here comes Mabu back, rushing into the water followed by Nandi and her brother Sundzu, both trying to keep up with dad as they rush into the water. Now all 3 are rolling around, splashing and spraying water with their trunks and then Lungile comes over, watching the antics the whole time from the edge of the pool never getting in herself, but as if she is the life guard or just being entertained like I was. Finally, after about 8 minutes Mabu starts head butting his son in the pool with lots of energy. This head butting goes on back and forth for a few minutes until Sundzu is pushed out of the pool, rear first right towards the camera. He, Nandi and Lungile slowly wander off as Mabu remains lounging in the pool after tiring his kids out. I believe that he went and got Sundzu to come and join him and Nandi in the pool.
Oh, well said, esampu. Exactly what I point out when I have the opportunity. People just don’t realize. Even just to try to “retire” them to some large sanctuary in the US–who pays for all this even if there were suitable places, which there aren’t except for TES and PAWS? And they could only take a limited number or wreck their whole system with too many ellies crowded together. Don’t these people realize, elephants eat a LOT of food, and you need shelter, and husbandry care, and veterinarians and… and… and… As for “returning them to the wild,” not only the “who pays”/etc. (a tad expensive to get them back to Africa) but also WHERE? In addition to that, those of us involved with Sheldrick’s know that you can’t just plunk an elephant down and it joins a herd. And the ellies who are “captive-born” haven’t got a clue. (Like the youngest of the three from Toronto who went to PAWS; even with her two lifelong companions there, she was scared to come out and roam around for quite awhile.) “Our” ellies here, moved all together, might have some hope of survival, being a herd of their own already and with the adults wild-born so remembering much that they need to know, but I wouldn’t bet on that, plus likely they would not have immunity to local “diseases.” And a whole lot of other factors that, like you, I’ll just let-go and step-down; I think here at the blog we’re “preaching to the choir! Still, you never know, some new people reading and not commenting may be surprised that it’s not that easy. It seems to me that when Randall Moore took his ellies back to Africa–I read his book but it’s a long time ago–he had trouble finding a country to take them to. I know one female went to Pilanesburg (spelling?) and became matriarch to some orphans there, and of course the famous Abu went to Botswana with “Cathy” who’s been in a couple of documentaries. There was another ele, too, but I don’t recall his story (probably sad and I blocked it out).
Marula, you’re so lucky you got to see Curtis. 🙂
Esampu, yours were up while I was typing. I too consider that you are an ambassador of all the ellies out there🐘🌍. You have such great empathy towards them and you ARE a very passionate person. I really do appreciate that you share so much educational and very honest opinions with us. I’m always amazed and thankful for.
Hello everyone! When I saw Kaia doing the turtle walk yesterday, I thought “yes! Lana, I finally saw it too!” I remembered you talked about her a month ago. With my belief cam viewing, I also got so excited to watch Curtis feeding Umngani and doing the casual routine among other keepers, as Jan mentioned. 😀 Yay! It was such a rare event for me, so I screen-printed them, mainly to capture the moment of HIM! ( he doesn’t come out so often at the passageway, does he? Since he is the supervisor and all. ) Oh, he’s such kind and warm hearted person for sure after reading Lana’s sharing. How nice to know that:-) Thank you.
When Umngani was enjoying the time with him, Kaia was still rubbing her body against Mama U’s hind leg. Northern California, I saw Itchy-Scratchy Kaia too, poor girl and thank your for the EEE evening news! I thoroughly enjoyed it.
And last not but least, esampu🌻thank you for your report and fascinating theory from the Denver zoo meeting. So great that you are juggling both of your study at once! ( your college and pachyderm study)
To take your mind off from your homework, you’re probably watching your favourite tv show right now–the elephant Cam, of course!
Hi, everyone! I wonder where the babies are – this morning I’ve just seen Msholo and the teens in the lower yard. Msholo is sharing his hay with two other ellies, so maybe our sweet bull is back! I can see Khosi roaming around in the back, so the babies must be somewhere near by!
I think Kaia does indeed have some allergies or maybe bugs love her – I remember a few months ago seeing her spending a long time itching her little legs. I *think* I can recognize Kami and she has the sweetest little face. If she is who I think it is, she loves to sit on her throne of dirt like a turtle like Marula says!
Lana, I consider myself an ambassador for elephants these days, I tell everyone I know how incredible they are. Many people don’t realize how complex their lives are or the threats they are under. I can be a little obnoxious, tho – yesterday someone in Gawa’s comments was complaining about Kaia being at the safari park and saying that elephants want to be in a lush forest. I had to tell them that Kaia is a SAVANNA elephant. If they’re going to complain they should do it the right away!
Not to digress, but it also just personally upsets me when people talk about “the wild” – there is no wild, by and large, anymore. Most elephant populations are managed on reserves – that’s not to say the elephants of Amboseli have lives that are anything like SDZSP, but they move between protected areas and humans are looking out for them and caring for them if they become injured. That is how the original herd got here, because the elephant population was being managed/monitored. The idea of elephants just roaming around Africa is false.
The situation for Asian elephants is even bleaker – there are so many videos on YouTube about elephants on highways and in villages. At least in Africa, there is a community of conservation where there are efforts to bring to tourists to these huge protected areas to see them. In Asia, they are still being used for shows and riding.
In any case, I’ll hop off my soap box now. Have a wonderful rest of the week 🙂
Catching up on some of the comments before I have an impossible backlog!
esampu, I was really excited to learn that one of our theories about the ellies–the “weight loss plan”–might be the answer to grouchy elephants.
Jan–“Scavenger hunt”–I love it! It seemed to me watching the babies the other day that there was definitely “stuff” hidden in the nooks and crannies of at least one stump/root-ball. Sounds as if everyone is getting a chance to play the game now! So Curtis was out there? He’s so special. Have you seen that Reid Park video they made right after Mabu et al. moved there, where he’s doing the interview and a plane going overhead spooks Lungile? I was so impressed with him, and with his relationship to the ellies. It’s a good interview anyway, but this is the thing, Lungile started almost “running” (ele fast-walk not quite full ele speed but definitely alarmed) and he just stopped talking, called out to her in a normal (but louder because of the plane and distance) voice “It’s okay, Lungile!” and she slowed immediately, and then he turned back to the interviewer and continued as if nothing had happened, with her calmed down in the background. Major heart-warming event to witness, and “says it all” about the relationship between the Team and the ellies.
Northern California, poor little Kaia! I remember we saw that once before with her, she had The Itch of the Century just like you’re describing. She either has a definite allergy to something, or I thought that time maybe she’d been napping on top of an ant-hole colony and the soldier-ants had swarmed out and declared war with lots of nasty little nips! (And thank you for thanking me for my input! We’re lucky to have several of us here that have studied/watched elephants for awhile so we have some solid information and/or hopefully-good theoies to share with the newer people who are just learning about how marvelous and complex elephants are–not just “big dumb animals.” Funny how the word “dumb,” which really just means “unable to speak,” got morphed into a derogatory term in connection with animals. I guess sometimes referring to people, too, as I think about it.)
Marula, I love that little turtle in the sand! I can just see her “crawling forward,” since I did see that myself once so I have my memory to “animate” your description even more vividly. Oh, the roll-over at the end! She is such a darling.
esampu, that is so interesting about the ellies possibly being on caloric restriction. As you said, that would certainly make me grumpy too! And I’m so glad you’re not starving yourself for your wedding–there is no need. Jan, I didn’t see them eating the snacks but I did see them rolling the larger logs around and then I was watching Kami and then later Ndula doing this interesting technique of standing along the edge of the logs and chipping pieces of the bark or wood off and then eating them. Zuli was watching his mom intently and then trying to eat some of the bark or wood but he didn’t seem to like the pieces that were chipped off very much.
Marula, very cute about Kaia being a turtle on the dirt pile again and so glad it cheered your day. 🙂
In the afternoon, I did see that both Kaia and Mama U were a little wet and that Kaia had a light dusting of dirt along her back. Then I had to stop watching for a little bit. When I came back later I saw her tearing across the yard SO fast! She got to the slope that had some grass and then was rubbing herself vigorously on it like she was itchy. That wasn’t working so then she jumped up and dashed around to the back of the Stonehenge structure to where her mom was eating and she vigorously began rubbing herself all over her mom’s legs and belly again like she was very itchy. Umngani was so patient because she kept trying to eat, but Kaia was just moving all around her, rubbing and rubbing every which way all around her mom’s body, trying to relieve the itching. It took quite a while. A little later when I tuned in, they had both moved to a different feeding ball and Kaia seemed calmer and was standing in the front of Umngani in her shadow trying to stay cool while Mama U ate and fanned herself and Kaia with her ears. It must have been hotter today because during that time, the other ellies in the upper yard were hanging out in the shade of Stonehenge’s shadow.
Lana, that was such a sweet vignette about Kami and Zuli. I’m so happy that they have each other. Kami is so very sweet. I’ve never seen her do anything pushy or aggressive. As I replied to Jan above, it was fun watching her balancing on a log and then I noticed she was balancing on the edge and chipping pieces off to eat. She really is “The Acrobat”.
Ok, that’s the evening EEE report………………
Just passed 1 pm, Pacific time, I saw Kaia on her belly on the top of a dust pile in the lower yard, she was trying to move forward like a turtle( she did) so that she could get to Zuli, then she rolled over! Awww, too cute. Only this a few seconds of viewing, I was full and my day was complete!
Hello to everyone! I’ll try to answer comments later but I wanted to share this and don’t know if I’ll have time later… Early this morning (not much after dawn there, a little after 6:30 PDT, there was such a lovely time in the yard near the fountain and barn. Ndula, Swazi, Kami, Nisa, and Zuli–and then a bit later I saw that Msholo was there too–the important “actors” were Kami and Zuli, however. Zuli kept reaching up to her mouth and her chin, touching and caressing, she would touch him back of course. Once she curled her trunk up against her forehead and he did similar although still under her chin. Then he clearly wanted to play with her, and she let him play a “push-game” with his tiny trunk against hers; she even pretended once that she had to brace her feet to resist him (priceless to see her stretched out with this little mite of an ele pushing against her!)–he was ecstatic, and you could tell that she was happy too. It went on for quite a while and even though he was pushing, you could see that he was also being gentle, not “rough” like he would be with one of the boys. It was just so lovely. I still think Kami is the sweetest elephant of all, even sweeter than Umngani… Nisa wanted to get in on the act too, but she didn’t really interfere, she just backed up to them and stood there with her rear-end close to Zuli’s (he was still facing Kami), probably just absorbing all the good feelings and listening to little intimate rumbles between Zuli and Kami. I had to leave the room and when I came back, either Nisa or Kami was lying down farther up the slope with Zuli playing around–too small on my computer for me to get a really good look. It was so wonderful to see them so happy and relaxed. Msholo was up in the far corner with one of the adults, but he turned and came back down-slope towards the cam and he was swaggering along in that “be-bop-boop” way (have I got that right, Jan?) that shows he’s relaxed and feeling very “I’m in charge of the world” in a nice way. Again, one notes that we often see the best and “most real” moments when the Park hasn’t opened yet and there’s nothing to distract them from just being “who they are.”
Hummmm. Wonder what’s up. Watching the herd waiting for the west yard to be cleaned and to be moved there. Some Keepers came out in the passageway, and a camera guy, who was taking pictures. The Elllies were let into the west yard, and they hurried over there, but there wasn’t any stuffed enrichment hay balls or boxes to greet them. No branches. There is some green stuff scattered about on the ground, but haven’t a clue as to what it could be, and the Ellies aren’t eating it. The Ellies were as surprised as I was to find there wasn’t any hay or branches there to eat. However, they are walking all around picking up something to eat. Maybe pellets? They are also hidden in the crooks and crannies of logs lying about. It looks like some new wood has been added to the yard, however, I have missed a lot so it could be that it was placed before today. And, I believe I see Cutis out there.
Some of the Ellies are digging around the logs and trying to move them as well. Must be yummy whatever it is. It’s a scavenger hunt day!
Has any of our hooman herd seen what I did?
Hi everyone, been watching the cam on and off today and the herd has already been shuffled into either yard a few times. I think their unrest is food-related. Earlier, the keeper was throwing down food at them and Msholo actually snapped his head as if unhappy with the selection. If they are all on a weight loss plan, then they are getting less starches, which always irritates me! I attended a keeper talk at Denver Zoo by one of the pachyderm keepers and she mentioned a weight loss plan they put our female rhino on – they give her the same volume of food but less calories. So they are all probably just hungry. I get it because I hate dieting, too. I considered losing weight for my wedding but I decided that this wedding is going to take whatever body I give it, LOL.
Nothing too interesting to report this morning, except they were all huddled in an area I’d never seen them in before, towards the far end of the large yard. I couldn’t see what they were all looking at.
Also, I didn’t start watching the cam until last winter – I found this herd via the babies! My previous elephant fix was via the Sheldricks.
Marula, so happy that you came buzzing through sprinkling us all with magical pollen dust for a brief moment. I hope you’re well. Gawa, I loved your 2nd haiku, it made me laugh. Lana, I just love the way you bring in the info from all your vast elephant wisdom and stories and relate it to “our” ellie herd when we are trying to figure out what different things might be going on. You bring such a vast wealth of knowledge. I also love when you and Jan, East Coast, MG, etc. reminisce about the ellies. It’s good to imagine Luti and Musi as little calves too. Fun to imagine Musi as a big goofball. Gawa and Nusu that will be so interesting if you are able to go visit him in Fresno.
Things do seem restless among the herd. I think that’s an interesting thought Gawa: Spring fever or maybe sensing some sort of change. There definitely seems to be some jockeying for position in the hierarchy. Hopefully it will calm down soon.
I’m scrambled here, betwixt and between–Northern California, I missed your beautiful haiku for Emanti. How did that happen? Fortunately read about it in someone’s post… It is as sweet and gentle as Emanti himself.
Jan, I’m so happy you’re back. I hoped it was just the weekend thing, no problems! Musi was a goofball, you’re right, he had quite a different personality (except for harassing Umngani) from the others–probably because he had a different father from the other boys? Plus the entitlement of being the first ele born at the Park, of course! I’d forgotten how he used to slouch around all loose-jointed and goofy. He was indeed a bully at times but Msholo’s influence had started to temper that a little, I remember he’d sometimes “spar” with Luti quite gently, towards the end of his time at the Park. I hope that carries over, as you say. I wonder what kind of young bull he’s matured to be, now?
esampu, I agree about Khosi! She’s been mothering ALL the calves (except Musi and Punga) her whole short life, when you stop to think about it! That’s a lot of babies in a short time for an ele who wasn’t even old enough to have her own until very recently. I am so eager to see her with a baby of her own, she’ll be so thrilled! And pretty much “off duty” as a babysitter except if she “shares” with some other mother (older or Kami) like Ndula and Umngani sometimes do. (I wonder if the mothers draw stalks of hay to see who gets the short one and has to mind the little whirlwinds for awhile?)
The Luti incident was extremely interesting… especially Ndula’s part in it.
Gawa, what is going on here lately? Maybe it’s the weather! I know I get cranky if the barometer starts falling. Big smile at the “eat hay” haiku, too funny and cute!
Marula, a gentle trunk-hello. Here’s a little “post” about Umngani and Kaia for you and the others: The only interesting thing I happened to see today, and brief. The ellies had some lovely branches with lots of leaves on them. That may be why Khosi and the others seemed unhappy with “the brunch selection” earlier? They scented the branches although they weren’t given them until later, so they felt cheated? (Not an unlikely scenario, there was an older orphan at Sheldrick’s who had been cut back to two bottles of milk instead of three and was very upset. He–or maybe she, it was awhile ago I read it–wanted his third bottle! The amusing thing is that he didn’t care if it was water instead of milk, he just wanted that number three bottle like everyone else had!)
So–nice big leafy branches. Umngani was chowing-down on a rather spindly one, though it might have been bigger originally and this was just the last part she carried off. Or maybe the bigger part got stolen from her. Little Kaia was at another one a few yards beyond, that was about four times her size, pulling away at the smaller tips and the leaves on them. I don’t know what clued-her-in but she stopped and pulled back and I saw Umngani coming with an eye on that tangle of branches. Sure enough, Umngani took it and turned with it protectively and was standing with her tail end to the cam, eating hungrily, when I had to leave. I lost track of Kaia but I think she must have been nibbling at the same branch, just unseen because of Umngani’s size… Anyone see a follow-up? Why are the ellies so hungry lately, more than usual it seems. Maybe they’ve gotten a little overweight and the Keepers have to cut back on the food a bit temporarily, for health’s sake? Or has Swazi’s “food attitude” morphed into something “contagious”? Or is it just a springtime thing, that they’re more hungry? In the wild there’d be a sudden surge of greenery with the season and they would, indeed, be eating more, I think, after winter deprivation, to get “normal” weight back on. Maybe it’s memory and habit, or something in their genes after millennia of living by natural cycles?
A trunk hello to my all hooman herd! Just a quick stop to say hi from me on the way to collect more nectar🐝 ( no sharing today, but gazing at the ellies just eating hay brought me a peaceful moment. )
Continuing all of your enthusiastic discussions through yesterday and today, I really enjoyed reading them. I was sensing everyone’s soft rumbling to each other. Such kindred spirits you all are!
Listening to your conversations, I also felt as if I was attending a big lecture and me “ a freshman” eagerly taking notes to absorb and learn the new things. Thank you all😊
Esampu, I hope your semester finishes soon so that I get to read more of your EEE morning news. As you know, I’m your biggest fan!🌟
Gawa, my beautiful hummingbird, can I tell you I liked your second one better because it brought me such a huge grin over my face🤗🌻
Welcome back indeed, Jan!!! How happy to see you again. Okay, let me try your famous moves…\o//o\\o/! 🦌🦅
Northern California, truly beautiful! Thank you 🐋🐬💦
Lana, soft rumble all the way!!! 🐝❤️U xoxo
Hi hoomans, I think Umngani has caught M’Sholo’s mood b/c around that same dirt pile this morning (as esampu described) I saw her push roughly with her tusks at Koshi! And then I saw her do a take no prisoners lunge at Luti who was attempting to “bug” her the way he usually does. I also noticed they would each extend their trunks out to each other almost like a trunk wrap but without actually touching. They did this 2 or 3 times before one of them eventually pulled back. When Umngani pulled back she’d move closer to M’Sholo who was there watching it all rather disinterestedly. It seems to me that everything is somewhat amp’d up there right now…is it spring fever or could they all be sensing some more changes afoot?
I did luv seeing Ndula and Zuli twining this morning walking with browse in their mouths looking very happy and content.
NorCal – your haiku was beautiful and poignant and you were more true to the form by mentioning the season, which I neglected to do. The other one I wrote was a bit silly but reminded me of Emanti and how he always seems/seemed to have hay in his mouth: It is your birthday! / Drop everything and eat hay. / No sharing today.
Hi Esampu, I agree with everything you said. Such good EEE mornining reporting. I saw a small snippet of what you saw with pesty Luti. Poor Msholo, it’s so unlike him. I’m sure he’s not enjoying how he’s feeling either. I hope you’re all done with the semester and can relax a bit. Welcome back Jan! Good to hear from you. Big trunk wave!
Welcome back, Jan! I think the biggest takeaway from the past few days is M’sholo is cranky! I did see him this morning by himself in the lower yard staring straight ahead looking a bit perturbed. I haven’t seen him hanging out much with Umngani like he was for a while. I wonder if he doesn’t feel well physically or going through some post-musth changes. I’m sure he’ll come out of it!
Speaking of cranky, Khosi was snapping her head a lot this morning – I think they were not happy with the brunch selection today. There was a lot of trunk sniffing, so perhaps the keepers have shifted the treat schedule. Khosi, I think, deserves an honorary Happy Mother’s Day. She is always taking care of the babies these days. She was on duty today when both of the babies were wrestling on a pile of dirt and the mommas were nowhere to be found, not even Ndula!
There was a moment when I saw Umngani, Khosi and Kaia eating and then Luti joined the group. Umngani and Kaia immediately left. Ndula appeared and Khosi, Zuli and Ndula all huddled. Finally, Luti stepped away from the group, with Ndula following (perhaps to reprimand him?? I could imagine her saying to him, “I told you to leave them alone!”) him. Umngani saw Luti was gone and came back and joined Khosi. I wonder when Luti will transition out, it’s definitely time. Even Ndula seems to agree.
A high trunk wave to my hooman herd!!!
Been so very busy, all is fine. Geeesh I am so far behind. 😒 I started to read the posts but actually stopped at Lana’s talking about the Musi and Msholo sparring days. Msholo and Musi were a buddy team. I remember us referring to Msholo as Musi’s hero and idol. Thinking about our boys now, I can only say that maybe the relationship Musi and Msholo had was richer because Msholo was younger and smaller, when he came to SDZSP. Musi more less “grew” into size with Msholo. Msholo is HUGE now, so could that have something to do with our boys now? And, Musi, he was a goofball, not much intimated by anything, he had a different personality then the boys do. Do you agree? I just remember him as a care-free, bully, a real goofball. I remember him trying to mate too, though he wasn’t received well as far as the girls were concerned. Sometimes, his gentler side would come out. I think if Musi were to be around boys now, we would see some of Msholo’s traits surface. He would mentor the calves as Msholo did him, using Msholo sparring techniques and even quite possibly, be the gentle ole soul Msholo’s been with the younger ones.
There is no way I’ll ever catch up with the posts, as the more I read, the more there are. 😊 Just hope I didn’t miss anything really important
further down. Gotta go! Have a great day with our Ellies!
esampu, thank you! I haven’t read the Topsy book, but I’ve read before about “revenge” on abusive trainers (and do they ever deserve it; I will censor what I have to say about them, this being a family-friendly place). Also, as Mama Daphne said about reaping what you sow. You only have to see how the big grown-up orphans love and trust their former Keepers after they (the ellies) have returned to the wild. And the ellies here at SDZSP clearly feel the same loving way about the Elephant Team who care so much for them in so many ways, physical and psychological (and emotional, although maybe that’s included in psychological). And I saw the “grudge” thing right here at the Park on cam one day. I’ve mentioned it in the past, maybe before you started watching… This was when Neepo was still a baby, can’t recall exactly how old but couldn’t have been much more–and maybe a lot less–than a year old. Luti was bullying him–yes, Luti has always had a problem with his attitude at times. He pinned Neepo against that concrete backing for the “fountain/waterhole” (on the back outside part, from cam view) and did it hard. I’m sure Neepo screamed, just from his body-language and from seeing how crushed he got. (He would have been pretty small for that wall to be a major problem for him.) Of course there was nothing for the viewer to hear. But Khosi came rushing to rescue him–Luti must have heard her coming, or known he’d been out of line, he’d gone off before she actually got there. I don’t remember but I’m sure she comforted Neepo, she was wonderful with him when he was little. What I recall very clearly, however, happened hours later. (It took me a minute to realize what I had just seen, then.) The ellies were all around just doing ele things. Suddenly Khosi charged at Luti and gave him a nasty shove, I think he even staggered as he tried to escape it. It just seemed to happen “out of nowhere.” I thought: What on earth was THAT about? And then I made the connection. She was punishing him for what he did to Neepo earlier in the day, and I could imagine her saying: “THAT for you! You thought you got away with it, didn’t you?” She was big enough to do it, too, since there was about a 4-year difference in their ages. Luti would have been fairly small by comparison, since he’s not much older than Neepo, but he was already quite a bruiser. We used to say he was “rotund,” he was big and stocky for his age even in those days, a lot bigger than the other boys born that same year, and way bigger than little Neepo.
Northern California, that’s “a puzzlement” about Msholo’s temperament lately. Of course just like a human, he may be having a few bad days not-feeling-up-to-par and thus grouchy.
Hi, Marula! 🙂 What a beautiful tranquil scene with Umngani and her loving family!
Lana, you’re so very right that elephants DO hold grudges. I’ve talked about it here before, but in the book Topsy (about circus elephants) there are multiple stories of elephants killing abusive trainers but not harming positive trainers. As Dame Daphne Sheldrick has said, “with elephants, you reap what you sow!” I’m sure that’s true in elephant society. The Sheldricks posted a video a few weeks ago of orphan Mteto being shoved by wild-born baby Kama after Mteto tried to join Kama and her mom and I felt bad for Mteto, but I bet it was a punishment for a previous issue. Mteto is one of the “naughtiest” orphans, after all!
I am very ready to be done with classes! Then I’ll have more time to watch my favorite tv show, the Elephant Cam!! 😉
Trunk wave hooman herd! Thank you to Esampu and Gawa for well wishes for my daughter and I that means alot of me. Gawa, we were on the same wavelength as far as a haiku for Emanti! I love your sweet loving one. Here is mine: Gentle Emanti/Do the Spring winds caress you/With sweet memories.
I just saw Msholo asking so uncharacteristically aggressive towards the females. Did anyone else see that? Khosi, Ummngani, Kaia and Nisa were all gathered together. Msholo came up and roughly shoved Umngani in the rump with his tusks and she quickly moved away with Kaia. Then he went at Khosi, nudging her with tusks a little less roughly but none the less strongly, wanting her to move which she did. Then he moved towards Nisa but she didn’t wait and scooted out of there quickly. He then was searching on the ground to see if they had been eating treats. When he didn’t find any, then he started going after the ellies that were hidden behind Stonehenge so I couldn’t see who was hiding back there or what happened. Wow, he’s really needing a lot of food and it’s making him irritable. I wonder what’s happening with him? Maybe musth (sp?) or some sort of spring growth spurt?
Whoa, sorry, Northern California! I got mixed up with my back-and-forth between typing and comments and typing again! Msholo’s dust-bath, not his dinner! They really enjoy that variety of textures in the sand, soil, dirt, etc. that is provided for them; how wonderful that they don’t just get “the same old thing” dumped for them every day.
Just saw Zuli vigorously attacking the stump with his little trunk-fingers. He was definitely digging something out of the cracks because a couple of times he paused to pick “it” up out of the dirt. Maybe this is what he and Kaia were trying to not-share yesterday. Fruit? nuts? “biscuits”? vegetable chunks? Whatever it was, great “dexterity” exercise for the babies’ trunks and “fingers.”
What a beautiful place to be back today with everyone is giving warm wishes to human friends and the ellies!
In the dawn I saw Umngani and the rest of the herd were standing at the barn the other day. Her children were caressing each other standing side by side. Neepo was resting his trunk on Kaia’s back. Mama U distanced herself from them standing by the fountain. She was dozing off with her eyes almost closed, resting her trunk on her right tusk for a while then, switched it on her left one…What a tranquillity she must’ve been in. Happy Mother’s Day!
Gawa, the beautiful hummingbird, what a beautiful haiku you gave to Emanti!
esampu, you’ll be glad to see the end of the semester for sure. I wondered, too, if Luti’s pestering of Umngani was something that affects Msholo’s attitude towards him. Wouldn’t surprise me. We do know that elephants can hold a grudge if they want to, sometimes for a very long time. Kaia and Umngani Food Wars had me more amused than worried. I’ve been noticing that Zuli does the same thing with Ndula and with the babysitters too. I think this must be a stage they go through as they’re learning how to use the food-boxes, especially since we’ve recently seen the “new” boxes that have openings that are clearly made large enough for two trunks (if one of them is small-ish) to fit into. One of the babies, I think Zuli, had commandeered a box and was tilting it constantly towards himself in order to reach the hay that would “pool” at the lowest part, which–with the tilt–made it possible for him to grab some.
Hi, Jewel. Hopefully our dear Monitor will be able to get some information about the various ellies’ weights (especially Msholo’s) from the Elephant Team. Yes, that 7 weeks plus genetics (Ndula is one big lady!) does make a big difference between the babies, and also Zuli being a little bull would be getting larger and more sturdy (stocky, even–elephants don’t seem to get fat, they remind me of that cliche about “that’s just muscle”) at this age. It does seem a bit strange to see the size “gap” widening between them when they were almost exactly the same size in the beginning. In fact, Kaia was a little heavier (very little, but still!) when she was born than he was, if I remember?
I haven’t managed to see anything to report today but late yesterday there was a rain-shower and the elllies all took advantage of the “natural mud” to have a mini-mud-fest. Actually it looked more as if there’d been just enough rain to make the dirt-piles “clot” so that the stuff they sprayed onto themselves had a kind of potting-soil consistency. Several of them would scrape some of it loose with their feet and then layer it on their heads and necks and backs. The babies loved it! Zuli (I’m pretty certain) even wiggled around so much when he was lying down in it, that he rotated around in a full circle due to rolling from his side to his back and his side again, while “pedaling” his feet at the same time and nudging with his head. A pudgy little elephant-shaped top spinning in super-slow motion! He flopped his trunk around a bit, too. Later he and Kaia were “fighting” over something–either a scratching spot or some enrichment-thing smeared-on (or hidden-in) the big stump. One even chased the other away a couple of times!–so either it was something good, or else they were PRETENDING it was something good, which is equally possible.
Hello, Northern California! It’s so good to “hear” from you again. I wish things could be easier for you and your daughter; it is so painful for both of you… This incident with Luti and Msholo is so interesting, and I felt as if I were watching them–with bated breath, just in case Msholo lost his always-amazing self-control. My guess is that he probably gave Luti one last harder-than-before shove when they were off-cam, enough to make him stagger and come to his senses. But why is Luti so very persistent? I suppose, since he’s dominant over Ingadze and Neepo already, he’s desperate to find an opponent who WILL push back all the time instead of eventually yielding the way the other two do, because of the established hierarchy among the three youngsters. Someone he feels he can really “fight.” But it sounds like bad judgment this particular time. Getting between a male and his dinner is almost as risky as walking in front of the TV screen when the backfield is “in motion” during a Rose Bowl game.
What a good haiku, Gawa! And a lovely idea. Oh, darn, I missed all that with the branches. Did Umngani get her share?
I am wondering if we could get current weights on the herd. It seems Ndula is larger than Swazi now. I am sure Msholo is much larger than the weight posted as are the younger crowd. Of course the babies change every week so much it would be hard to keep up with them. Zuli’s head seems much larger than Kaia’s and he seems to be more advanced in many ways. What a difference 7 weeks make plus the maternal genteics.
Gawa, what a sweet haiku! Happy birthday, Emanti indeed! I do continue to check the Caldwell Zoo tag on Instagram but there aren’t as many photos, looks like the ellies are mostly deep into the exhibit and there aren’t many “close up” photos.
Happy Mother’s Day to all! Northern California fan, I’m glad that our posts give you joy and I hope you’re able to have a good day.
This morning, I saw a bit of a stand off between M’sholo and Swazi. She had her back to him and I think he wanted her to move out of his way but she wouldn’t. It was an interesting dance of sorts. Finally, he gave her a push and then walked away. Not sure what that was about! The babies must have been getting training/health checks because I didn’t see them in the lower yard and the keepers were in the big yard cleaning. I missed them!
Gawa, I have yet to see Umngani get visibly annoyed at having her food stolen! She now has a new thief to contend with: Kaia! Yesterday, I saw Kaia sharing the feeder box with her mom and she was getting really into it. She even tried to push Umngani’s trunk out of the box at one point. Umngani was patient when Kaia would have her trunk in (it takes her longer since her trunk is still small, after all) and laid her trunk on Kaia’s head. Maybe it’s time for the babies to get their own boxes!
Happy Mothers’s Day to all the hooman Mom’s as well as the ellie mamas today!
And today is Emanti’s birthday, right? I had it on my calendar and wrote this haiku for his special day:
Today is the day /we celebrate Emanti / Our dear little bull.
Marula – I also saw the keeper give the little doe some pellets that day; it was the sweetest thing ever.
So fun to see the ellies super excited to find all the branches just now (10:50 am Pacific)! I just pray no one steals Umngani’s and that she gets her fair share. We saw Swazi steal away her hay ball this morning and she was very upset…she moved away slightly but stayed near and did a few head snaps and was swinging her leg and appear very agitated. It really stresses me out too!
NorCal/Moana – so good to hear from you and very sorry to hear things have been especially difficult lately but happy to learn you’re able to squeeze in time to read the blog and continue to ride the ellie train with us. Wishing you a peaceful Mother’s Day and sending love and light your and your daughter’s way.
Happy Mother’s Day to Umngani, Ndula and Swazi! They are all such good mamas. Hello hooman herd, thank you for all the beautifully written, touching, funny, exciting, intriguing and poetic posts. I’ve been so enjoying them all because I have no time to watch or post because things have been really, really tough here. All your posts have been so well written and descriptive that I could picture it all in my mind like I had seen it myself–the memories all jumbled and mixed up in my mind: Zuli by the pool trunk painting and doing acrobatics, Kaia proudly leading the herd through the gate, the great Msholo playing with his Keeper, the doe being fed pellets by the Keeper, Zuli covered in a blanket of hay, little love bug Zuli tusk touching and loving everyone up, Kaia racing across the yard with the dust flying behind and screeching to a halt, the Keepers calling out at snack time, Msholo hoarding the feed boxes, Ndula comforting Umngani after Msholo stole her feeder box, Zuli trying to climb under his mom’s belly and then succeeding down by the pool steps!, the munchkin adventures of Zuli and Kaia and now hearing that Kami is a water painter too! Enchanting. Thank you, thank you one and all!
I did tune in for a few minutes a couple of days ago and Msholo was very happily digging into a new dirt pile with his front foot enjoying the feeling of it and then was tossing it up on his back in a leisurely fashion, Msholo-style, then he ambled over to what seemed to my puny human mind like a rockier, poorer quality dirt pile and began scooping dirt out of that– just thoroughly enjoying some alone time as he took his dust shower and taking the time to really dig and mix with his trunk deeper down into some softer, finer dirt, carefully stirring it and scooping it out. Then suddenly, Luti came up and just stood very close in a challenging stance right in front of Msholo staring at him and the look on Msholo’s face as he paused and stared at Luti was a look of complete exasperation, almost like, “You’ve got to be kidding me, I’m right in the middle of my bath”. It really was like someone being interrupted right in the middle of a really good bubble bath or just having taken the first few bites of a delicious meal they had taken some quality time to prepare. He tried to just stare Luti down to see if he could back him off, but no, Luti was wanting to challenge Msholo and test his strength against him. So Luti began to poke at Msholo with his tusks and do the dominant laying of his trunk on top of Msholo’s trunk (not in the loving tender way we see sometimes among the ellies). At first Msholo was very patient and tried to stay in his dust meditation, but Luti was insistent and kept poking and wrapping Msholo’s trunk and tusks with his trunk, finally Msholo began to lay his trunk on top of Luti, almost saying, “mellow out dude”, but Luti was determined he was going to egg him on to spar with him. Finally Msholo began to get annoyed and slowly began to tusk Luti back and wrestle a little with his trunk, pausing and trying to go wait and see if that would back Luti off, but no, Luti wanted to test his sparring muscles so he kept poking and trying to dominate Msholo with his trunk. Finally Msholo had enough and went at Luti, wrestling him with his trunk vigorously and tusking Luti back and then finally just completely shoving Luti backwards with two strong pushes out of cam view so I wasn’t able to see what happened next. Ah Luti, I really think you need to find a wonderful new home. Now that is a good example of a young bull who is ready to go…….I would just hate to see Gadze have to go with him as a companion because Gadze is enjoying his time with his family so much. Maybe Luti could go spend some time with Mabu who would not put up with his shenanigans at all.
Hi Lana, I’m doing okay – it’s the last weekend of the semester and I am working on papers – having a look at the Ellies is a nice relief :). I’m glad you enjoyed the info about the tusk trimming! The boys at Denver Zoo are not sedated at all, they do it all with reinforcement training and lots of snacks. You’re right that they really do need to trust each other, those relationships are SO important.
As to why M’sholo is so grouchy… I got the feeling that he may have wanted to interact with the two boys yesterday who were interrupting his feast, but they may have been scared of him. It was hard to tell if he was pushing them away or trying to say hello. I wonder if he also doesn’t like Luti because he is mean to Umngani, who we all know is his main gal pal. East Coast Fan, I did see M’sholo eating from two boxes this morning after he pushed Umngani away. He does outweigh everyone so his appetite must be enormous!
Caught a cute moment this afternoon where Zuli was laying on the ground and writhing back and forth on the grass like dogs do. What a character! Happy Saturday, everyone 🙂
East Coast! Yay!!! 🙂 Oh, this is a great analysis you wrote! Thank you for responding to my question and for giving us more insights… When you mentioned size differences, I suddenly realized (even though I recently SAID how big Msholo has gotten, I hadn’t thought about it beyond just mentioning it) that the size difference between a 2015 Msholo and Musi at about 10 years old, wouldn’t be anywhere near as great as the difference between a 2019 Msholo and Luti at just barely 9 years old. You are so right about that!
Interesting that Msholo’s appetite seemed to increase after that visit from Mabu. Does he hope to get bigger by the next visit? Did Mabu sneer insults about “skinny weakling” to him over the fence? Has he got a “fierce nervous hunger” due to anxiety about a bigger bull who’s “making the move” on the ladies he considers as “his”? Or is it simply that he IS getting bigger and bigger all the time so he is naturally needing to eat a lot more food to keep his furnace stoked? All or none of the above? I do love to theorize about “our” ellies! Maybe someone on the Elephant Team could tell us what Msholo’s 2015 weight was, and his current weight, and give us an idea about his food intake as it relates to that. I’m sure our Monitor would ask for us next week, but whether the Team would have time to answer is moot.
Hi there, Marula, my little busy bee! (My own wings are tattered by this time, but having asked about Msholo and Musi, I felt I needed to keep checking the blog anyway.) I just saw that you’d posted when I did my famous check-the-other-window before-you-post comment… That’s great that you saw Kami “painting.” So, we have three (if you count Sundzu who’s not at the Park any more) artists that we know of, all with different mothers, so if it’s genetic–which isn’t necessarily the case–they “get it from their dad” Mabu. We’ll have to watch carefully and see. I know I’ve seen various youngsters and even adults “doodle” in the dust with their trunks occasionally.
(There are elephants who have been known to paint–not the ones that were specifically trained to do it, ones who were just given the equipment out of keeper curiosity, as a possible enrichment–Siri, Ruby, and I think Carol Buckley said that Tarra did it for awhile until she had her wonderful new life at the Sanctuary and didn’t need a hobby any more to entertain herself? And I did read something that is supposedly true that happened in Africa but it was so astonishing–even to me, and I’m ready to believe any amazing-elephant-thing I find– that I’m honestly not sure if it IS true or was misinterpreted, so I won’t be irresponsible and pass it on. Sorry, now I’ve whetted a few people’s appetites and they’ll be as greedy as Msholo is lately! Maybe if I do some research I’ll find it mentioned somewhere else. If so, THEN I’ll pass it on!)
About 2 pm, I saw an ellie doing the water painting at the big pool–it was Kami! I noticed her standing the poolside facing towards the big rock wall. While she was taking a sip and also touching the big rock wall. First, I thought she was searching for something on the rock? She was very focused there for over 10 minutes or more. I kept looking very closely. Then, I saw some unique watermarks there! And she even lifted her right wet foot and pressed onto it. Wow, Kami. You’ve got the artistic inspiration too today?! Me too! She was enjoyable painting the rock canvas which was a bit overworked–all wet and dark now. That’s OK. It IS a beautiful picture to me. She IS a great artist. I wonder how many we’ve got in this herd? Zuli is the one as well.
Here, comes the little munchkins, Zuli and Kaia! Kami stopped painting and became their supervisor. Do mamas know that the water is so shallow today? or the babies just decided themselves to have a pool party on their own with 3 little ducks. ( after Kami left) –hey, little ones, have your mummies said okay to play in there?– I doubt it. Because as soon as Mama Ndula approached, they suddenly stopped and out of the pool! They pretend like nothing happened. Though they were so wet and obvious.
Later, I saw Zuli had a quick stop at the “nursing” station( of course, he was hungry) and off he went! He and Kaia went to a pile of logs to decide which was the best one to scratch their bodies with. –wiggle wiggle Then, they didn’t forget to put the baby-powder ( dust-bathing) themselves after the quick water-bath they’ve just had.
Hello there, East Coast! Thank you so much for your inputs in addition to Lana, Esampu and Nusu’s great topic of the day! All of your comments are absolutely intriguing and very educational. Thank you guys!!!
I agree that Msholo enjoyed a more active relationship with Musi than he has had with any of the current younger males. In earlier years the two M&M boys were often sparring and/or swimming with each other often throughout any given day. Although that may have been due to some extent to a somewhat less imposing physical presence of Msholo vs Musi at that time. I have always believed that Msholo’s overall dynamic presence within the herd became more laid back after his active student sparring partner Musi went to Fresno. Understandably Luti seems to be more timid with the current physical size of himself vs Hulk Msholo and therefore may be more reluctant to engage Gigantor head on. Also it seems to me that Msholo’s appetite for food started to increase during/after Mabu’s last breeding visit to SDZSP. Recently I have often seen Msholo chowing down alone with several feeder boxes within control of his trunk reach … while no other Ellie seems willing risk bothering him.
Hi, esampu, how are you… I was going to say “this afternoon” but I think it’s noontime there? Aha, “trams” is the right name for the little carts; now I can use the term without worrying. 🙂 I’ve wondered about the tusk-trimming, I didn’t think it was likely that they sedated them–even mildly–but I wasn’t sure how they’d do it (except, obviously, with a fully conscious elephant you’d have to have a “delicate touch”) so this was fascinating. Another example of how strong and important the emotional bonds between the elephants and the Keepers (and vets) are. I can see the ellies being calm about toenails, etc., but when someone’s working around your eyes and your very-important nose, you do need to have trust to stay quiet! It’s great for us to have bits of “inside information” from you about these things! Thank you!
Very interesting about Msholo’s being so extra-hungry . I wonder why? He’s usually quite patient about letting the others share or even steal (especially Umngani) food from him. Just having “a bad day” maybe. Or deciding it’s time to assert his rights as dominant male and remind everyone he can be “big and bad” when he wants to. As you say, he’s got a lot of sometimes-annoying “kids” around there and no “adult conversation” as a rule, and although he and Luti spar sometimes, I don’t think he’s satisfied with their “man-to-man” relationship. He did used to seem to spar more and enjoy it more when Musi was his opponent, as I think about it. Jan? East Coast? anyone from “Musi days”? Am I remembering that (re: Musi) correctly or is it one of those “distance [in time, here] lends enchantment to the view” things on my part?
Nusu, thanks for the insight! I am not surprised they trim Msholo’s tusks – I know they do that for the males at Denver Zoo as well – I was at the zoo recently when they were trimming of the boy’s tusks in their indoor barn. It took quite a while because they stop every few seconds. I think they do it because there are more hard surfaces in the zoo. Through my viewing of photos from Amboseli and other parks, it does look like asymmetrical tusks and and tusk injuries are pretty common. I think Zuli’s tusk fascination is due to all the reasons you mentioned – that his momma has tusks that are not like the other females and that M’sholo’s tusks are so much bigger. It will be very cute when the babies start growing them!
Lana, they do call those little buses “trams” – as in, one of the tours is called the “Africa tram” that takes you around the park’s African animal exhibits. Like Gawa & Nusu, we got to take one of those on our “elephant and friends” tour. The park has one safari tour that’s in a pickup truck, I think but we only had time to do one. Maybe next time 🙂
For this morning’s report, I saw something super interesting between Ndula and Mama U! Umngani was eating from one of the boxes and M’sholo stole one of them from her. There was another box very close by and she took that one, which M’sholo wasn’t happy with – it was hard to see because their bodies were covering the boxes mostly, but I think he must have tried to take that one too! Umngani must have rumbled, because Ndula stopped what she was doing and ran over to Mama U and gave her a re-assuring trunk to mouth greeting. Umngani then moved away from greedy M’sholo and took a box from Gadze or Neepo. Ndula seemed OK with that and walked back to her feeding box. It was really fascinating, I was so happy that Ndula gave her some comfort.
M’sholo is a hungry boy these days – last night, I saw him eating directly under the cam. Two younger boys joined him and I couldn’t quite tell if he was pushing them away or if he was just greeting them. He intertwined trunks with one of them which I thought would kick off a fight but the other boys quickly left. It looked like M’sholo just wanted to be alone, which makes sense – I can’t imagine being 28 and just having a bunch of kids around. And he can’t really hang out with the females his age because then they will have their kids around! Seems like M’sholo is in desperate need of some guy time!
Nusu, YES about the tusk-touching and about wild elephants knowing “their tusks are coveted.” Did you read Mark Deeble (“The Elephant Movie” was the working title of his project, I think it will finally be released soon as “The Elephant Queen,” not to be confused with the NatGeoWild documentary with the same name)–in his blog he tells about Satao trying to hide his tusks rather than his enormous body, and I’ve come across a couple of similar things, elsewhere, too. I’ve speculated about the adults at the Park telling their children about the past, and I even wrote about it (for myself, both a poem and a paragraph or two) playing off what the mother actually says against what she is thinking and remembering. I thought the mothers would tell their calves about the good things, but censor out the bad ones (as most human mothers would do, naturally protecting their “babies” from upsetting things, especially ones that are so horrific and serve no purpose to tell).
Perhaps-or-perhaps-not the grown-ups would be telling them the “bad stuff” when they were adults themselves and better able to understand (and less apt to have nightmares a la the Sheldrick orphans). Msholo’s tusks have indeed been trimmed–more than once, I think–Mabu’s too, if I recall. Of course we know they do “fix” some of the others when chipped, broken, etc. Beautiful Umngani’s tusks are not exactly the same length, but once upon a time they were, I saw when she had lost a little chip out of the very tip of the now-shorter one, and the Team took care of that problem before it had a chance to do any real damage. I suspect that when Ingadze’s “splayed” tusks get too long, they will trim his, too. You can see where it might be a real problem moving a large animal with out-thrust tusks through some gates, onto trailers, etc.–not just the logistics, but the very definite chance of damaging the tusk… By the way, when Neepo was only 5 or 6 months old–he did this several times and I even have a screen-print of one of them–he went through a brief phase of “making” a faux tusk for himself. Yes, I thought I was being over-imaginative the first time or two it happened, but it became clear that he WAS doing that and he was very fussy about the size, shape, etc. of the branch he chose–and it had to be one that the big ellies had stripped of bark so that it looked, on cam at least, as if it were white or white-ish wood. In my screen-print he’s bouncing along with it sticking out–at the proper angle, besides–and Khosi beside him; you could just about hear her saying: “What a beautiful tusk you have! Someday you’ll have tusks just like your father’s!” Yeah, okay, a bit fanciful maybe, but I still believe she was encouraging him the way you do with a clever toddler. 🙂 He didn’t usually “carry” it too long, I think it must have been uncomfortable to have it in there, probably sticking into his cheek no matter how he held it. He only did this for a month or two, but I never saw any of the others do it at all. Things like that are one of the amazing incidents you would probably never see anywhere else nor ever again, like Umngani and the hummingbird… But, as Kipling would say, “That’s another story.”
Marula, it was VERY sweet to read about the Keeper putting some of the pellets on the ground for the doe! 🙂
Thank you for answering my question about the carts! I was very impressed that they are electric–SDZSP really is “on the ball,” aren’t they?
I actually just realized the more likely reason Zuli is fascinated with tusks. He must have asked Ndula why her right tusk is so different than her left. Again, I wonder how much context was given in response, and if it included why Msholo’s appear to be trimmed as well. (Thx to the photos I took of him, I can see very clearly that the tips of his tusks have been altered.)
Hi Lana, the vehicles carrying visitors between the enclosures are elongated electric carts, they use for tours. The only noise they make is the irritating beep beep beep when they’re in reverse.
Re: Zuli,s tusk touching – I have a theory. I’m sure, like every adolescent boy, his jealousy of other ellies tusks got him in to a conversation with Ndula, where she assured him that he would get tusks in time. But I would venture to guess she gave him a bit more context as to what tusks mean to humans and why they all reside in a protected space (vs. the wild). From Daphne Sheldrick book there are numerous stories that make it brutally clear that elephants KNOW their tusks are coveted. You would too if you witnessed something firsthand. We know they have incredible memories, and we know they communicate, so you can bet word spread and it is a “known”. What I’m curious about is where was the line where Ndula decided Zuli is too young to know how dangerous it was for her family in the wild and what she witnessed. Because she knows Zuli is likely never to be in such a dangerous setting, would she leave that gruesome part of the story out, or would she be fully transparent. We probably will never know until we find a way to directly converse with these amazing creatures.
Gawa or esampu, what DO they call those little mini-buses that I keep saying are “trams”? Shuttles? or what? Just remembered I wanted to ask you about that so I can use the right term! Thanks!
A trunk-hello to Lana! Just a quick buzz from me.🐝 I saw one of the keeper gave the doe you saw in the afternoon, a couple of handful of pellets on the ground when both of them were at the large space area near the passageway. The doe came really close to him. Isn’t it sweet?
Two things I want to share!
This morning the ellies were waiting along the fence for the Keeper(s) to open the gate to the lower yard. I think it was Kaia (since Umngani was near) who went racing ahead of everyone towards the gate before it even opened; she wanted so much to be the first one through! And the others let her be the leader! I’ve read about this at Sheldrick’s, that the babies (and the smaller youngsters, at the Reintro Centers) consider it a wonderful privilege if the older ones let them “lead” as a special treat, and the older ones do that sometimes to make them happy, like when they lie down for the littles to climb on them. So Miss Kaia was Number One and she was thrilled, all I could see as she slipped in there and the others began to follow, was her little rear end, but I must have noticed something subconsciously–maybe just the way she held her tail and wiggled her bottom as she went!–because I could just feel her joy. She just felt SO special! (If it was Zuli, I apologize to him for the mistake. It wasn’t a close-up and my laptop screen isn’t as big as most. Anyone else see this who might know for sure?)
And this afternoon there was a mule deer in the lower yard with the ellies on the right side (cam-view “right”) of the Stonehenge, just meandering around there, sniffing the ground to see if they’d left anything she wanted to eat. Even Zuli didn’t bother her, but he was right close to his mom and Ndula may have warned him to behave himself. After a minute or so, the doe walked on off-cam, but came hurrying back a couple of minutes later and ducked under the back fence and away into the foliage beyond. I love to see them, especially if they go under-and/or-through the fence as if they haven’t got any backbone, just a smooth fluid slither and they’re off and away.
Gawa, Zuli TUSK-touching works okay, too–that’s equally cute, maybe even moreso. I always wonder if it’s the texture of the ivory, or they can feel vibrations through the tusk (particularly if the elephant is rumbling), or just “tusk envy” and admiration, or something mystical we’ll never know. It does seem from things I’ve read that the ellies themselves do attach some special significance to tusks. There’s a story the Jouberts–they do a lot of African wildlife photography, for those who may not know, including a couple of elephant films–tell about some tusks they found of an elephant who died of natural causes, and intended to bring to the authorities. It’s a long story and I can’t remember where I read it, but I’ll tell you if I manage to track it down. Also a story that Daphne Sheldrick told, about Eleanor and a poached elephant–pages 194-195 of her “Love, Life, and Elephants” memoir… Oh, wow, wonderful if you get a chance to see Musi… and his ladies. Wonderful to be going to see the sequoias, too, I can’t even imagine trees that size. Lots of lovely trees here in the East, some big ones, but trying to “project” that kind of height from looking at ours, my brain starts to fizz-and-freeze.
Marula, thank you for all those great descriptions of the Keepers at “snack time” with Msholo, Kaia, and my sweet Neepo. I loved the interaction between Msholo and his keeper, that was beautiful and funny both! Yeah, when I see how huge Msholo is now, it’s hard to think he will get even bigger! Hasn’t it been a real enrichment for us, to learn so much from Gawa+Nusu’s experiences at the Park? Now we know some of the “inside information” like how the Keepers need to have very strong throats to do those loud calls!
Hello everyone. Lana’s comment 5/9 was so fascinating which was about Kaia almost crushed into Ndula at lower yards. (Lana, I saw the smoke-trail coming from her. I’m pretty sure she made the skid mark there. What an engine she’s got!)
I wanted to share the interactions between the keepers and ellies which happened at the same time ans Lana mentioned about it too. I thought the keepers and ellies were having so much fun there. So here’s some in details.
It was such a hectic time of the day-“feeding time”. The Cam operator was trying to get the best view from everything going on at once! The bushy dark-beard keeper was with Msholo handing him whole carrots. That was when little curious Kaia came closer and did a trunk-hello to them. And quickly ran off.( I think that was when she accelerated to the lower yard) I really liked seeing their bond very much. While they were waiting for other ellies to move or the gate closing, the keeper was talking to Msholo and kept stroking his trunk so gently. And more carrots. Then, Msholo was asked to do a couple of tricks withe him. Did anyone else see Msholo lifted his left leg up? Probably did his the other leg but I couldn’t see. It made him look even bigger. And when he put his trunk up and kept it straight up high, he was almost able to reach the sky.
And the moment later, I saw the keeper chuckled, probably Msholo did something funny, then he playfully did 1-2-3 boxing pouches to the gentle giant’s trunk! Msholo was so happy! Then, the Cam moved and they were out of the screen. Lana told us that Msholo will become even bigger ellie, hopefully like Amboseli, Tim. I forgot that Msholo is still a young guy who is growing every day. Because he IS already so ginormous, you know!
The Cam operator was still showing the wall and passageway, waiting for someone? BAM! It was one of the keeper running the best he could to the left of the screen. He was holding a red bucket and yelling at someone.
Yes, we’ve seen Gawa’s video so we know how loud they are!
Just a second later, Neepo running so fast. He was trying to catch the keeper who was calling his name. “NEEEPOOOO~!!! Come!”(I’ll race ya!) The keeper was the one, who does some funny tricks with the ellies,“Oops, I just dropped my hat, can you get it for me?”-trick. Remember? We’ve seen him did that with Swazi at the barn recently?
And the third keeper who Kaia was spending her time with WAS of course, Keeper Evan👍
Good morning, Lana🌟🐝Thank you so much for the input of Umngani and Ndula. Much appreciated. I’m pleased that I had the same opinion.
Hello Gawa, I’m very happy to find you here🌼 Thanks you for the comment about “Chess”. I’m glad you liked it.☺️
You two are so lucky that you got to see Zuli, “the painter”. Also Gawa+Nusu saw him actually do so in person! How amazing! I have to keep looking for it very closely when he does. Or any ellies when they do the water painting!
Oops, meant TUSK touching by the little love magnet!
Lana, Nusu sends a rumble your way and trunk waves to all (same from me)!
Guess what? We might go check up on Musi in Fresno when we take a road trip to Yosemite’s Mariposa Grove soon! We didn’t “know” him before we started watching the cam but seeing videos of him as a youngster recently has us curious and wanting to send him some love and light.
Hi, Erin! Haven’t heard any “rumbles” from you for awhile. Good to have you “back in the action.” 🙂 That’s interesting about Birmingham. I’d read a bit and looked at a couple of YouTube videos about their “bull herd” a couple of months ago (in the midst of all the furor about Mac and Emanti), just out of curiosity. Hopefully speculation about this current snippet of news isn’t going to cause another uproar here! At any rate, it’s good for whoever the two boys are, wherever they’re from, that they’ll have each other for moral support in their new home, that much we can say with certainty. And the old bull, having already mentored some youngsters in the past, will be good to the newcomers and teach them what they need to know, just as Msholo does here. Msholo isn’t the father of these boys of “ours,” but he is wonderful with them.
Hello, Gawa! Good thing I checked the Blog on the other “window” or I’d have missed you! So you saw the “artist” too! Sundzu used to do that–water-paint with his trunk, real “brush-strokes” in an abstract composition–but I think he and Zuli are the only ones that I’ve seen do this. I’m so glad you saw it and had the same impression that he was “creating” something, not just messing-around. SO great that you got to see him doing this “for real,” not just on cam! (Yeah, it makes sense that Kaia might give it a try but not be “into it.” She’s too much of a live-wire to enjoy anything quiet for long! You know how some little kids sit and color, and other little kids tear around the house like whirlwinds?) Going to have to watch closely and see how much of this Zuli does… Oh, he’s just too adorable with the trunk-touching, he was doing some again today with… I think it was Khosi, one time, but not sure who the other one was.
Tell Nusu I send a “trunk hello” to him! 🙂
Been meaning to comment because y’all have been sharing such wonderful scenes! Thank you!
Marula, that chess game — pure genius! I just love how you package the Ellie’s antics within a beautiful gift box each time you share. You truly have a gift.
Lana, I saw exactly what you did the other day RE: the artist formally known as Zuli. Not only was he challenging himself with the climbing and balancing, he was also “painting” the cement with the water he slurped up with his trunk! We saw both babies doing this by the pool the day we were there and were fascinated by it. Zuli was much more into it than Kaia but she was def twining him on a smaller scale. I also thought Ndula was in a meditative state while he played by the pool area and because she seemed to be looking straight ahead for a bit, I thought maybe she was studying a hooman in the viewing area that was talking to her like we did. The Ellie’s def seem to do the “Do I know you?” look when you call their names.
Also took a few screen grabs of Zuli touching more trunks adoringly. Couldn’t tell who it was (only 1 tusk on right side) yesterday though and then today it was Ndula and she gave him the sweetest trunk hug after. Then, today, I saw him bumping trunks (2 bumps and 1 where he backed up and ran into him a bit!) with the big guy…Msholo. He is so very fun to watch!
I just read something interesting today after I searched for elephant on google. There was an article posted about the Birmingham Zoo. Seems their 18 year old male Callee will be on the move this year to a new home in search of some girlfriends. Also sometime this year this zoo will be lucky to receive two young African males. Seems their 38 year old male Bulwagi will be the only one at this zoo when the young guy gets moving. This is purely speculative and I have no knowledge of anything but maybe it might be Luti and Ingadze. The last time I watched the web cam there were still crates in the yard. Mac and Emanti are living the life in Texas so maybe Luti and Ingadze might be living it up in Birmingham.
Marula, I think you’re right that Umngani and Ndula are spending more time with each other than they did before they had their babies. It makes sense that they would “bond” more when they have little-ones the same age. It’s like that in the wild, too, which is why there are always claims that an ele has twins (which is in fact extremely rare)–two babies will be together with one of their mothers as if they were both hers. You can see how easy to make that mistake if the babies are so close in age and size! I would think that this is certainly one reason Umngani is calmer–added to the fact that her family is “rescuing” her from Luti more often lately, too. (And I can just hear Ndula commiserating with her about Luti: “I am so sorry, I just can’t seem to control that boy! He’s worse than his father!” Whoever his father was–a wild bull about whom we know nothing, darn it.)
Something happened that I didn’t see (but I thought afterwards it may just have been the tram en-route since it arrived right after), around the time that one of the Keepers was working with Msholo in the upper yard. Ingadze was in the lower yard in the background. Then the cam moved and I saw Ndula with Zuli down there, to the left (our left, viewing) of the “stonehenge.” Suddenly here came Kaia racing as fast as her little legs would carry her, clearly scared (or pretending to be? one can’t be certain with naughty babies)–she didn’t even slow down until she was practically crashed into Ndula, when she put on the brakes! (She was on the other side of Ndula and I don’t know if she left skid marks or not. 🙂 But she did stop very sharply.) Then she came back in view and had that “feigned fear” look with her head back and ears partly out, looking down her trunk at something. (I’m guessing it was the tram.) Then she turned around and all three of them headed towards the gate, but the trees hid them and they never did–then, anyway–come through the gate to “this” side. By then the tram had pulled up and stopped, whether it was the cause of her alarm or not. It may have been if she wasn’t close to an adult at the time she first felt the vibrations with her feet or heard the noise? I’m thinking that although they recognize the engines, maybe this time the engine wasn’t running as smoothly as normal, or maybe a different tram than the one they usually hear? I know they would get agitated every early-morning when there was construction up the hill (I think maybe Tiger Trail was being built at that time) and there would be a string of vehicles going by, some “heavy-duty” although not the big earth-movers and such, of course, those stayed on-site. They settled down fast enough afterwards but they did get hyper-alert temporarily. It took me awhile, back then, to form a theory about what might be bothering them. (And I could be wrong.)
I was watching the Keeper with Msholo and thinking how HUGE Msholo has gotten to be this past, uh, 8 years I guess since I first saw him. Not just taller, but also almost stocky with all the strong muscles he’s developed. He’s still got a way to go before he’ll look like Amboseli’s “Tim” or some of those bulls twice his age, but wow. And so gentle, so very gentle. Did anyone see that Instagram post of him with the two calves? It’s a somewhat older one at the Safari Park hashtag, not Pachyderm Pair–I just looked up the info, it was posted January 4 by… guess who? Yes, Keeper Evan! 🙂 He takes such great photos and videos!
Marula, I shall look for a bright star here… 🙂
aBrooklyn, how nice to see you back again! Wasn’t Zuli just adorable yesterday? or he IS every day 24/7-cuteness. You’re so lucky that you get to watch the ellies throughout your work day. My view time is very limited about 1 hour or so max. usually my breakfast time and lunch break. And then, I write(type)and post my story later at night. So I am depending on what my human herd share and really enjoy reading and discussing with them. I’m so thankful that I get to be in such a friendly environment. Thank you.
I can tell how lucky my day is from what the ellies show me that day. Does it mean my day is always happy and lucky? Because the ellies make me smile everyday! And you too, have a wonderful day!🥳
Lana, I’m so pleased to hear Ndula was comforting Umngani the day after Kaia was born, caressing through the fence…I got so emotional from reading it. They must’ve been so breathtakingly poignant and beautiful that you can never forget. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
Is it only me thinking that I’ve been seeing Umngani and Ndula together more often than before? -sharing foods, dust bathing, or just simply standing next to each other, enjoying mama to mama time. I think it was about the same tim when I started to see Kaia often stay with Ndula (and Zuli) or Ndula babysitting her with Zuli. Is this something to do with-Umngani has become a lot calmer and relaxed these days( from my impression of her)? And Umngani and Kaia too are getting a lot more loving and caring time together.
(Lana, It’s still pitch dark here and I’ve just found the bright star in the sky! 🌟🐝I’ve been wanting to grab it with my hand for so long. Thank you. I’m so over the moon right now. I’ll send mine to you later at night. So it’s likely that you’ll find it tomorrow? Thank you so much Blog Monitor, you’re amazing ❤️)
aBrooklyn (okay if I shorten it?)–your post went up while I was typing, I wasn’t ignoring you! I’m so happy you continue to watch and we’re always glad for anything you can tell us about the ellies, or discuss about what others have told. 🙂 I can just see the hay raining down on Zuli! I bet that was shortly before Marula saw him with hay scattered over his head and body… The babies are so cute when they have a “cloak” of hay sticking to them!
I have sometimes, not often, seen adults sleeping on the ground in the early morning hours (not usually during the day although it has happened once or twice)–just as it starts to get daylight, so probably they were lying down a bit longer than I actually saw. Usually there would be one adult, some calves, lying down and another adult or two standing dozing but acting as a sentry, I would guess. I even have a screen-print or two that I took several years ago, with all the calves (at that time) lying down, some part of their bodies touching another ele or ellies, but I think the two adults with them were standing up dozing on their feet; can’t remember… The day after Umngani had Kaia (I’m pretty sure it was that day, she was still separate from the herd at night in the small “corral”) I tuned-in before dawn–there was a not-bright light in that area and night-cam was aimed there in a mid-range distance, not quite close-up though. Ndula and Zuli (and some of the others, I saw eventually) were on this side of the fence keeping her company. She and Ndula kept touching each other through the fence, Ndula reaching in the most and surely comforting and soothing her, because then she lay down right there at the fence for five or ten minutes and had a little nap. It was very emotional to see how the two mothers acted with each other, and lovely to see that Umngani was able to rest and sleep for a little while.
Have an elephant-interesting day!
That little Zuli proves that the “character actor” can be as popular as the flamboyant “star” (Kaia), doesn’t he? Baby ellies are so fascinating to watch. The leg-crossing must have been priceless to see, with him repeating it over and over. Practicing to find the perfect position and foot? Just enjoying the exercise? Trying to decide which older ele’s technique to copy? Doing a little ele dance??? I do love to see them with a leg crossed, they look so content, it comforts me that they feel that way.
Now what will that little guy do today to make us smile or go “awww”?
Marula, I’m so glad you got to see Zuli’s pool-side games. That was really fascinating and cute, wasn’t it? (As for the “whisper,” I’ll do that later this morning. Never any pressure. Same with me, please.)
Good morning all and hello,
Thank you Esampu for the Emanti and Mac update!
I miss the trunk sparring fun between Zuli and Emanti, but I’m happy to see the boys are settling into their new home with a new friend(Tonya).
Although I do not post everyday, I do watch the live cam throughout my work day. I am fortunate to have two monitors with Outlook on one screen and the Ellies on the other. I also catch up on the days events by reading everyone’s post. Y’all are truly appreciated 🙂
Zuli sleeping under a pile of hay yesterday was too cute. Ndula ate hay from the food ball and then eventually started picking up scraps from the ground and off of the sleeping baby. I wonder if the adults sprawl out and sleep for at least an hour at night. I’ve read a post that described Msholo sleeping, but I haven’t been able to view the live cam early in the morning to catch a napping ellie. Anywho, I hope everyone has a enjoyable day….
A trunk hello to everyone! We are still on the same topic of Zuli! You like that, don’t you? Here’s what I saw today 5/8 at noon. He was taking a nap but got woken by Nisa and Kaia. He stood up but still half sleep. Zuli, usually the Love-magnet was the Hay-magnet this time. He had picked up hay that Ndula dropped while eating which was here and there on his face and body. He went closer to the feed ball and took a mouthful. He was nibbling slowly with a stick of hay hanging out. As I saw Khosi yesterday crossing her back legs while she was eating, Zuli too crossed his right back leg over his left. But changing his mind quickly, he then switched over to the other one. And did that again and again for four times! What were you doing, Zuli? Maybe he couldn’t decide which leg feels more “right” for him to cross with? He made me crack out laughing. He looked so funny doing like that as wiggling his bottom too. More and more I try to figure out what Zuli does and means to do, I’ll be puzzled by it if I look for the answer from the elephants behavior and gesture book. Because Zuli’s got his own dictionary to follow. He’s so unique and out of ordinary!
I looked up what it means when elephants cross their back legs. I was so glad to find out that it means ellies are happy and relaxing, truly content. Because that’s what SDZSP ellies do all the time! With their eyes, half closed which is another sign of relaxing and calm state. Esampu taught me that before and today she told me that Ndula was sleeping on her feet. What? Do ellies sleep as they’re standing? I didn’t know that.
So, my question was -was Zuli “calm and relaxing” back then?
What I saw Zuli crossing his back legs over and over, plus his bottom wiggling looked to me as if he just wanted to pee!
Lana, good morning!:) yap, I saw his strange little game too! When he was trying to mimic what Msholo does to reach the tree branch, I was sending him a big cheer hoping that he would stand up. He DID!, didn’t he? And it was the same spot where the big guy usually do his browsing. It was so amusing to see him entertaining himself while Ndula was sipping water for a very long time. ( daydreaming is the perfect word as Lana used) He did try a various things-“games” which he invented all by himself. I wonder what was on his mind. So fascinating. I also got surprised to see him go under Ndula’s belly so fast and she didn’t have to move at all. I thought “Did he find a secret passageway?”then I realised as you did. You are so right about him, Zuli the Conqueror! Soon, he will show Kaia how to play the games and the two little munchkins will head to the adventure together!
(A little 🐝 wants to whisper only to Lana’s ear👂 . Re:🐌 Believe it or not, I found a tiniest snail on my veggie leaf yesterday evening. It was only 0.3 inches big! What a strange encounter because I hardly see them in my garden at all. And you mentioned about Issa’s snail today! Wow, I take it as a “Go” signal. He was on the baby leaf which was on the palm of my hand. How incredibly small, slow and shy he was! And I asked him how long he would take to get to the mountain top as I quoted the poem to him. He went for hiding in his shell. If we waited for Issa’s snail to climb on the top, which is 12,389 feet high-OMG!, would take him forever… and too harsh to make him such things. My suggestion is-Can we change our view into something more optimistic?-From the snail to the stars✨ “Summer night–even the stars are whispering to each other!” We do miss our kaleidoscopic conversations, don’t we? Even the stars are enjoying each other’s company. My mind has set a long long time ago. So what are we waiting for? The timing is in the palm of your hand now. I do look forward to the day I receive your email. Though, no pressure, please. )
Sorry, I forgot–esampu, at one point he walked right under Ndula’s tummy and I said “How on earth did he do that so easily?” and then realized that her hind feet were a step higher than her front feet, so there was more “clearance” underneath!
Did anyone else see Zuli playing his strange little game around 5:30 Pacific? He was at the upper-yard pool with his mother, and they were drinking for awhile, but as she stayed there sipping and daydreaming, he only drank a little more and then decided to have some fun. Evidently they had established the fact that he was not to go into the water. He kept alternating the things he was doing, but did all of them several times. He would stand “sideways” with his left and right hind feet on different steps. He would lean against the “cliff” and rub his cheek or his trunk all over it, when using his trunk I think it was wet but hard to tell. He would turn and push his curled trunk and his forehead against the step above him as if to have a “push-game” with another ele his own size. He would try to get on his hind legs against the lower part of the wall, using his trunk curled almost over the top of it for balance and his front feet against the wall–and he did finally succeed! he was right up there “straight” the way Msholo does it with the higher wall!–though only for a few seconds, it was quite a feat for a baby ele. At one point he had his ears cocked forward and his trunk stretched out as if he heard or smelled something–real or imaginary. Ndula wasn’t worried about him at all; she may have been glancing at him sideways from time to time without moving her head, to keep track of what he was up-to, but she just let him play. Finally she ambled off towards the gate direction. He stayed a little bit longer by himself, then walked all along the steps in the same direction but “down” where the slope is (that we can’t see from the cam but know-of from videos) and climbed up the steepest part of that to get out (challenging himself again, as he did at the wall) and went to join his mother at last. I’m sure it was a very daring and dramatic adventure he was picturing in his mind! “Zuli the Conqueror!”
esampu, thanks for the info! I was so happy to see that–and what a nice pool they have!
Marula, “good morning!” 🙂
Hey Esampu, I like you lots! Thank you so much for the heads up. I totally agree with you. Emanti is loving the water, isn’t he? I bet he’s already done his swimming today with his bestie, Mac. 😁
The Caldwell Zoo has posted a new video of Emanti, Mac and Tanya swimming on their Facebook page. That’s a good sign, I think! I hope we get more updates from them.
esampu, I saw the last part of (?)Kami lying on the dirt-pile, too–I don’t know who it was, either! Re: Zuli trying to sneak under his mother’s tummy–I think he keeps trying from force of habit, since he used to be small enough to go under-and-through there and I bet he can’t figure out why he doesn’t fit any more! (Plus it was the “shortcut” from one milk source to the other.) He may tap her thinking she could “lift it up” to let him through!? Or, of course, he may just be enjoying being a pest!
Marula, my buzzing little bee, what a lot of good viewing you had and shared yesterday! I “watched” the sparring party through your eyes almost as clearly as if I’d seen it myself, and laughed at Khosi claiming the dirt-pile by smooshing her face into it! Yes, I did like the epilogue with Neepo and Nisa best, you know me so well. 🙂 I miss you, too. Hopefully we’ll get that little snail to the mountaintop… I thought about the pink -blossomed tree but there are several things it could be and I have no idea which one–especially being in southern California, where it might be nothing I’m familiar-with from around here (could be something sub-tropical or tropical).
Right now Zuli is with his mother, but Kaia and a babysitter were there for a few seconds when I first tuned-in. They left and I got the impression from the way he half-turned that Zuli might have liked to go catch up with them but Ndula wanted him to stay with her.
Thank you, Marula for that sweet message 🙂 I love being on the morning beat! Glad you enjoyed the pictures, I take lots of screenshots so maybe I will post them all once a month.
Today, the gang was all scattered about the big yard. One of the bigger ellies (maybe Kami?) was laying on her stomach on top of the dirt pile by the fountain/small yard. I wasn’t sure why she was in that position, but she got up in a few minutes. Maybe she was dusting herself? There was nothing else new except Zuli once again was trying to sneak under Ndula’s tummy by tapping on it with his trunk (as Gawa noticed). He finally got to the other side of Ndula and began to nurse. I did spy Kaia trying to interrupt him but I think Khosi moved her out of the way to leave him alone. Khosi is the world’s best babysitter, I think. I also spied Ndula sleeping! She was standing up and had her eyes closed. It’s so rare to see them sleep.
Marula, I do think I saw a part of the big sparring party you saw yesterday. I tuned in for a few minutes and all the sub-adults plus Msholo were playing and sparring. It was a little overwhelming to see! Right now, the gang is in the lower yard. Ndula, as usual, is foraging from the greens in the middle of the two yards. I’ve noticed she and Swazi really love those.
Hello everyone! I’m happy and buzzing here🐝
5/7 When I first tuned in about 12:45 pm (PDT), I was watching Khosi peacefully munching hay while crossing her rear legs. The lower yard looked very calm as the Cam showing only her…BAM!!! All of a sudden, Msholo and a smaller ellie,who were sparring, made a thunder-like appearance and disappeared to the left (off-cam) in the blink of an eye. Whoa, it got me startled. Though it was only a prologue. After five minutes of silence, the mystery boy and Msholo came back again, it was Luti. Msholo pushed him further right to the stone cave with such a speed. What an action movie! The film director (the Cam operator) was following them closely. Wow, the whole bunch of ellies were also gathering at the big dirt-pile in front of the cave. I saw Kami on her belly like a turtle, the Umngani brothers, Khosi and Luti joined in too.
I see, the keepers left Msholo in charge of all the youngsters, except for Nisa. He was doing the “Big Papa” role so greatly. They were definitely cutting loose from their mamas, who were at the other side at that time with their babies. Kami started to spar with Luti while she was still on her belly. She wrapped her trunk over his face and it started to look very tangled up because Gadze wrapped his trunk over her eyes as well. Yay! Group hugs❣️Neepo was eagerly waiting for his turn. Kami then stood up and did the proper pushing-game with Luti. Gadze never disappoints his younger brother. Now the Umngani boys were happily playing together. Look, the empty dirt-pile…Khosi did a big face-dunk! “The dirt is all mine!”
Kami looked like a boy playing so hard with her brothers. She changed her sparring partner now to KHOSI! It was my first time to see the girls pushing and sparring together. They seemed to have such a blast as they were letting inner-tomboy out at that moment. Everyone continued playing for over 30 minutes until the keepers brought yummy snacks for them. At one point, it looked very chaotic because Msholo with Luti, Gadze with Neepo, Khosi and Kami were so focused on sparring each other and got very close to the others. How thrilling it was!
The film director was so satisfied with the scene( so was I!) that decided to film on the other side, the upper yard…
In contrary, Lady Umngani was beautifully strolling and heading to the fountain.
~Epilogue~
Neepo didn’t let Nisa down. I spotted them pushing and sparring together at the upper yard much later evening. They were playing by the small feed ball with a log. They took a turn to get a mouthful of hay while they were playing. They looked so affectionate each other twining and putting each other’s trunks over their heads. I was so happy to see Neepo who was so gently playing with her. And Nisa, on the other hand, looking absolutely ecstatic with him. The End.
While the ellies are taking a curtain call together-a big applause for the ellies and the Cam operator!!!, please allow me to shout out to my close friends here. Thanks.
Easampu, my favorite morning reporter🤗I loved your latest screen grabs (5/5)with your news. I also enjoyed playing “who’s who” game myself which is a brain training for an elephants lover. Thanks you for your ellies story which I enjoy every day👍
Gawa, thank you so much for the video of Mama U and Kaia nursing(5/6). It’s amazing to see her using her trunk-fingers. Nusu did such a great job of capturing the perfect moment. I hope your hummingbirds are making you smile.😘
Jan, I miss you. A big trunk waves to you and \o//o\\o/!!!✨🦅seen him yet?
Northern California, I’ll wrap my thoughts with the luminous fibre and let Pacific wave to take it over to you. 🐋🐬
Lana, I missed you already. I bet you liked the epilogue the most, yes? I look forward to seeing you here tomorrow.🌷 🐝❤️
Blog Monitor, I was so pleased to hear that you’re so kindly supporting our friendship. Thank you. I thought you’re very generous person. Thank you very much for looking out for us.😁🌟
Marula, yes I am completely hooked! I call it my favorite television show 🙂 I’ve seen M’sholo and Umngani in very close postures before and it’s so romantic. That has to be something unique to captive elephants – I don’t know if adult male and female elephants in the wild develop close relationships. But, they have been through so many things together including those moves from Africa when they were young. I know the Sheldricks talk about elephants having PTSD and I wonder if Mama U or Swazi has it.
I was actually heading home from visiting my parent’s. I spent most of the time doing school work, but I checked in with the ellies every once in a while.
Nothing out of the ordinary happened this morning. Currently, it looks like the elephants may have gotten a hose down as the top of their bodies are wet. I am glad because I was noticing how filthy they were earlier, completely covered in dust. I know they are elephants and they’re not supposed to be “clean” but it was pretty remarkable. Looks like everyone got a bath!
Hello, Esampu! You are so EEE🐘 (Escondido elephants enthusiast)Even you were up in the sky, you were totally hooked with the ellies world. You must’ve been in the zone of such a tranquillity watching over Msholo like that. Where were you off to anyway, an adventure?
It was like watching the soap opera, wasn’t it? I couldn’t take my eyes off them. Oh, drama, drama. I hope it wasn’t so serious to Umangani and other ellies at all as it was to us.
Lana, I could picture so perfectly of Kaia, putting her trunk out and said hi to Msholo. The way she greeted him made me smile. Then, she hurried to her mummy just to fill up her tummy 😋. And off she goes. It’s so interesting to compare her to Zuli. He is so determined to try getting some attentions from his brothers and Msholo. He doesn’t give up and challenge himself up to the big boys which is so adorable. On the other hand, she’s so interested in her own Kaia’s world, which naturally draws everyone into, especially Zuli. I loved that she followed Msholo by herself leaving Mama U behind and went off to play with Zuli. Gawa would say “That’s Little Miss Independent for ya!”
Msholo IS such a gentleman. He often gives up his food and lets someone have it instead. How romantic they were together- her leaning against his chest and then how cheeky young Umngani was! So funny. Well, Msholo does have a soft spot for a beautiful lady. Can’t blame him though.
I have a little question to ask. Can anyone please tell me what the name of the pink flowering tree is???which I can see far behind the Elephant Valley. It must be difficult for us the Cam viewers to identify it. Because it looks so tiny from “here”. Though I can see it’s very bright in pink. It’s been blooming for a month now. First, I thought it was a jacaranda tree. But I was wrong because it flowers in July. It’s not a Cheery blossom either. Hmmm,🤔 what is it? Thank you very much in advance. Please solve the mystery flower for me.
I’m very interested in flowers and plants (also insects) too which SDZSP has got an excellent selection. I do enjoy reading the blogs and browsing Instagram.
Marula, thank you for that beautiful re-telling of the Days of Our Elephant Lives! I love all elephants, but I can not deal with Luti right now! He is such a pain. Right now, I’m on a flight and watching M’sholo in the middle of the yard calmly eating as the sun goes down in Escondido. I love how he “mixes” the food before he eats it. Ndula sometimes does this, too. What a beautiful sight. Have a wonderful evening, everyone!
Marula, that was an absolutely fascinating scenario with Umngani and the others!–and you told it so well, so dramatically! How lucky we are that you saw it from start to finish… I just saw a much calmer situation (around 5:00 PDT). Umngani and Msholo were at the top of the upper-yard hill, she was eating from the ground a few yards away from him, he was eating from one of the food-boxes. After a little bit, Kaia came hurrying in from off-cam, pointed her trunk at Msholo (I’m sure she uttered some kind of greeting), but it was clear that she wanted to nurse RIGHT THIS MINUTE, as she continued to her mother. Of course Umngani put her leg forward. After Kaia had a little bit, Umngani moved closer to Msholo–and Kaia nursed some more. While she was nursing, Umngani snuggled closer and closer to Msholo until their shoulders were pressed against each other and she was leaning against part of his chest. Then Umngani stole Msholo’s food-box, the minx! She only pulled it away and ate right there, and he kind of gave her a sideways look but he calmly began eating the fallen alfalfa on the ground. She ate a few more mouthfuls and then she reached over to give him a trunk-kiss before she continued eating. He ate a bit more off the ground and then meandered downhill almost out of cam-sight, with Kaia trotting along behind–she did disappear off-cam. Umngani continued eating, totally serene. Since the top of Msholo’s head remained on-cam, I’m pretty sure he was eating again, too. Don’t know where Kaia ended-up, probably pestering Zuli to play with her now that she’d refueled and was ready for action!
At 2 PM, Everyone was at the barn and small fountain. Kami, the Umangani brothers, Khosi and Luti were at the fountain having a feast drinking and eating. Some of them brought a couple of hay boxes along so it was like a restaurant. Ndula, Zuli and Kami were at the left-hand side behind them. Msholo was facing at the bar fence at the very corner of the barn. And there was Umngani standing not so far from him with Kaia nursing.
Just the moment I saw Khosi touching Luti’s face but he shook it off and made his move towards Mama U. She noticed him but couldn’t move because Kaia was still nursing. Then, Khosi quickly went over between them and persuaded him to do pushing game but he wasn’t interested. He started pushing Mama U with his tusks. Mama U was retrieving. Khosi tried again to go around and squeezed herself between them. And this time little Kaia copied her big sister and did the same thing. The girls cleverly moved their bodies where Msholo was standing so that they could make Luti sandwiched between Msholo and them. Luti took a few steps forward and out his trunk very straight out to reach Mama U, but couldn’t. She was standing motionless but her right foot was just off the ground. It seemed to me that she was figuring out the next move.
Khosi decided to take Kaia out of it and went near Ndula.
Now, there was tension among Msholo, Umngani and Luti who were positioning themselves at the triangular shape. Maholo was facing the two but just standing there. Umngani looked beautifully statuesque who was literally like a stone cold statue, not moving a thing. Luti was only looking at her but surely feeling Msholo’s gaze. With just one wrong move, Luti knew he would create a fuss.
After a long pause, Luti turned around and went over to Gadze and Neepo and gave them a shove to get the best position himself and started drinking.
As if someone pushed the “play” button, Umngani softened herself up immediately. I saw her trunk moving and her tail swishing.
It was like a Chess game. Umangani was Queen and Msholo was King. The Queen was challenged by the opponent, Night, Luti. As much as I wanted King to save the Queen but he doesn’t make his move easily. The Bishop, Khosi and Pawn, Kaia tried to save her though it wasn’t the best move. The Bishop Khosi, of course, had to save the precious Pawn, Kaia. However, the two Knights, Gadze and Neepo saved the Queen instead and ended the nail-biting situation. The opponent, Luti resigned. So it was Stalemate and the game ended in a draw.
Now, I see Umngani very relaxing with Kaia at the upper yard. Whereas, Luti and Gadze at the other side.
So bummed I missed that magic moment between Zuli the love-magnet (luv that nickname for him, Marula!), and main man MSholo. But I did get to see him trying to squeeze under his mama this morning, and that was very fun to watch. (I think it was raining there this morning.)
esampu, did you see when he was using the tip of his little trunk to tap Ndula’s tummy while he was under there? He’s the best. 🙂
I also loved hearing about Kaia protecting her mama but I wish I better understood WHY Umngani is on the receiving end of so much harassment? Did I read here that Musi used to go after her too? Is it boyhood crushing on her or tied to her “lower rank?”
In case anyone missed it, here’s a link to the photo of Kaia and her mama nursing: https://www.instagram.com/p/BxDJs_hgeKl/
It’s almost 1 pm PDT. I just turned in and saw the keepers cleaning in the lower yard (Thank you for your hard work!) and Ndula and Zuli with his babysitter, Kami in the other side. I think they’ve just had a feeding time.They were busy searching yummy veggies and enrichment pellets on the ground.
Hello and happy Monday to you too, Esampu! How super happy I was to find you here first in the morning and to read your newsletter. The news of Zuli was the best. He’s such a busy boy from morning to night with full of wonder. It’s very hard to keep up with him😁It instantly got me smiling when I read yours. And even more, how cool it was that I got your morning report with your latest screen grabs together! Thank you🌼🐝 You just made my day.
Lana, your soft rumble gently woke me up. Thank you 🌟
Wow, you’ve caught the best moment with Msholo and Zuli, haven’t you? How lucky you were!🍀 Seeing something like that is surely the lucky sign of your day ahead.
I think Zuli’s found the most fun and challenging game to do, which is to wrap and hold Msholo’s tusk-tip with his fingers. So lucky of Zuli today too that the gentle giant took his time and let him play the trump-bump for a while. Maholo is awesome 😎 👍
esampu, Zuli got a (small but definite) consolation-prize just now. Poor little guy just wants attention–as you say, like a toddler–ANY attention, even being scolded or told to go away, is better than none! The babies always look so terribly downhearted when no one will play with them, don’t they? Anyway, just now he and Ndula were leaving for somewhere and Msholo came along headed in the same direction. Zuli paused almost in front of him, and the big guy stopped. Zuli lifted up his tiny trunk–how can it stretch that long?! (yes, I know the anatomy, but still amazing to see)–and wrapped just the fingers around the tip of Msholo’s left tusk in greeting and admiration. Msholo had his head in “walking position,” not lowered, at the time so a higher reach for a baby. Then Zuli went and stood in front of Msholo, facing him, and bumped his trunk, which was probably like bumping a padded wall. Msholo sort of bumped back and at the same time pushed sooo gently, but of course Zuli involuntarily backed up a few steps from the momentum. Then Msholo started walking again and Zuli turned and went too. Presumably he caught up with his mother off-cam. But, wow, someone really noticed him!–and it was his hero! I bet he was thrilled!
“Hello” rumbles to Marula and Northern California and all the rest of the “herd!” Thanks again for the Morning News, esampu! It started my viewing-session off “right.” To our dear Monitor and Elephant Team and Cam Operators, have a lovely morning–it’s already afternoon of a sunny day here, almost Southern California weather.
Good morning and happy Monday! Zuli was being quite annoying this morning, which always makes me laugh. He was trying to get under Ndula’s belly, which Ndula did not like. She kept trying to gently move him so he would nurse. Finally, she got into the right position for nursing but he didn’t seem interested. I think Ndula is tired of Zuli pretending to want to nurse – I spied him trying to push ndula’s leg out of the way a few days ago and she wouldn’t budge. Oh, toddlers.
I felt bad for Zuli a bit later, however – he was in the rock castle in the small yard with Luti, I believe or another older boy and he was trying to play with him. The older boy gave him a shove with his trunk which I think was just too rough for little Zuli. Zuli looked down for a bit before picking up a branch to play with. This was in the morning when the herd was seperated so he couldn’t go grab Kaia.
You are quite right Lana. I think it’s a bit of both- Umngani is calmer and be able to have time to be herself “ loveing and caring” and also Kaia’s learnt how to be loving and caring too from her brothers and sisters and of course, mostly from the love-magnet, Zuli! 🥰
Oh, I loved hearing about Kaia “protecting” her mother! They are all doing what they can lately, most of the time, to help her. Baby Neepo used to do what Kaia did, when it was Musi who was doing the harassing. Seeing how they are all being protective, it’s just what the Elephant Team told us ages ago, that they (the Keepers) try to let the ellies work out their social problems for themselves whenever possible. We’ve seen one or another of Umngani’s family “step in” off and on, but the past week or so they seem to be really “rallying to the cause”–and Msholo, of course!
Does it seem to you that Kaia is spending more time close to her mother lately, now that Umngani is calmer, or is it just me imagining it?
Hey, Lana❤️How happy to hear from you! buzzz🐝 We were talking about (typing) the same subject at the very same time. Of course, with your super fast robot-fingers🤖, your comment was up before mine. I’m so glad you shared with us about Gadze. Let’s keep up the uplifting spirit of sharing our ellies stories here!!!
It was 1:30 PM PT. Mama U with Kaia was eating from a hay box in front of the mini stone shelter by the barn( we can’t really see the cave itself though), Luti walked towards her and I could tell her agitation from her body gesture. Just as he started to change into his pestering mode. Kaia moved and put herself between them. I was really amazed by her action but at the same time, I held my breath for what he was about to do next. Surprisingly, the little defence wall stopped him going further. I saw Mama U already had moved right between the two big logs for escape. Kaia was still zigzagging in front of him until she saw her mum decided to leave and quickly followed her. They headed to the big cave at the upper side where Msholo and Khosi were at.
Lana, (re: Yesterday’s Luti and Koshi) I missed what you saw. I thought you might like to hear what I saw today so I posted to share with you, all the Umangani supporters. We’ve been seeing others standing up against Luti’s pestering.-With Khosi’s gentle protest, baby Kaia’s bravery, the Umngani brothers saying big “No!” to the much bigger ele and the Superhero, Msholo. I hope they’re making things easier for Mama U and she’s feeling better with their supports.
Thank you very much for sharing the Khosi and Kami story (tusk surgery years ago)with us again. You know, that’s my favourite one😁
Hi, Marula! A “hello” rumble and a trunk-hug! I missed it all, too, even though I kept checking the cam every hour or so. Haven’t even seen a stray streamer yet! Hopefully someone DID see it and will tell us about it… All I’ve seen all day is ellies eating. I’m just happy to see them at all, of course, but it’s 🙁 when interesting things happen in between my viewing times. Especially when I’m checking fairly often.
Sometime late yesterday, Luti was again contemplating pestering Umngani. This time it was Ingadze who defused the situation, he got Luti involved in a pushing game just as Luti was starting to head that way. Guess who got pushed right off-cam? On the other hand, it wouldn’t surprise me if Gadze made a deliberate retreat to get Luti farther away from temptation. In any case, Umngani was left in peace, that was the important thing!
Right now (5:00 EDT) I see the whole Umngani family lined up at the wall although no Keepers in sight. Gadze just reached over to give Neepo a little pat. At least I think it’s Neepo, I can only see a glimpse of one tusk but pretty certain it’s too thick to be Khosi’s. I wonder why they’re waiting there like that?… Aha! A Keeper! Now what will happen next?
A big trunk hello to you all! It’s just passed 12 pm in Escondido. I tuned in a little bit late so I probably missed a lot of excitement, but I saw a red and green ribbon tapes were twisted around the big tree log in front of the pool ( no water at the moment) I saw more of them here and there on the ground. (I remember Gawa said ellies can only recognise the colour red and green.)
Gadze was cheerfully carrying a green one with his mouth which was fluttering in the breeze as he went along.
I hope my hooman herd is having a wonderful weekend too🐝
Marula, thanks for the heads up – I saw the photo and it was so beautiful. Kaia is so gorgeous.
Speaking of photos, I’ve uploaded some of the more interesting ones here on imgur: https://imgur.com/a/siHQqBs
Enjoy!
Thanks, Marula, that is indeed magical! He must have been thrilled to get a picture as “perfect” as that!
I’ve found an amazing picture of Kaia at #SDZSP Instagram! (it’s the 332.2 k post one) You have to do a bit of scrolling but it’s worth trying. The picture is at 26th at the left-hand side now. (Nusu’s Msholo’s video is at 15th. Almost there!) Kaia is standing in front of the pool, the reflection of her is absolutely magical indeed!
“Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all.”
Jewel, that must have been wonderful to see Zuli playing with the box! As Marula says, the Keepers may have put something on it to make the game even more stimulating. The ellies do love those boxes, they had an absolute “festival” one year with boxes at Christmas, the Keepers had made fancy things like a snowman with three sizes of boxes! I can’t remember now what the other two or three things were, probably one was like a giant gift-box with some kind of bow. (They love streamers, too, if you’ve seen them with those?) Thank you so much for sharing!
Marula, you saw that too? You two lucky people! I missed it by about 5 minutes, apparently! Aww, Zuli coiled around Ndula’s foot–that would melt me, too… Re: “inch by inch,” I’m fine either way, too, and I’ll wait for Issa’s method unless you change your mind, okay? We might even combine both systems eventually. 🙂 Or not.
esampu, it’s very poignant. I think, though, it was exactly what you suggest, that they were already gradually separating them, and that was a good thing because it shows how they slowly began to prepare them way ahead of time. Oh, Zuli sparring!–I’ll just bet the other ele was indeed teaching him! Wonder who it was… Neepo? Though the girls might indulge him, too, especially that once-tomboy Nisa!
This was very interesting, around 12:30 PDT:– Luti (I didn’t know who it was at first), Kaia, and Khosi were at the waterhole-fountain. Khosi was touching Luti’s face (I thought at first it was Ndula and Zuli with Khosi) and forehead with her trunk, which I found strange since I believed the other ele was Ndula. Especially when the other ele did a head-shake of annoyance! Then I saw that Umngani was off to the right… and the other ele shifted around and I saw from his tusks that it was Luti! Khosi had surely been trying to persuade him not to be “unpleasant,” I think. But it looked like he’d decided he was going to head for Umngani. THEN, before he got anywhere, Msholo appeared from beyond Umngani, higher up the slope. And Khosi curled her trunk around Kaia to make sure she stayed with her and didn’t get mixed up in any possible conflict. Msholo sort of ambled closer to Luti, I think Luti was going to do something unwise, because Khosi left Kaia and went to Luti and deliberately shoved him closer to the fence, and then stepped forward to be between him and Msholo! And Luti backed away off-cam. And I didn’t see what next because I had to go answer the phone. Anyone else see this or the before or after of it?
Hi Jewel, we were just watching the same things😄They surely did look like they were onto some investigation! I think the box which they completely tore into pieces was just empty one. But maybe the keeper might put some sweet scented spice on it or peanut butter?
It’s almost 11 am in Escondido. Ndula stretched her trunk to get something on top the Stonehenge cave at the lower yard. She was determined to find something up there like a treasure hunter. Zuli was by her side thinking “ I can not copy that, Mum. But I’ll try the technique later on the root stump.”
(Re: Issa’s 🐌 ) inch by inch, but slowly slowly. It’s totally up to you and I can wait like I said before. Also I take this not temporarily method.
The swimming party I saw yesterday was referred to “water”
Emanti and Mac. I thought you would be able to guess. I said “I’m not good at ID ing the ellies. (A lie ) The ellie on the left-hand side was particularly enjoying “the pristine WATER” Get it now?
I wish I had seen Ndula and Zuli in the golden twilight. It sounds so magical. I’ve seen a similar one awhile ago. Just before sunset, I saw Ndula eating from the feed ball and Zuli was napping right next to her. (I think the feed ball with the tree stamp by the gate is her favourite spot.)For a moment later, Zuli stood up as if he remembered something. He took a couple of steps to his mum still half sleep and laid down again. This time, he coiled up to Ndula’s foot, his trunk also touching her. It reminded me the study research Lana told us that baby ellies had some body contact average of every 45 seconds. Zuli isn’t a tiny baby anymore, but still he feels that he needs to be attached his mum while he sleeps. I was just lost in that moment and already melted by watching him sleep. The honey-amber like sun was warmly enveloping the mother and son.
Cardboard box: I tuned in around 11 am PST to see Swazi and Q by stone hinge eating around a small cardboard box. They left and Ndula and Zuli came over. Zuli totally explored the box, putting his trunk in the open top, lifting it, carrying it along, kicking it with his front feet, putting it on his head a couple of times, Adorable. Mama picked it up and took a bite out of it which opened the box up to a straight sheet of cardboard, Zuli tried to carry that but it was too long. Finally they broke it into two pieces and he carried a small piece. Mama ate some more of the box before leaving it. Meanwhile Mama U came over and began picking something up from the original area that the box was in. Whatever was in that box was really special! Does anyone know what it was?
Not to make us sadder, but I was looking through my photos of my SDZSP trip back in December and noticed I caught a photo of Mac and Swazi. They were greeting each other through the bars of the small yard. I remember now that emanti and mac were both in this area, perhaps to get them used to being separated?
On happier topics, I did catch Zuli and one of the sub-adults sparring – it looked like the older one was trying to teach him strength training. Very cute.
Northern California, it will probably be awhile before you actually read this… Wasn’t it fun to learn we were both watching Ndula and Zuli in the golden twilight? As for the rest: I’ve noticed off and on that Nisa has been undecided about whether to stay with Swazi or go with her mother; also noticed that sometimes Swazi is tagging along in the background when Nisa is babysitting. I honestly can’t remember if that was often the case before, and we’re just hyper-alert to it now because we’re subconsciously looking for that kind of thing. It’s no stretch of the imagination that they both miss Mac, Nisa probably less than Swazi but she would, elephant-like, be tuned in to her mother’s emotions. The Kami-Umngani-Khosi thing is no surprise to me; we do know that Kami is feeling a little lost, and I know in the past (back when she was “mothering” Kami and Emanti) that Umngani was the chief comforter-and-cuddler and she did a stellar job, she is very affectionate and just the best when it comes to cuddling and caressing the calves (at any age) and once even a long time with adult Lungile who was upset. Now, what I wanted to discuss, about Kami and Khosi. It’s possible Khosi was jealous, but I don’t think so. Now all the anti-anthropomorphism people will get on my case (and I will say, read some of the latest elephant research about emotions, etc., and you’ll be more tolerant of me 🙂 okay?)… This is what I think, fantasy or reality or a bit of each. I think that Khosi came to help her sister-friend to deal with things–that the nudge was while she was “telling” her to go and take care of one of the babies and that it would make her feel better. It may even be that it was Khosi’s babysitting-time and she generously sacrificed some of it. (Remember how I told that Kami tried to cheer-up Khosi years ago when she had her tusk surgery? We know what their relationship is like.) So then I suggest that Umngani and Khosi talked about that (imagine Umngani approving Khosi’s action) and they just stayed there companionably for awhile, thinking how they had done their best to help Kami–Umngani with her hugs and caresses, Khosi with offering her a distraction–and maybe discussing it with each other and reassuring each other that it will all be okay eventually.
I missed the babies playing before the Ndula-Zuli interlude, darn it, but I did see them earlier in the day.
Marula, I didn’t see the three ellies at the pool, sorry, no help with identifying them. 🙁
Good morning (here), Marula! I see we are “in tune”–regarding e-mail, etc. (My short question was: Shall I wait for Issa’s snail to climb Mt. Fuji or should we consider a different solution, if only temporarily?)
Gawa, I admit I wondered about Nusu referring to himself in the third-person mode but I thought maybe you were both on there after he’d originally signed-in. 🙂
Northern California, you’ll be fast asleep (I hope for your sake) and I’ll get to that “response” later this morning Eastern, I want to see what you think about my idea re: Kami and Khosi, among other things.
Oh, I forgot to ask you something. Did anyone see the three ellies in the pool yesterday? I did see a big female ellie and two smaller ones playing happily together. I really hoped especially Gawa and Northern California did see them swimming too. It was only about 20 seconds long that I could capture but surely the young ellie on the left-hand side seemed particularly enjoyong the pristine WATER. (Sorry, I’m not good at ID-ing ellies here. Lana should know whom I’m talking about. Because she’s really good at guessing who’s who.)If you did see them, please let me know. I want to share the happy moment with you. Thanks.
Good morning, everyone. I was very pleased to read all of your enthusiastically captured ellie moments. Gawa, I did enjoy watching all of Gawa+Nusu’s videos again on SDZSP Instagram( Pachyderm Pairs) yesterday as well as the latest ones with your narration. I just love your kind voice. Lana, I did feel the soft rumbles from you throughout the day and Thank you for the comments you sent to me. ( ironically or coincidentally, I did live through the same thing as our poems🐝) Northern California, your ellies description IS like watching a film. You and all others did fill in the gaps that I missed seeing. I really appreciate it. Thank you.
P. S. I do appreciate with the blog monitor’s suggestion. Now I started considering myself too whether I should…snail mail and email
Sorry, all! That was me (Gawa) earlier, not Nusu, which some of you may have caught. 🙂
Moana (love her!), thank you for projecting that beautiful video into my brain of the girls and mama U and the crazy but beyond cute babies doing what they do best. P.S. Sending some hummies to buzz your yard this weekend. G’night, Lana and Good Morning, Marula!
Northern California, I am indeed “bailing out” for the night! I waited to make one last check of the blog in case you’d gotten back on and I’m so glad I did, I have that long wonderful Kami-Khosi-Umngani-et. al session to think about now and I want to discuss that with you tomorrow (no brains or energy tonight, darn it). Thank you SO much for sharing this with us, and in so much rich detail besides. 🙂 And wasn’t the Ndula and Zuli episode great? Cheers for the cam operator, wonderful coverage. Goodnight, all, before I wind up with my “trunk” smooshed on the keyboard! 🙂
Ha, ha, Lana we were watching Zuli at the same time! I missed your post until just now. Wasn’t that just precious the way he was rubbing his mom and then the feed ball and then laying stretching lazily and happily in the hay. The cam operator did a wonderful job capturing that moment. I missed the playing the game with the “meanie ball” so was so glad to hear about that. You’re probably heading off to bed soon. So fun that we were watching at the same moment. Magical.
Thank you cam operator for such a beautiful, intimate close-up of Mama N and Zuli! The sunset light on Ndula was beautiful and the closeup of Zuli stretching lazily and happily was so sweet and then his little chubby butt as he took a quick nap. I think you have now set it on the evening default and are probably heading home so I thank you for your great work!
Ok, so earlier about 5:45-6:30 pm, there were some really interesting interactions. When I first tuned in, I was watching Swazi kind of walking along, what looked like, kind of sadly. I wasn’t sure if she was missing Mac. Nisa was torn between being with her mom or watching over the babies who were both over by the stonehenge with their moms nearby. I notice Nisa still hanging out beside Swazi and comforting her a lot in between babysitting since Mac left. You could really see by her intelligent expression and body language that she was really trying to assess the situation and decide where she was most needed. I begin to love her more and more each day. Finally the babies seemed kind of settled, so she chose to go with her mom Swazi and hang out with her by the dirt pile and toss dirt on themselves. Then is was really interesting because Mama U was just hanging out by herself while Kaia was either roaming or playing with Zuli (I cant remember), and then Kami came over and was really wanting some snuggling touch from Mama U. Umngani did have a chance to give her some really sweet comforting caresses, but then it was very interesting Khosi came over, almost like she was jealous and kind of nudged Kami away who then went off camera in the direction of Swazi. Then Khosi wanted her turn to hang very close to her mom, Umngani. There was some sort of fascinating communication exchange for about 5-10 min between the two of them, a little bit of touching, but just some very close “hanging out” side by side and looking at one another with trunks gently swaying. I would have loved to have known what they were chatting about and I wish I was better at reading the gesture signals. Then Khosi seemed satisfied and went over to the hanging hay feeder and reached up and began pulling the hay down from one of the high nets. Neepo loved that and came over to eat the hay that she was spilling down around the ground and then a little later Nisa came back from being with Swazi and got some hay from the ground too. Both Neepo and Nisa are still a little short to get to the high net so they were loving it that Khosi was pulling it down. Then it inspired Mama U to come and start pulling some hay down from another hanging net. Then a little later Nisa was back to babysitting as the two babies were having a wild sparring fest around her and Neepo’s feet over by the fence line. Neepo was really trying to get Nisa’s attention to play and spar or something, so once again Nisa was torn between babysitting and being distracted by that. The babies were really having a wild time together tumbling about. Just before they were playing, Kaia had had a long nursing session from Mama U and seemed really energized by that. Then both babies I think got tuckered out and went to hang out with their moms and nurse and that’s when I saw Zuli rubbing against his mom and then the feed ball, just loving the feeling of the being there with her in the last bit of sunset light and he lay down in the hay just stretching and rubbing lazily and chewing on a stick happily. In the distance at one point, I could see Msholo down in the lower yard separate from everyone else lazily eating from a feed ball. I didn’t see Luti in the upper yard, so I assume they put Msholo down there in the lower yard with Luti to give him company and give Umngani a break from Luti. Ok, that’s my evening EEE report.
PS. I would be so happy to connect via email with hooman herd members who want to go off on other side tangents and will do as blog monitor suggested to post that through her.
Nusu, you’re right, it was Kami. I wondered a bit later when I saw them together and just now after you said that, I checked my screen-prints, too, and I should have realized from the tusk (I can’t tell from tails). Also he was taking up a bit more room under her than he does under his mother, although hard to be sure from the angle (crosswise instead of front to back). Thanks for catching that! Also thanks for sharing Kaia’s nursing method and I can just picture it perfectly, based on the Sheldrick babies. I wonder if she gets more milk faster, that way, and it’s one reason we usually only see her nursing briefly before Umngani moves on?
Marula, I have a short question for you when we “meet again” here. 🙂
Zuli was playing just now while Ndula eats–he was lying on his side (and sometimes half on his back! he looked adorably silly like that) wiggling around and waving his feet and it seemed he was pretending at one point that the “meanie food ball” had trapped him and/or knocked him over. Also he had a small branch he kept chewing on while he was lying down. Now he’s lying down facing his mom and definitely conked-out having a nap. His little hind-end is towards the cam and it’s almost as round as the food-ball. I love seeing the babies so healthy… Oops, when I came back he was just getting up, Ndula seemed to be leaving. She paused while he collected his wits, and let him take a very quick “refueling” and now they’re both nearly off-cam but he’s nursing again. It looks very peaceful there right now, around 7:00 pm Pacific.
Northern California, I just checked the blog on Chrome and see you were sharing the lovely interlude with Zuli lying in the hay! I’m so glad you got to see that! 🙂 Waiting for your next post and hoping you caught some of the things I missed when I was back-and-forth typing!
Thank you blog monitor for steering the ship! Yay Esampu, that’s such good news regarding Umngani. I was just watching for about 45 min or so this early eve at Escondido (around 5:45-6:30 pm.). This is my favorite time to watch the ellies. They always seem much more relaxed and not standing around anxious like in the morning waiting to be fed. There were so many interesting interactions in just the 45 min that I had to time to watch that I don’t know if I can do it justice. Kaia got in 2 really good long feedings (so interesting Nusu about her wrapping her trunk around the teat–can’t wait to see that photo!). In between she had some good wrestling and sparring and nuzzling with Zuli. Right now Zuli is so adorable chewing on a stick and laying luxuriantly in the hay beside the feed ball while his mama is eating that I have to stop typing and watch for a bit then will come back…………………
Thanks for sharing that very good news about Mama U, esampu, and I saw Zuli catching that little cat nap too this afternoon but it was so weird b/c I thought it was Kami. Does she have a very sparse of hair little tail? Yes, I took a screen grab b/c it was such a sweet little scene. I can post it if no one can confirm the tail.
Something really incredible and precious that we forgot to mention seeing last week at the Safari Park was how Kaia nurses on Mama U. She actually wraps her entire little trunk vertically around Umngani’s teat and then suckles away. Kind of how some of the orphans at Sheldrick do when they’re getting fed a bottle. Nusu has a photo of it which we’ll post and zoom in on it when he turns it into one of those videos.
The other thing I wanted to share was every time I see the keepers starting snacktime w/the ellies I now hear in my mind, “Ndula, come!” “Zuli, come!” or “Swaaaaazi! Niiiiiisa!” Getting to hear the sounds of their world was so wonderful!
And it is good to get us back on the theme of this blog (elephants at SDZSP) and reminding us about all the lurkers out there, blog monitor. I’ll be sending you an email with my email address for the active commenters that would like it. Really appreciate you offering to do that for us! Have a good weekend, all!
There’s that darling Zuli napping underneath his mother. He was in her shade but now there’s some sunlight and he’s fanning his big ears to cool down. I didn’t think it was that hot, there, but maybe in the open in the sun with sand beneath it is…
Esampu, that was great to hear about Umngani stealing a feeder box or two! I hope she continues to “hold her own” from time to time.
Gawa, I just melted away, watching Zuli and Msholo! That TINY little trunk reaching up to that HUGE bull’s tusk was so poignant, and probably utterly amazing to people who don’t know how gentle Msholo is. Even to those of us who do know–it’s always so special to see how wonderful he is with the babies. Thanks for sharing!!!
Soft rumbled greeetings to Marula whenever you come on-line again, hopefully later this evening.
A bit of good news – I saw Mama U steal a feeder box not one, but two times! So happy she is standing up for herself.
Blog monitor, thanks for being so gracious in keeping us on track!
Marula, it’s okay, it’s NOT you, it’s all of us–we just have been carried away by the thrill of discovering so many new and fascinating things about each other. This request from our Monitor has been brewing for awhile, I think. It was in fact over a month ago–when there wasn’t nearly as much “personal” stuff as there’s been the past few weeks–that I saw we were taking more and more “detours” from the main road. But I loved it! I learned so much about all of you and especially my little Marula. And I’m as guilty as anyone, if “guilt” is the right word. 🙂 It isn’t, though. Like little kids or the ele babies playing, we all just got “carried away with enthusiasm,” as the expression goes! The Zuli/Msholo interaction this morning sounds as if it was wonderful!–I wish I’d seen it and now you tell me that Gawa has it on Instagram for us to see! Yay!!! (A sneaky postscript: a bumblebee visited me today.)
Nusu, I totally “get it.” Maybe you can concentrate on the “wildlife” in the Safari Park (some pro photographers out there in California do or did that) and “local” subjects in-state. And of course share with us on Instagram! 🙂
To our dear Blog Monitor, thank you. I just read your post and I don’t know if there are other responses while I’m typing this (I’ll check that later and respond, if so). I am only speaking for myself here, but I was just thinking these past couple of days that we’ve been getting too far away from the actual purpose of the SDZSP Elephant Blog–I know you understand how fascinating and exciting it is to find other things in common besides the elephants, and suddenly we’re off on a tangent without realizing how far we’ve strayed. I was debating what to say about it–albeit reluctantly, and very mindful of the fact that I’m really “nobody” to be suggesting things to anyone else here (especially when I myself am tremendously enjoying being “bad,” rolling in the dust of conversation like Kaia in the lovely sand-piles). This is something I discussed with someone recently, that it’s wonderful for us to have made these friendships but that it IS a public place and it IS supposed to be mainly about elephants. And we do always talk about them, in nearly every post, but it does get lost in the shuffle sometimes. We’ll try to be “good,” although we may slip up a little occasionally! 🙂 You’ve been so patient, I know you’ll forgive us when it happens. Thank you for your suggestions as to what we could do for further communications! And as always, I am so grateful that we have the blog, the cam, this safe place to discuss ellies, and your dear self to watch over us.
Blog Monitor’s note: Thank YOU for understanding!
Blog monitor, I sincerely apologise that I went off the topic. Please take down my comment below yours and any of mines that you felt inappropriate in this blog.
Again, I am very sorry.
Blog Monitor’s note: No worries—just wanted to give a gentle nudge to keep us moving on track into the future. 🙂
Lana In the East and Northern California Fan, thank you SO much for the kind words and praise of my photography + videos. To answer your question Lana, while I’d LOVE to be a National Geographic photographer on assignment in Kenya, I probably could only survive a week or two of that lifestyle without desperately missing the life Gawa and I have created in the Bay Area.
Hello my fellow buzzy bees🐝,
when I tuned in this morning (11:23 am PT ) everyone was at the lower yard. I was seeing Ndula, Khosi, Msholo and Zuli on the screen at the time. They were busy eating so it was not much happening. Then, oh Zuli. You never disappoint me. He went over to Msholo, sort of figuring out what to do. And decided to do trunk-bumping with him!!! He tried it for a couple of times. Zuli gave him a big smooch too and gave a big push to the gentle giant. Zuli tried his best to get his attention. It was so sweet to watch Zuli put his little trunk very straight up to touch the tip of his tusk. He grabbed it with his “two fingers” holding for a second. Then, Zuli took a few steps back to Msholo and tried to touch his big trunk with his rear side. Zuli seemed very happy with the interaction and walked off to his Mama. There wasn’t much movement from Msholo but I’m sure he was engaging too. His tail was swishing. I haven’t seen Zuli do the trunk-bumping for a very long time apart from little Kaia. So I’m glad that I could see him do so today. Anyone you’ve missed it feeling left out? Don’t! Because Gawa filmed the whole thing for us and just uploaded on Instagram!! Check it out! She IS super cool😎 Thank you Gawa❤️xoxo
P.S. Gawa, that’s exactly what I thought…
Dear Elephant Cam Herd: We are delighted that many of you are sharing what you observe of the Safari Park elephants here. But in some cases, the comments have been straying off the topic. We would like to ask that you keep to comments about our elephants at the Safari Park (and whatever is in the blog). We have also noticed that some of the comments lately have been sharing personal information—just a reminder that our blogs and comments are a public space read by a wide audience, even though readers may not contribute comments, and it is probably not a good idea to share your personal info when you don’t know who may be reading it.
We strive to be open to everyone interested in the Safari Park elephants, so we’ve also needed to restrict some personal conversations between regular commenters—people coming to the comments section for the first time or to ask a question are confused by the non-blog related discussion and feel intimidated.
We do note that some of you have bonded, and we support your new friendships—we just ask that they be maintained out of the blog comments section. I can help with that: if you would like others in the “herd” to have your email address so that you can correspond and chat, please send a note giving your permission via the “Contact Us” link at the bottom of the page. Put “Attention Blog Monitor” in the Subject line. Use the same link/subject line to request someone else’s email address. If they have given permission, it will be sent to you.
Another idea is to start an “elephant lovers forum” on one of the many forum or chat websites available online.
We value your support, your observations of our elephants, and your passion for wildlife!
Northern California, thank you so much for your comment about me. Knowing that your soul is linked to mine which truly did encourage me to try making poems again. The one I just posted a moment ago was also cheered by you. As I said, I haven’t done it for ages. When I was in the labyrinth alone by myself for 4 years. I couldn’t do anything but fearing of the Minotaur. But since I’ve met you and others giving me so many compliments pushed my back gently to step forward. As you noticed, I live with my sister here far away from my parents. We’re birds who migrate to the warmer climate when the weather is harsh. ( that’s just an excuse my sister and I try to go home as much as possible to just be with my mum and dad over there. ) living away from them was already hard but after my dad got ill, the things started to fall apart. I was anxious all the time. I put myself in a cocoon for a very long time. I’m just a coward person and nothing that I should be compared to you. But since I discovered SDZDP ellies, the things inside me has got much better. My parents finally learning how to do the face time with us did ease things recently too. Before that only communication was by the phone-during my hard times. We didn’t know my dad’s health was so bad until we got home and saw him in person. We were traumatized to see him like that and haunted us after years. We never know when his health deteriorates. So that led to my depression. Now his condition is stable I know that it is just for now.
Don’t worry about me, Northern California and Lana and my hooman herd, it’s a big improvement that I am able to talk about this to you here and I can name “clown” ha-ha-.
I don’t know it’s inappropriate to talk such personal issues but I feel I can open up myself here. I guess I’m under the ellies spell again tonight, especially watching Zuli nursing in front of me(7 am PT)
Northern California, thank you so much for being right by my side. I always look up the night sky and call your name which I did so tonight as well. I am very sorry that you’ve been in the hardest situation. I can only pray for you and your daughter. But I will continue to do so.
I’m very sorry too to bring up my sad story but I wanted you to know that so I did.
And I still have mixed emotions for Emanti and Mac whenever I think of them as well. I got tearful when I made poems for Emanti and Mac. Today, I gave a sprig of rosemary to my tuskless miniature ellie.
Changing to a much happier note, I will look at the birds you list which I don’t know most of them. I will NOT look for the bird, laughing heyoka “You-know-who”. BTW, it’s not Lord Voldemort! Because Google might show me the images of HIM.
I look forward to hearing from you soon, hopefully with your new name? Mer is the French word for “the sea,”isn’t it? Ça te va très bien. J’aime ça😘 I like Moana, too. The idea of you and the sea is so YOU. I love it!
Lana, I’m so thankful that you did kindly explain to Patricia about the ellies moving to another zoos and also the history of adults ellies too. Thank you so much. Do you all know (Gawa+Nusu know this) that the unpopular transport crate we can see by the shelter isn’t the only one? I’ve seen a YouTube video the other day which was filmed not while ago that there are a few more crates at the back as well as a big wheel tyre and other things. It seems like the corner at the back is used for the storage space , which the keepers are sharing with the ellies home. So we don’t need to feel the sentiments towards the old crate you see every day. It’s just a thing. That’s all. It’s funny that hoomans tend to be fooled by what they can only see and believe their only eyes. What we “see” sometimes can be not true.
Marula, your last comment posted while I was typing and I forgot to check Chrome for anyone’s additions that posted after I had started mine! I loved the haiku and this information about haiku, poetry in general (I have read some Tanka, too), and the marvelous story about the nobles on their boats! And your father is wise, brilliant, artistic–I can see why you are so intuitive, creative, and sensitive–I am in awe of him. Yes, poetry is indeed universal, I am constantly amazed reading poems from various countries, even knowing that things are “lost in translation.”
Here is Ndula and little Zuli, oh my but he’s cute this morning. She’s eating from a food-box, and when she pulled her trunk out, he stuck his tiny one inside; she started to put hers back inside and discovered the opening was plugged with “baby,” and just curled her trunk there on top of the box to wait for him, patiently. Now he’s more interested in what he would call “real food” at this age, and nursing. Someone joined them while I was typing, but I can’t yet see the face and tusks. Since the ele is close to the baby, probably one of the sitters rather than Luti… Yes, it’s Khosi. 🙂 She just moved a little, long enough to see her tuskless left side.
Marula, that is SO beautiful!!! It took my breath away. I can see it and feel it, and the balance of my Spring and your Autumn with the bee at the center of the unending procession of yearly cycles, and also the symbolism of the brave little bee getting on with her daily life again. Probably too late for you to read this until your “morning.” (9:00 a.m. here and a marvelous way to start my day. Thank you!) Will say more when we “talk” later. 🙂
Northern California, thank you. Actually my parents weren’t “highly educated” in the usual sense, my father had only one year of college and my mother only high school, but they both did a LOT of reading, and were interested in many, many subjects, and they did without a lot of things themselves so that my brother and I could go to college. They were indeed very special parents in all ways and we were an unusually “close” family. (Yeah, as you intuit, health issues, but fortunately plenty of determination–AKA stubbornness!–most days in spite of it.) Much enjoyed the rundown of the birds and other wildlife in your area, many of the birds I see here or saw in Massachusetts… Oh my goodness, another haiku person! What are the odds that at least 4 of us are?! (I thought up an ele one when I was lying awake last night, and no one has to answer it: A boulder rising/in the gray and dusty dawn–/Msholo wakens.)
Isn’t Kaia wonderful to watch when she’s taking sand-baths! It’s all right to mention your feelings about Mac and Emanti sometimes; it’s like an emotional pressure-cooker, you have to let off a little steam now and then or explode, yes? And we all care, and think about them. The Keepers probably will eventually do another blog to update what’s going on with them, they did with the other moves as I recall. As for Caldwell–we are so spoiled with SDZSP’s environment that all the other places with elephants pale by comparison, inevitably look too small, too “open,” too noisy (in cities), etc., no matter how good their elephant yards are compared to other places of similar size. I still think the boys are only on loan; this would seem to be backed up by the fact that our Keepers are going to visit them several times a year to make sure they’re doing well. I know that Curtis said, in “Vismusi – Part 3,” that Musi would probably be back some day and then joked about Umngani’s reaction to that. It was probably in one of the three Musi blogs, or way back with the Reid Park move, that he mentioned “loans.” Some of those blogs are no longer available, alas…
One of the chipmunks just ran through the patio garden as I was typing this, hopped up on the hose-guard (a short stake with a ball on top, to protect the flowers when dragging the hose around to water them all) to see if there was anything scary to worry about between there and the feeder, and then streaked across the lawn to gather seeds off the ground beneath.
The ellies, too, are starting their day. I see the babies playing already, the mothers, a couple of others I can’t ID for one reason or another… here we go! What will the day bring?
Lana, good morning. You were right about me. I did get myself all agitated and it took me all day to respond to you. And it took me a while to click “post comment”
too. It was very difficult to do a Haiku in English if I followed the strict rules of it. Haiku is made with [5 syllables-7syllables-5syllables only] for example, the word, “nice” is 4 syllables so you cannot use it. And it must contain a seasonal word. Also, it’s not supposed to contain any punctuation, period or “…” etc.
Another style of poem that I prefer to enjoy is called “Tanka”-literally means for “short-song”. It’s completed with[5-7-5-7-7 syllables] with a seasonal word. So whenever I do both Haiku and Tanka, I count those syllables with my right hand. Haiku is a total of 17 syllables and Tanka for 31 syllables. My dad and I actually enjoy Tanka more. Because it’s got more words to freely express our feelings and at the last two “7-7 syllables”, you’ll get a more complete finish. Also, I like the rhythm of it better. I think Haiku is more difficult for me because you have to capture the precious moment with such limited words. That’s why Basho is absolutely genius! I went (google)to have a look at translated versions of his work. They ARE more than amazing! His work all sounds so incomplete but just so perfect! The incompleteness is the way he cleverly calculated and which invites you in and also leaves you hanging with the wonder. It did look very different from English poetry to me. So I did see they tried to follow the Haiku form as much as possible.
Tanka is the oldest form of Japanese poetry practised since year 600. Haiku was created by Basho much later in 1700. We call it now “poetry”, but back in the day, it was their only way of communication. It was simply their speaking language. Ancient people used it for such as -love letters, marriage proposals, politics, strategy for coup d’etat and battles (I guess they added a hidden message in it. )common people talking about their ordinary life etc…
In the palace, groups of nobles getting on two separated boats at a man-made pond, a noble send away a “Tanka” note to the other one on another boat by a tiny floating boat made out of a bamboo leaf. It was played in front of a big audience.
Yesterday when I was at blank, I asked my dad for some advice. All above I just said was his knowledge. I told him that Haiku is mpossible to make one in English because of the rules and we usually exchange each other from sharing the same or similar environment (season and place ) and experience. I said that I’m replying to Lana who is in NY in early Spring and me in NZ in Autumn and in English. How is it possible? Then, he told me that Haiku, Tanka is the expressing the presence which you just captured, seeing through your soul from what you see outside and let it out using those syllables. You can do it easily just as the lady simply let it out her spiritually. The forms of our poetry and Foreign ones are very different but the purpose of poetry IS universal. A person in San Diego, California or any part of the world can enjoy it. Of course, you can make a Haiku for your elephants too. And just don’t get too caught with the rules. It doesn’t matter. He smiled.
Lana, from your Haiku, I saw your empathy towards the little bumblebee cowering its body which made a spring green leaf also shiver. It was very cold rain though people said the Spring has arrived. You were worried about your little friends outside as you hearing the raindrops on your rooftop.
I replied to you from my experience. I was pruning a tree yesterday afternoon. The sun was very warm and bright too. The sunlight has created very curtain-veil-like effect which you can see particularly in the autumn. Because the sun hits from a very low angle.
I saw a bumblebee resting on an autumn leaf sunbathing. Probably waiting for his wings to be dried up from the morning dew. As soon as he flew away, the sunlight hid him so I couldn’t find him. Thank you so much. I will cherish your love letter to me🥰I’ve already printed out and put it up on my cork board.
I’m so glad that I was able to make a sort of Haiku myself too. And so happy that you were the first person ever( apart from my dad ) to exchange the poem with! A humble bumblebee to a little bee🐝❤️🐝
Lana, we should keep practising this sometimes. This is great. Don’t you think? I’m absolutely positive that us sharing our Haiku or poems one another will help you to open the box eventually. Don’t you want to read Basho again? I promise I will be by your side holding your hand.
I’m absolutely delighted that Gawa and Northern California love Haiku too! We officially belong to the EEE Haiku Club together!!!
Gawa, let’s do Haiku-letter together in some time. And that’s a brilliant idea that you are making a Haiku for Emanti! I’ve actually made one for him a while ago when I made one for Mac’s birthday. Should we give him Haiku or any poems for his birthday gifts? What do you think? You too, Lana and Northern California and anyone?
I wanted you to know Marula that I love your beautiful, poetic words and am absolutely amazed that English is not your first language because you are so gifted at expressing yourself. When you write, your descriptions are so beautiful, funny, uplifting, touching and tender. I think Lana, saying you are like Kami is so true. I apologize if it takes me a few days to get back to you, as I said before, things are just ultra-difficult with my daughters health and our living situation right now. If you are broken, then it has deepened you into the most exquisite, compassionate soul and artistic treasure. I have been broken many times by several deaths in my family and friends and am just extremely sensitive and in many ways probably a broken soul like you are. Another thing my shamanic teacher used to say (besides the teaching about the luminous fiber threads) is that some people are just “thinner-skinned” than others. Some people just seem to have a thicker skin and are able to plow through life with relatively few bruises. One is not better than the other. Being thin-skinned is challenging. It doesn’t mean you are weak, it just makes you very intuitively tuned into the world–which you are. Yes, I feel we had some other lifetimes together–especially by the sea and yes friend soul mates. Maybe our hooman herd had a lifetime together in a village out in the Serengeti Plain? I am contemplating some names so you don’t have to keep calling me Northern California. Something that has the feeling or meaning of ocean or sea as you suggested, would be lovely like Mar or Mara or Moana–not sure yet. Lana I just loved so many of your words and sharings (I can tell like Marula and Nusu you are a gifted artist and Renaissance person). Also, that you were raised by very special parents in a highly educated household–almost reminds me of what I’ve read about Katherine Hepburn’s household if that makes any sense to you or you know about her childhood). I am in awe that with your health issues in your hands and eyes (and maybe other areas), you take time pretty much each day to respond and give a trunk hello to each of us in the hooman herd. I know it sometimes exhausts you (especially when the Cyber Monster eats your words!) I am honored to know you. Esampu you sound like you are in the middle of some intense academic studies and trying to finish out the semester AND plan for your wedding AND give us ellie updates–amazing! Jan, you always amaze me with your energy and taking the time to write to us so beautifully about all your wonderful birds, mammal friends and flowers and vignettes with the ellies. In my neighborhood, I’m able to watch the blue jays (we have Scrub and Stellar), a pileated woodpecker has come a few times and rata-tated some holes in wooden power poles around here, also 2 redtail hawks, acorn woodpeckers (like little laughing heyoka clowns (not the creepy kind of clowns, Marula), brown towhees, titmice, nuthatches, the wonderful crows and ravens and I must say I love my grey squirrel friends even though they ripped my bird feeder to shreds. They are just so smart and adorable with their beautiful fluffy grey tails blowing in the breeze and watching me intently through the kitchen window to see if I’m going to bring some seeds out for them. Now for the birds, I have to toss the seed onto the ground and on the carport roof. Regarding jays, my neighbor is actually able to ring her chimes, and then the jays know to come and will fly down as she puts peanuts out for them (like you Jan). Gawa and Nusu, I miss my little hummingbird buddies that live up on our land. I planted so many flowers for them and for the honeybees and the butterflies. I’m sure with all the rain we’ve had, they’re having a grand time with all the flowers and fighting for their territories. I’m sure you’ve seen them do the territorial, aerial display where they rocket straight up in the air a hundred feet or so up and then plummet straight down at incredible speeds and then do a breathtaking swoop up at the last minute just before you think they’re going to hit the ground as they do their territorial scolding, chittering sound. Gawa and Nusu, I’ve finally been able to go to all your amazing videos and I just love hearing both of your soothing, loving voices. I’m sure the ellies all felt you and loved having you there. Thank you so, so much for all the information and videos! You are a very special couple.
The other day I was so thrilled to see Kaia rolling in ecstasy in the sand pile in the middle of a bunch of male and female babysitters and maybe even Swazi who were all gathered around her in a circle. Several of them were touching and loving her and she was just squirming and rubbing and smiling and radiating joy which makes me so happy because I sometimes get worried about her when I see her just constantly trotting after Umngani who is trying to find a feeder box that she hasn’t been driven away from. Kaia is certainly getting strong walking so much like the baby ellies in the wild do! But I’m sure glad sometimes when I see the Keepers have put Umngani with her family by themselves in one of the yards and she is able to get some really quality, peaceful eating time. I’m always thrilled when I see Kaia actually nursing. Because Umngani is such a low ellie in the hierarchy (because of her sweet nature I think and maybe some PTSD stuff from childhood and of course the Luti harassment), she just seems very distracted most of the time looking for food and is not paying as much attention to Kaia as Ndula does with Zuli. Thank goodness for all the babysitters who are teaching Kaia about loving, gentle caresses. It just shows you how important it is to have a whole herd. It takes a village……..
I know you probably don’t want to hear it, but I’m still so sad for Emanti and Mac. I keep hoping the Keepers will write another “News” bulletin so I don’t have to keep scrolling past the tired, sad faces of Emanti every time I want to write in the blog. I keep researching the Caldwell zoo and the elephant exhibit IS better than it used to be, but it still seems too small, hot and flat. How hard for the boys to go from the Club Med of zoos (San Diego is always rated in the top 5 in the WORLD) to this small, family-owned zoo. I cringe when I read reviews about the black bears and the rhinos baking in a small enclosure in the sun. I pray every day that “our” marvelous Keepers have added to the knowledge, care and enrichment of our dear boys and hopefully the other animals at Caldwell. I’m so glad that one of the Keepers will be going to check on the boys a few times a year. I indeed hope, as Esampu suggested, that if the care or well being of the boys seems compromised, that indeed there will be a reevaluation of their placement. Unfortunately, I don’t get a sense from the above article or news reports that this is a loan agreement of the boys which means they are probably owned by Caldwell. Sorry, I don’t mean to shake the boat up again, but I’ve just been thinking of Emanti a lot with his birthday coming up…….
PS. I LOVE HAIKU TOO! I haven’t made up or written a haiku in years. They capture the beauty and poignancy of a moment in such few words. I will have to look up Basho, Lana. I remember reading some years ago.
Marula and esampu, I saw some of that (near the end) too! I was mesmerized! And it was so lovely to see Swazi and Qinisa in affectionate harmony even with food involved. 🙂
Marula, I’ve never seen a magpie. Crows aren’t too popular with most people, I guess, but I too think they look wise, and I love the way they swagger around–they’re very intelligent, from what I’ve read. There are usually three that come here, but many in the surrounding area because of the cornfields a few miles up the highway. Ah, I thought you would like the little haiku. 🙂 (I wish I could do one with elephants even though they certainly aren’t a traditional Nature subject… hmm.) It came to me just as I had typed the prose sentence ahead of it. I’d been thinking about haiku after we’d talked about the seasons, but all my Poetry books and scrapbooks are still packed.) I haven’t written haiku for a long time, either. English isn’t a great language for that, none of the nuances, and inevitable awkwardness in phrasing. I believe I did read long ago about answering a haiku with another haiku, but I had forgotten. I will love to read a haiku from you, but don’t get yourself all agitated if you can’t do it in English!–I cannot imagine my trying to do one in your language even if it was written with our kind of print instead of the beautiful brush-stroke-type characters. I’ve seen as many as 6 or 7 different English translations of one or two haiku by Basho and I bet none of them really “capture” it completely.
Jan, it looks as if maybe you’re right about Swazi’s feet, since the Keeper did indeed spend some time checking them carefully.
Gawa, you’re right, I just see your post on Chrome as I check for additional comments before I “click,” and quickly tuned-in the cam; great operator! By the way, I almost asked you after I’d seen the Msholo video, if Nusu was wanting to be a professional wildlife (and/or other) photographer, based on the quality of the filming, and I see on the Umngani one (beautiful Umngani, beautiful little Kaia!) that he mentions a portfolio. “All the best” to him, as my British friends say! He does indeed have the skill in choosing what to record and framing his subject(s) and all. Oh, wow, you’re “into” haiku too? I’m constantly amazed by how much some of us share–some of it rather unlikely! Congratulations on the prize! 🙂 You’re most welcome re: the reminder about the ellies making the rounds.
Whoever is on the ellie cam right now (4-4:30pm PST) is my new favorite person! Super tight on them all and especially the babies as they wander around — mostly little Miss K. Cute to see the ducks sharing the pool with the ellies today too. I also got to see Swazi and Nisa’s health check/attention session…so cool to finally get to see one happening live.
I know I’m not really part of the Haiku chat but I love them! And have to share that when I was in first grade back in Chicago (6 or 7 yrs old?) I won a contest for a Haiku I wrote about spring that was then featured in the school newspaper. I guess you could say I was hooked then! I think I will work on one about our visit to see our elephants. It’s also my fave thing to write for friends when their birthdays show up on Facebook. Maybe I will write one for Emanti’s upcoming birthday?
Lana – thank you for the reminder that the ellies (esp the bulls) make the rounds and that it is very possible that we’ll see the boys back in California someday or at least in Tucson where they at least have a cam.
You saw it too! Esampu. The keeper is the cool one. He’s got such a special moves for ellies to make the interactions much more fun. I’ve seen him do the trick with Khosi too “Oops, I just dropped my hat. Can you get it for me?” I love it! Yes, he did take quite a long time to inspect Swazi’s feet, didn’t he?
Just caught the end of a health check for Queen Swazi and Princess Qnisa. They inspected swazi’s feet as part of it. The keeper’s hat also fell into the enclosure and Swazi got it for him! I’m sure it was in response to a command, but it was still
pretty cool.
The girls looked really happy when it ended, especially Qnisa who ran to be back with her momma. They then gobbled up all the left over treats the keepers threw on the ground for them.
Hello, everyone and especially to my fellow buzzy bees Lana, Jan & Esampu who were already chatting about our ellies from early this morning. How wonderful it is for me to wake up hearing your “voices”. Thank you ❤️🐝
(Look, I copied Esampu’s morning greeting and changed it into my version, you see?)
I woke up 6am 5/3 but it was already 11am PT. I want to be up much earlier though to get a glimpse of our ellies. I’m so glad that my hooman friends tell me what’s happened that I don’t miss a thing.😄 I really appreciate it.
When I quickly tuned in after reading my EEE newsletter, I only saw one ellie’s bottoms showing at the lower yard. Who could it be? -with a big belly and the distinctive looking tail…Ndola? I played “who’s who” by myself as normal people enjoy sudoku or crossword puzzle in the newspaper.
Esampu, I was relieved to hear that the big ellie lying down who was surrounded by smaller ellies also on their tummies were fine. In fact, they all were more than fine!🤗
Jan, your trunk-wave makes me happy as well as your \o/ /o\ \o/!! ( it took me 20 seconds long to type this) Thank you so much for your sharing your thoughts, ellies world and your wonderful woodlands during your crazy schedule of the day. I can’t keep up with your amazement. You ARE my Superwoman! So everytime I eat peanut 🥜 I remember your blue-jays🥰
Wow, they are crows family. I can’t believe it. I see no resemblance between them. But hearing from you about blue jay’s loud voice, there IS some similarity? And the intelligence of course! The crows are very clever birds. They are very unpopular in the city area in my home country ( I don’t see black crows/ravens here I live. Are there any? I just googled. The NZ native ravens are extinct before the European settlers about 180 years ago.☹️ But I see Magpies lots in here from Australia. ) but I like crows very much like Lana. Look at their wise eyes! They must be thinking very amusing things. So whenever I go home, only me that is looking at them beemingly with admiration. I think Lana and I were (good) witches sometime in life, because crows are big part of their life.
Lana & Jan, now I have to see what they look like, Goldfinch, Baltimore Orioles, Red Breasted Grosbeaks and Chipping Sparrows(I bet they are so different from my sparrows ) + your four-legged friend. And more! Cardinals and red-winged-blackbirds!! Woodpeckers, however,
I have seen a woodpecker once when I was in the mountain in AZ! I saw him from the window when I was brushing my teeth in the early morning. He was already busy hammering the tree.
Lana, even after having not one but two battles with the meanie cyberspace monster😱, your comment was exceptionally good! My eyes were wide open with a big awe. Have you experienced your spiritual “inner-awakening” or you had your mindset done for the very fresh start of your day? I clearly see something different about you this morning.
I suspect that you were given a morning kiss by a fairy of Poetry before she flew away. And now you’re under her spell, which has made “inner-you”unleashed free and you’re experiencing such an infinity of your wordings pouring from inside.
How beautiful and serene the ocean was to give to Northern California. I could smell the breeze from here and see the flickering reflection of the sea. Serene- it’s the perfect description for Northern California’s soul.
And HAIKU!!! How honoured I feel that you did channel your soul to the oriental-world to create such a beautiful one just for me. I can sense “ the early spring” yet still cold in rain and bumblebee -“you”.
Now, Lana. Have you ever imagined in millions of years that you’ve got to make an Haiku-poem in the elephant blog??!! Life is interesting, isn’t it? I’ve never imagined myself in zillions of years that I’ve got to make a haiku in English, which I’ve never done it before, in order to make a response to my dear friend in the elephant blog, either!!( it is a manner in Haiku world that you have to respond to the person back with your haiku. That’s how we do it. )
Wow, I haven’t made haiku for years. My dad and I used to do it all the time when I was little. I handed my haiku note to him sitting right next to me. And he handed the note back to me with his haiku in return. He still enjoys it. He suddenly recite his haiku for me in the facetime video sometimes to tell his thoughts or the seasonal surroundings. He is a big haiku person. He gives me such a big compliment whenever I make poems for him.
Now, I need to revisit my inner-haiku-world myself. Let’s see what I can come up with for you, Lana.
P.S. the answer of “who’s who” was Luti😉 He does have a big belly and the similar tail hair to his Mum.
Patricia, that question may be best answered by the Elephant Team or some of the other keepers for the other animals, if and when they have time. But I’ll say a little about it, meanwhile. The whole move of the two “boys” created a huge commotion here in the comments section of the blog, and we’ve tried to move on and concentrate on the present, though still keeping track of the boys when we can. That said, however–as far as our ellies are concerned, I have no doubt that they do miss the ones who have moved (I believe they are on loan, not sold). But something I’ve been thinking about that I hadn’t thought of originally may help all of us: twice now, elephants who were separated have seen each other again, and given how intelligent and communicative ellies are, this has surely been “discussed” among them. They know what happens with the transport box, partly from their own experiences moving from Kruger to Swaziland, from the reserves there to the ranch where they were held for several months, to the plane that brought them, from the US airport to SDZSP. They were split into two groups: Msholo was in Florida with the other group, but a few years later, here he came to SD and a grand reunion. Mabu has gone, with other members of the original SD herd, to Arizona–and recently he came back for a visit and to make babies. So these intelligent beings have surely figured out that “goodbye” isn’t always forever. Just as in the wild, with all the wanderings. They certainly miss the boys–and no doubt Musi as well– but they are not grieving over it as if they’d died; as far as I can tell, none of them even were “off their feed,” although some seemed a little subdued at first (naturally) and Kami still looks a little lost at times–but she is comforted by the babies, Zuli is particularly loving to her. I don’t think that totally answers the question but something to think about, yes?
Jan, I noticed Swazi scuffing with her foot the other day, but she was pulverizing dust that was still caked a bit from the rain. Also they do scrape at roots sometimes so maybe a branch or a treat buried in the dirt? Keepers would surely take care of any problem with the foot itself ASAP. As for the save-and-copy, my comp doesn’t have the ability, it seems; I can save-all but then the copy command is “grey” instead of “black” so can’t copy it. I’m such a Luddite, of course, there may be another way I can’t figure out. I did try before when you told us, and again today with a couple of other angles, but no joy.
Esampu, that would have been fascinating to see the whole thing. There is a cam operator who does tend to go whizzing off from something we find “gripping” to something not-so-interesting; my guess, not aware of what’s important in ele behavior and just honestly trying to give viewers a variety of experiences to watch with as many different ellies as possible. (Hard to believe it but some people are probably just wanting to see ellies in general and not all mushy about babies like “we” are.)
Speaking of dirt-piles, I see there’s a lovely new one in the lower yard this afternoon! I bet the various dirt, dust, soil, etc. that they give the ellies is a variety of types with different scents and textures to make it even more interesting for them, and sometimes maybe exotic odors added or little treats buried. The Keepers work so hard on creating new and exciting enrichments as well as repeating old favorites!
I see that a couple of the elephants have been moved to a Texas Zoo. I would like to know, if the care takers of the elephants can tell if the elephants miss the other elephants that are gone. And how can you tell if they do or not. That goes for all the other animals too.
Good morning, everyone and especially to my fellow early posters, Jan & Lana, who kicked things off for the day.
There was a truly fascinating interaction this morning at around 6.45 PT. Looks like Team Umngani plus several sub-adults were in the big yard. One of the big ones was laying down on their stomach and 4 of the sub-adults were clustered around the one laying down, laying their trunks on him/her and sniffing them. I was super concerned thinking they were sick and couldn’t move. But then the laying down ellie moved and laid on their side. Two of the ellies standing started to put their feet under him, to help him get back up. Unfortunately, the camera operator decided to focus on something else at that moment (Family Ndula in the small yard).
Gawa, I can not wait for the close-up of Mama U and Kaia!! Such gorgeous girls! Kaia, I think, is going to be a matriarch. She has so much spirit.
The children are rowdy this morning! Although, that’s not unusual. I just saw Kaia do a play bow to Zuli, as a dog does. Where oh where, do they get their energy!? No sand pile is safe with them around.
Just popping in to say, this morning, when I mentioned Swazi walked across the screen, I saw her paw the ground, like a horse, with her right front foot. It wasn’t the usual picking up the foot as they do when their thinking about something, it was a pawing on the ground. I came back to mention it because she did it two more times when she was with the herd in their early morning meet-up at the barn. I wonder if something is in her foot? She walks fine, it was just odd for me to see it, as I never saw her or any of the other Ellies pawing the ground before. Did anyone one else see it in our hoomen herd? Just wondering what it could be, probably nothing, just a new thing for me to see.
Lana, you may have to do like I do for safe keeping. Ever so often, do the right click, select all, copy, that way if the cyber gremlin gets my post before sending, I have most of it or all of it. I always do it before sending anyway as I have learned the hard way with my own website and this blog.
Unbelievable. I typed a comment, lost it, typed (no doubt differently worded) again, and LOST it again. I’m starting to feel like I got trapped in an infinite loop. Okay, one last try, then I just give up.
A “trunk-wave” to you, too, Jan! Happy to see you’re posting off and on during the day again, we missed you; I know you’re busy and it’s so good of you to find a minute or two here and there to “make contact.” I loved hearing about your naughty bluejays–they’re so bold and beautiful that I kind of overlook what bullies they are. Yes, I was stunned to actually see the woodpecker, and I even got him on video because I was already recording birds at the feeder (he was at the edge of the woods). I had a rose-breasted grosbeak pair here for awhile last Spring, but either they were just resting before migrating on, or else they moved to a different “restaurant”–one with better-class clientele, meaning no squirrels.
Gawa, I’m looking forward to Nusu’s Umngani video with bated breath.
Northern California, sending you soft peaceful rumbles like the gentle rote of the ocean, little waves washing and lapping at the shore and across the gleaming sand and the seashells and the pebbles, catching reflections of the sun in their endless advance and retreat.
Marula, good morning! That’s appropriate because it’s morning here, and it will be morning there when you read this! I’d “buzz” a bit but it’s raining here and sensible bees stay in the hive or hide under a handy leaf if they were already out and about and got caught in the downpour. (That ought to make a sort of haiku: Cowering beneath/a handy leaf, bumblebee/shelters from the rain.)
Greetings to all the commenters we haven’t heard from very much lately, and to all you readers who are too shy (as I was for a couple of years) to contribute. And, always, hello and thank you to our wonderful Monitor.
Oh my goodness, one of the babies nearly knocked the other one, who was on his/her hind legs, right over backwards. I gasped out loud. Time to focus on the cam and not the comments!
Lost a whole comment again. This old comp of mine is getting impossibly aggravating.
A “hello” trunk-wave to you, Jan! I’m so happy to see you posting off and on in the course of the day, again, really missed that; I know how busy you are and you’re so good to sneak a few minutes here and there! Loved hearing about your naughty bluejays; they are so bold, aren’t they? Yeah, I could hardly believe my luck seeing the pileated woodpecker and (!) I even got him/her on video because I was filming the misc’ visitors and the chippies. Had a pair of rose-breasted grosbeaks here for awhile last Spring; I don’t know if they were camped here temporarily before migrating on, or if they just decided to patronize another “restaurant” with better-class clientele (meaning “no squirrels allowed,” with or without shirts and shoes).
Gawa, thanks for telling us to be on the lookout for Nusu’s next video! I’m eager to see that, especially with Umngani and Kaia. I was going to say “my favorites” but I guess “among my favorites” is more accurate!
Northern California, sending you a quiet rumble like the sea’s rote on the shore, gentle ocean waves lapping at the edge of the sand and shells and pebbles. (And speaking of the sea, did you know Explore has a sea otter cam–wild otters, not in an aquarium. It’s Moss Landing? Associated with Monterey Aquarium, though.)
Thinking about all of you we haven’t heard from for a while (little or long time)–MG, Mbegu, East Coast, et. al. And is Animal Lover still reading our blog these days or too busy with school?
Marula, I’ll just say “Good Morning” for now–very appropriate since it IS morning here and it WILL BE morning there when you read this! I’d buzz, but it’s raining here and bees are wise to hide under leaves or in their hives or nests.
Blog Monitor’s note: This comment wasn’t “lost,” but for some reason it was caught up in the moderation line. Unfortunately, no one was available to free it until this morning. 🙂
A trunk wave and wishing my hooman herd a good morning, before I start to work. It appears the cam is in the same place when I stopped watching last night. Swazi just strolled by. I saw the headlights of a truck on the road above the west yard.
Wishing you all, the Ellies and Keepers a great day! It’s rather dark in the park, so it could mean cloud cover. Or, it’s just dark as it’s 5:45 there now.
Thank you Gawa for the heads up on Nusu’s forthcoming video of Mama U and K! I can’t wait to see it. Yay!
Nusu said to say that he’s so happy you enjoyed the Msholo video piece and to keep an eye out tomorrow for one of Mama U and baby K!
Mbegu and Mbegu’s 3 daughters 🐰🐰🐰! I hope you guys are happy and hopping.
I’m just shouting out to say “How are you?” I’ve been thinking of you guys. Because I haven’t heard from you for ages 🐝buzz…
I just wanted to make sure that your daughters did see my post, the mystery game. Because I haven’t forgotten about them. Of course not! If the post was hidden somewhere that you can’t find. Please look for “the mystery bee 🐝 4/24”. I know that it’s been very tricky for you. So I did make the game up especially for you and your daughters hoping that it would cheer you up. Thanks❤️
I was excited to read some posts from today. There’s were so many sweet moments today watching the Ellies. Mama U was having trouble finding an enrichment box or branch browse when they were transferred from the west yard to the east today. It had to be Luti that run her off from a box and she gently, and sweetly, like she almost always does, surrendered and starting walking across the hill away from the rock shelter towards the barns. Zuli was in tow was picking up tidbits as he followed behind. He does look pleased with himself when he finds something to eat, or a branch to toss around and over his head.
Speaking of birds, I have four Blue-Jays that come to my house every morning. They fly in with a scream and all the other birds fly off. There are a couple of the Blue Jays that sit in the tree and make a sound like a cat meowing, and that keeps the other birds away. They come because I put peanuts on my deck for them, especially when I hear them scream. If I know they’re there and don’t see them, all I have to do is throw a peanut on the deck and they immediately swoop down from the tree and grab it and fly off. It’s so quick sometimes all you see it a blue flash. If the peanut is near the door and I stand there with the door open a crack, I can feel the breeze from their wings when they take off. What’s funny is, if there are a few peanuts on the deck they will pick out the biggest one. They pick it up in and if it doesn’t feel heavy, they’ll drop it and pick up another until they’ve found the one they want.
I have Goldfinch feeders where they have to hang upside down and eat, otherwise, the Sparrows and other birds eat the seeds. I feed Nyjer seed, which they love. They like sunflower seeds too, but so do all the other birds. I expect the Baltimore Orioles to arrive any day, along with the Red Breasted Grosbeaks. The Chipping Sparrows are here already.
Lana, I would love to see a Pileated Woodpecker with my own eyes. Wow, your so fortunate to have such a great Woodpecker in your midst. I have never seen one here in my area.
Gotta run but hope to be back later, gotta get back to work. Just seeking in from time to time to keep up with the posts in reading them.
Marula, I’m so happy that you got to see Ndula and Msholo sparring/wrestling. Wasn’t it wonderful to see the babies rolling and kicking and sometimes snuggling a little?… I love the way you’re comparing things to a kaleidoscope. Kaleidoscopes are so fascinating and beautiful; I’ve always had at least one since I was little, but several years ago I was able to buy an inexpensive kit to make your own and keep changing the things in the “wheel”–I mess around with it, still, put old transparent beads and buttons and paperclips and all sorts of small things, sometimes just certain colors. Bluejays are indeed for real, and–rare in the bird world–the female is just like the male! Yes, she is gorgeous. Not only that, but they’re related to crows, who are certainly the opposite of colorful. (I like crows, however.) I had all kinds of birds here today though none for too long: cardinals and American goldfinches and once a redwinged-blackbird. (Now do I confess to Marula that I had to look up “etonnant”? Yep. My French is limited and also super-rusty since I haven’t used it for many years.) I didn’t know that the paintings on pottery and chinaware were seasonal; I do know that the changing seasons are very clearly-defined, due to what I know about haiku–that certain words, at least in poetry, immediately mean a certain time of year. (Can’t recall some of that, but like chrysanthemums for autumn and cherry-blossoms for spring, but it’s more complicated than just a few flowers.) And I was aware of it in connection with some paintings, but not kimono embroidery.
Wasn’t Nusu’s Msholo video marvelous? That’s the clearest and closest I ever saw him in all these years. I always thought he was very handsome (more than Mabu) but he’s downright magnificent. And so gentle. I really liked the fact that Nusu told a little about him, too, that was great for anyone who doesn’t “know” him.
Me! I did watch them too. Buzzz…🐝
They looked like doing a treasure-hunting. It was a good sand-pile at first. Soon, ellies completely flattened it out. It was so sweet that Zuli and Kaia were rolling around right in the centre surrounded by the big ellies doing their business.
Gawa, thank you so much for the important information about ellie’s sight- they can only recognise red and green.
What an “E”ducational week for all EEE! Of course, Esampu made her mind that she will be wearing red!
Nusu, how amazing your video was! I loved it. You’ve got such a great selection of Msholo 🐘 since your trip including the screen grab from yesterday as well😁
Lana, I think it was my first time ever to hear Ndula and Msholo sparring together and it’s wonderful. I would say-Finally!! I missed the good bits but I did see what you saw after distracted by your woodland friends. I’ve been keeping records every time you mention ones.
Speaking of your wonderland, I’m not sure how I can keep up with your amazing acquaintances who pay a visit to say hello every day. Your wildlife stories are so colourful and mesmerising to me just like a kaleidoscope. It keeps changing its patterns as you turn it, you try to absorb all the colourfulness and the patterns you see but you’ll get lost in half way. So you take it off from your eye to rest, but once you close your eyes, you can still see it within you. Your “kaleidoscope” wisdom you gave me before is my absolute favourite. Now, I can reveal this to you that I didn’t know what kaleidoscope means when you told me, so I had to look it up. But my language barrier actually made things much more exciting. Because I realised that it was my favourite thing! and quickly grabbed mine which was ALWAYS at my desk sitting in front of me. It’s like the story of The Blue Bird.
To talk about the blue bird, ( can you tell I’m linking each of the topics as I go along 😉) Is a blue jay for real?! When I looked up to see the images, my jaw fell to the floor and it didn’t come back to me for a long time. How astonishing they are! Oh my goodness! Which planet are you from? il est très étonnant! He IS such a beauty!!( I assume male birds are more beautiful than females? ) I heard them chirping in a youtube video. I mimicked them singing. Now I’ve got so many to have a look in the images of “your” wild animals and also Jan’s!!! I’m a Busy buzzy bee🐝
I am very familiar with the art-kintsugi and the beauty of paintings on plates and vases. But I’ve never heard a person describing it so poignantly beautiful for the art and metaphorically reflecting to our life. Every bit of your words are nectar to me and enriching my soul every day. I’m very grateful. Thank you so much. Lana, do you know the paintings on our tea bawls/chinaware/vases have meaning and very seasonal (flora and fauna) so that we have to change them in each season or different occasions. Just like the pairings and embroidery on silk kimonos. But unfortunately, those traditions are fading away. I was very lucky that I was able to absorb those things since I was little which has influenced me greatly and they are part of who I am.
Who else saw the wonderful long episode with the babies playing in the dust?! THANK YOU to the cam operator for staying with it for all that time! (This would have been around noon Pacific.)
Good morning, Marula! It’s early afternoon here in NY and not yet noon in Escondido, where I think (!) the ellies are clustered around a sleeping baby, but it’s hard to tell with all those legs and trunks forming a “forest” around a partially-seen lump that might even be an enrichment item. Your message to Northern California was beautifully worded and yes, you are and always will be a friend-soul-mate. And I think your friend from whom you distanced yourself to protect yourself from the pain, if she loved you, would understand why you did that; sometimes the losses are more than we think we can bear. And we may be correct about that, they finally seem to admit that a person can “die from a broken heart.” Your English is wonderful, and I am so glad we can “talk” like this, though it must be an ordeal sometimes between the language and the slow typing, bless your heart. (I know a bit of French and I used to write to my aunt the way you do, with a dictionary in one hand. It’s a lot of work, and hard to find the right words sometimes, too. And French is a lot “easier” than English, which is such a mishmash in how it not only borrows from so many other languages, has erratic spelling and weird grammar, but also so much slang.) You certainly were a night-owl. I would have answered you right after you wrote but I was on my way to do an errand before it posted so I only saw it after you’d signed off for the night… I think we very likely were previous-life sisters, or mother(s) and daughter(s), or very close friends, and it is not one-way. As for Northern California, I think she, like you, is just overwhelmed by finding a soul-friend in such an unlikely way–and afraid to believe it can be so. I have less difficulty believing it because a similar thing has happened to me once before; it’s a very rare and precious thing, and as Northern California says, “a surprise gift from the Universe.” The whole hooman and ele connection here is rather incredible–that this many people share so much, not only our love for elephants but other interests too. And at the risk of anthropomorphizing, I like to think that the ellies–with their great minds and memories–would approve of it all; they are so interested in everything, and maybe they have such feelings and relationships themselves, how can we know?
Oh, here’s your little bee! I’ve missed her!
Jan, you were so lucky to watch Msholo lying down for so long! Wow. Speaking of canaries the other day–I just had several goldfinches out here this morning–tried a new seed mix that I hope the squirrels won’t be so fond of, they’ve been a real scourge around here for the birds and chipmunks. Also male and female cardinals came to visit, yay!
esampu, thanks for the Facebook info. Not sure how much scrolling I can do, but I’ll try to see some of them for sure! No such thing as “too many” ele pictures! Especially never too many BABY elephant pictures.
Gawa+Nusu, Look at me! I’m waving to you!
I posted my 2nd “correct” guesses soon after but it was too late wasn’t it? Oh, no. The screen grab says Luti…
I’m shouting out, “ It was Msholo ~!” Nusu~, it was your best buddies, Msholo~!!”
Buzzz…🐝I hope you guys heard me. Thanks for sharing the picture.
A little snippet from this morning, everyone is in the smaller yard right now (8.40 am PT). Swazi decided to try to take a hay box from one of the smaller ones, and the smaller one would not give it up. Swazi tried pushing the small one away from the box and then the small one went and stood by M’sholo, protector to all! Swazi immediately gave up and joined Nisa at a feeder ball. Another elephant also tried to push Nisa away from the feeder ball but they were also not successful and they moved on to sharing with M’sholo. What a sweet, gentle bull he is! I love how he doesn’t mind sharing.
There’s so much to keep up with, but I read it all, so thanks to everyone for posting! I haven’t been able to keep up super closely the past day or two because I’ve been very busy with the last few weeks of my semester. It’s so cool that some of you go to catch Mr. M’sholo laying down! I caught that myself many months ago and it was awesome. Much more common is to see Zuli laying down, as many of us have commented on. He’s my favorite lazy bones. Kaia does seem to be much more energetic.
Wanted to share another possible place for photos. On the SDSZP Facebook page, there is a woman who’s been sharing screen grabs from the cam periodically. There are some really great ones. It can be found here: facebook.com/sdzsafaripark/posts_to_page/
You have to sift through many other posts, but it’s worth it!
Just quickly–wonderful sight this morning around 7:00 Pacific! When I tuned-in, there was Ndula lying down on the dirt pile with Zuli and Nisa standing by. Zuli kept moving around and touching his mother but Nisa was just there, giving Zuli a little attention from time to time. Then Msholo came from off-cam as Ndula was getting up, and they playfully and gently sparred/trunk-wrestled before she finally got to her feet, with Zuli in the background on the dirt pile imitating his mother’s half-risen position and trying to spar with Nisa! Then I lost a bit, because I got distracted by a bluejay, 3 chipmunks, and a pileated woodpecker (the first time I’ve seen him, really, he was on-the-wing for about 5 seconds the only other time). When I came back, Ndula and Msholo were standing over by the “wall,” and Zuli was rolling around in the dirt with Nisa supervising. Then here came sweet Kami, and Zuli abandoned poor Nisa and hurried to greet her, an absolutely precious long greeting, he kept trunk-kissing her and caressing the lower half of her face and her chin, that he could reach from his tiny height. She was touching him back, of course. Then she backed up to Ndula, who must have rumbled a greeting too; and she put her leg forward for Zuli to “nurse.” He did, for a few seconds, as if to please her rather than himself, I decided, because then he immediately turned around and began really nursing from his mother. It was just such a beautiful “family” scene. Nisa was still there, but a little way distant at that point.
Back later to answer comments, Jan and Marula. Oh, Nusu, the Msholo video was stellar!–just wonderful!
Yay, I’ve got Jan’s big trunk wave just before I go to bed. And thank you for telling us it was Msholo lying on the sand! Wow, you watched him for 7mins? And managed to take screen grabs too! I saw him literally 3 seconds and the cam panned away. Lucky you! 🌟 Seeing Msholo like that last night IS a good luck symbol. I predict that you’ll have a nice thing waiting for you ahead 😁 you’ll see.
Lana, good morning! I just posted to Northern California after taking two and a half hours writing to her. I’ve told you about my slow typing. Now you know because English is not my second language and I don’t speak fluently. I write mine with my dictionary and with big help from the spellchecker. Though I still manage to make lots of mistakes on my comments. Anyways I didn’t realise it’s already 8:15 am in New York.
I should’ve made my guesses after reading your previous comment so that I was confidently say it was Msholo to Jewl, Gawa+Nusu. You did fill in my gaps which I didn’t see! Watson, that’s why I need you😉Thank you. You even mentioned that there were Ndula and Zuli when he arrived there at the time. That was the answer! I hope Gawa’s posted her screen grab so that you can see it too.
I am now trying to type first to catch you. I read your post below. Yes, I am a night owl tonight 🦉I’m still awake, Lana.
It’s unbelievable that I get to hear from you first about your New Age friend’s belief. That was exactly how I’ve been feeling about you. Well, it IS my religious belief that certain people, friends and family for example, are known from previous lives and connected one another. I had this belief towards you but I just didn’t tell you so. Because I thought you might feel it too much and weird of me. It is so strange that we think so much alike and read each other’s mind. Also we have become close astonishingly fast. I do believe we had met in previous life- sisters or maybe I was your Mum!?😚 or something like that. Speaking of synchronicity we talked before, I do also believe that there are cause and reason for us becoming friend-soulmate too. Everything, has happened before us and will happen, IS so connected -woven together with the luminous thread. ( yours and Northern California’s beautiful words and my weaving all put together ✨) Is it okay to call us that? It’s not my one-way love to you? I hope. If you read my comment to Northern California, you’ll understand why I’m so surprised about us. We were writing to Northern California at the same time at one point, weren’t we? telling her that we love her❤️( I really want to give her a good and short nickname.Typing her name is too long for me. I’ve been thinking about it for quite a while. something relating to the blue ocean, of course. If she doesn’t mind me calling ) And we all share the same feeling for each other. That’s what I kept telling her but she just didn’t believe me. Silly, Northern California 😁
It’s the middle of the night. But I want to scream with joy after you talked about you and I -“astonishing”! I’m still on your “thought-waves” surfing happily. Whooo hooo 🏄♀️ 🌊 Thank you so much. As I said to Northern California, I do want to establish strong friendships with you to continue through the future. We’ve got our ellies with us. So I think we’ll be alright. There’s no rush and hurry between us. Because we always look out for each other.
There are so much more to talk to you. But I will leave it to tomorrow. I know that you’ll wait for me when I wake up❤️
It’s 6:30 am in Escondido. I’ll have a sneak peek what the ellies are doing right now and then, I’m off to bed.😴
Dropping in for a high, good morning trunk wave!!! I’m swamped at work, working 13 hour days and have to keep going, but always have time to sneak peek a look at our Elephant Herd!
I was able to watch some of Msholo laying down in the sand pile last night. I watched about 7 minutes before the cam panned away. I was shocked to see him laying there! Tossing his trunk too and fro, as the kids do sometimes. He showered himself with some sand and looked like he was basking in a world he’d never been to before. He was so peaceful looking. Ndula and Zuli were by the passageway drinking from the concrete ditch. I guess rainwater is a delicacy. I was so excited I grabbed quite a few screenshots. Never know when you’ll see that again.
Thank you, Monitor, for the link to “The Volunteers.” I have to go back and read more, as I had to rush through it. What wonderful people giving of their time.
See ya’ll around the habitat! Have a great day hooman herd!
My dearest friend, Northern California. I got your message when it was about 1:00 am (your time). I went outside to look for the stars about 12:15 am and found Orion clearly in the sky. I did think of you at that time, probably it was when you were writing to me? If so, we were connected with the thought-waves that time! I was kind of talking to you, “Northern California, I can see the beautiful stars tonight!” Because you asked me that last time. The air was so crisp but I could smell little smoke from neighbour’s chimney which I quite like. I kept checking the blog just in case you might pop in. In fact, I think of you and whisper Lana’s name many times during a day and every day. It’s so often that might scare you two away. I was so happy that you did leave the most precious message to ME! Your words are so deep as the blue ocean that I’m not sure I can express my feeling back to you within my limited words. As you said, our dear ellies brought us all together. And I think there is no other to compare this extraordinary phenomenon. As you know, joining in the hooman hard is the only thing I’ve ever involved in. And I was able to make true friends who I call friend-soul mates. I don’t know it might be a one-way love though. But I honestly think I’ve got ones. I’ve told you this a few times before. Yes, I consider you and Lana ARE my friend-soul mates if you kindly accept me as one. You two are my best friends of mine in a spiritual way. I admire you and look up to you. I don’t know your face. I live far far away from you. And Northern California, I don’t get to hear from you so often than others. To be honest, none of them matters to me. As I said, our souls are connected, which have got no figures and don’t require distance and time either. I once desired of sending a postcard/ letter to one another by a snail mail ( because I used to do it with my dear old friend and I missed doing those things sometimes ) but that doesn’t matter to me anymore. I can’t explain it well but I feel our friendships are now strong enough to hold anything without breaking it. As your beautiful way of saying, the luminous thread has already begun twining our souls and binding together. I used to worry at the beginning ( the time when we’re getting to know each other ) that I might loose the chance myself or slipped away from my hand. Whenever I have something precious to me, I worry first and kind of distance from it because I’m afraid of losing it. So I cut it off from myself. I never told about this to anyone apart from my family. It is my deepest regret that I sought of distanced myself from her a few years before her passing. Because I just couldn’t bear myself that I eventually had to say goodbye to her. Doing such a selfish thing, I did hurt my friend and make her very sad. But at the same time I was hurting myself too. Because since I lost her, I hadn’t been able to make a new friend- a true friend that I can call.
I really want to believe that I was given a second chance. With your own word, I do believe that this is a surprise gift from the Universe too. I’m still not sure where this will take me but I don’t want to lose this incredible friendships that hardly come by in my life. I’m very careful and tentative when it comes to trusting myself and other people. I told you I am broken and twisted. But I don’t know why I can be so vulnerable in front of you and entirely honest to you. It’s a good start, isn’t it? We are well protected under ellies charm and I started feeling confident about myself that I will be able to conquer my curse. In many years later, I want to see us here very casually talking about ellies and ourselves just like we do now. I’m sure my message to you will be soon gone and securely concealed under the Escondido spell. Before it disappears, I hope you’ll get my message to you tonight and I will keep reminding you this in the future as well-“I love you and thank you for being my true soulmate.”
Your Marula.
Northern California, you would never intrude; there is always room for another (and others) around our storytelling campfire under those stars, and gossamer threads connecting all of us in a web of sharing. (I had a friend who was very New Age and she believed that certain people or even groups of people “know” each other from previous lives and, if they are fortunate, find each other again in the next one. I’m not New Age but I do think this must be true, because how else explain some of these almost instant bonds we feel with people we have never seen or spoken-with? The souls of certain people call out for certain things, and sometimes they are answered.) It is true about Marula and I, and that it really is “astonishing;” things like this are so rare. You are special to me, as well–all of our hooman herd are special, but there are always certain ones who seem to share more interests and experiences and emotions. Some of us are like the little orphans at Sheldrick’s, and SDZSP is our “Nursery” where we find others to comfort and support us, and–in this case with our comments back and forth–“play” with us as well… I am so sad to hear that things are particularly “challenging” for you right now; it is so much worse to have a sick child than to be sick oneself. And yes, it’s very hard to keep up with all the comments these days, but “ain’t it grand” to have so many enthusiastic people sharing sightings and information and opinions (whether one agrees or not–like you, I think life would be very boring if everyone didn’t have their own ideas).
Jewel, it does seem to be that Zuli sleeps more than Kaia does. I wonder if that’s typical for little-boy ellies since they get bigger faster–they need more rest, and more food too! Their personalities are amazingly different, almost the opposite of what you’d expect. Yeah, I know, stereotypes to think that the little-girl would be the quiet one and the little-boy would be the one tearing around with endless energy. But that Kaia is a real dynamo and like one of those toddlers who gets into everything until her mother is exhausted! She’s the one who should have been named “Wanderer.” I laughed when you saw that you’d misspelled your name; the other day I was typing fast and discovered I was “one key over” on the whole keyboard and had typed an impossible combination for my e-mail signature! Luckily I saw it before I clicked “post comment” or I’m sure the SD comp would have rejected it and sent me back to fix it–which sometimes is a disaster and you lose the whole comment!
How exciting to see Msholo lying down! That’s so unusual–he probably does lie down a couple of times a day but we hardly ever see that on the cam. Marula, you’re still our champion elephant-identification expert!
It’s still “nighttime” in Escondido, but the cam is aimed at the lower yard and I can just barely discern the shape of the “Stonehenge,” and a blurry nearly-black blob that moved just enough to know it’s an adult (by the size) ele near the fence… waiting for the sunrise and anticipating the new day and maybe, like us, wondering what “adventures” it will bring in relationships, enrichment, Keeper interactions, and just plain “things to see”: weather, other wildlife, some formerly dormant plant with leaves or flowers opening, sharing memories or observations with the other ellies, and what on Earth will “those kids” do next?!
Marula, the nourishing African tree, are you out under the stars tonight or is it too rainy and cold? Though I don’t have anywhere near the soul friendship bond that you and Lana have, I have been catching the hints of the mysterious parts of you (which I was already getting hints of it from the very beginning from the beautiful, poetic way you write), though I don’t want to intrude on your and Lana’s very special connection (which it truly is). That’s why months ago, I said that you and Lana, are friend-soul mates–I meant between the two of you. Though I felt very honored you thought I was including me, I was talking about what I observed as the almost mystical, uncanny, intuitive connection between the two of you and it has only grown stronger. Sometimes it is quite astonishing. In my own life, I just love those very special intuitive connections that unfold like a surprise gift from the Universe. Hooman herd, though lately, I can barely keep up with reading all the wonderful posts, let alone join in the lively discussions with all of you, they are a tether which keeps me grounded to the Earth and connected to like-minded souls. I feel like our bond together, because of “our” dear ellie herd is very special, even if we don’t always agree with one another. That’s ok. Wouldn’t life be boring if we all thought the same way? I appreciate each of your perspectives, wisdom and love of learning and especially your love and passion for “our” ellies and the ellies around the world. I’m so exhausted and can’t add too much more tonight because things are super challenging right now. I send you all a trunk wave of gratitude and love as you sleep and a Kaia-like trumpet of excitement for when you wake up in the morning.
Hi, Jewel, Gawa+Nusu, forget about my previous guesses, please. And let me start it again. I thought it was Msholo too at first. That was why I screen grabbed one at 6:20 pm with such an excitement. Like you guys, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. But When I came back later to have a look at it again just before 7:00 pm. I couldn’t find him anywhere. So my doubts kicked in. Was it really Msholo? So I just assumed that he was at the other side with Umngani. I could see the ele was male. So I guessed it had to be Lito. If it wasn’t Msholo. Still doubting myself, the size of his body and tusk was just simply too big for Luti, telling myself that the Cam can trick you sometimes. Hours later with clearer mind, I checked the resemblances with my Msholo’s pictures and the picture this time focusing his ears only. Yes, I can see the exact same notches that Msholo has! My apologies with my previous guesses. Nusu, there’s no disappointment there. You are right! I think it’s your hero, Msholo!!! BTW, Did you spot him standing at the upper yard around that time? I look forward to seeing your screen grab with hopefully different angle from mine. To be continued…
I just love playing “Who’s who?” game with you guys!❤️
Here’s lounging Luti: https://imgur.com/gallery/mA8ZOUk It was so awesome to see him so relaxed and at peace for a change. p.s. I hope they lower the red car wash brush for the babies. 🙂
Hi Jewel. I happened to tune in for a few seconds at 6:20 pm as well before I ran and I screen grabbed because the ele looked like an adult for my eyes too. Now I checked the picture. The ele isn’t Khosi because with left tusk. It’s Luti. I wasn’t sure it was Swazi or Liti. But I looked closer and the ele has got a flat chest with tiny nipples. So it is Luti. And the Umamgani family and Msholo are all at the lower yards right now.
Hi! We thought that was MSholo!? I took a screen grab because we couldn’t believe our luck looking at the cam right at that moment. I will post it later so others can chime in, Jewel.
oops. mispelled my name.
6:20 pm. Is that Khosi on the sand pile? So unusual for me to see an adult ele lying down in the day time. At times I see them in lower shelter in the early mornings when it is still foggy looking outside. I seem to see Zulu sleeping more than Kaia but maybe the focus is on him more, I also see him nursing more. Kaia seems to have to eat on the run as Mama U is frequently on the move. Both are thriving though. It may be age difference or personality but Zuli seems to be content to entertain himself with branches where Kaia is wandering about.
This is why we chose to wear red when we visited the park: Elephants have only two cone cells, red and green, or Dichromic vision. We read that the colors that an elephant can see are similar to what a color-blind human can see. 😃 If you look at the San Diego Zoo account on Instagram there is a new and very cool video about their amazing volunteers.
Hi, Gawa. I don’t think Kami is as thin as it looks in the picture, I think it’s probably the camera-angle and the direction the light is coming from. I’ve often been surprised at how “visible” the elephants’ spines are, I think much moreso than Asian ellies are? (I’m too weary tonight to go searching for a bunch of photos to compare African and Asian bone structure, but we know there are a LOT of differences from skull-shape and trunk-finger(s) to ribs and toenails… and ears, of course!) I saw part of the “grassfest” (love that name you gave it) today, too. I had to laugh at your “wasn’t a snack for them” comment!–too funny! I was looking at a photo I took last year of a hummer in my garden and it was May 15!–there won’t be any flowers this year, that early (last year we had planted a lot of new flowers as there were very few here when I moved in)–I usually rely on natural “food” for them but I think maybe I’d better dash off and get a small cheap feeder to hang where the fuschias usually are!
Paula, good ID of Kami!
Marula, Swazi’s bump and Neepo-vs.-Ingadze’s tusk-lengths are what I usually use to ID them, too, although not so precisely with the tusks as you so sometimes I’m not quite sure if I’m seeing Neepo or Kami if the angle is wrong. Yes, re: Umngani’s tail hair, she really “has it all,” huh? She is such a beautiful ele… “Kumara” for sweet potato; Maori has some lovely words that slide across the tongue like honey, doesn’t it?… I have to go find that link about the volunteers from the Monitor, in fact I think I’ve missed a couple of things from the Monitor because I haven’t had a chance to re-read some of the older comments the way I usually do.
I saw Zuli trying to reach the car-wash brush, too–I could hardly believe it. That’s one ambitious little-boy elephant!
I’m pretty sure I found that clue. 🙂 And another one or two.
So you know what kintsugi is! The tea bowl must be very beautiful. Much of the older Japanese china and pottery, that were made in “Nippon,” especially hand-painted china with bits of gold as part of the patterns, is truly Art, the colors and brush-work are exquisite.
I see Msholo is in the upper yard (5:00 Pacific) munching away on his hay, all casual and suave with his ankle crossed. Not sure who the other ele is at the other box, with her (I think it’s “her”) posterior turned to the cam. Aha. He came over and appropriated the box, and it’s Ndula, and here comes Zuli… Time for me to focus on the cam!
Thanks, all! Okay, so the first Ellie on the very left heading towards Umngani and her kids (Neepo and Kaia) is Kami, correct? Does she look really thin as in her spine seems to be really showing?
When I first tuned, it was raining in Escondido. Zuli was spotted under the big “umbrella”. I also saw a lady by the sunshade umbrella wearing a shocking neon pink rain-poncho. She was bold to wear such an eye-opening colour but surely stood out of all other visitors for sure. She was rocking it. Esampu, what do you think? Can you handle the colour yourself? And probably neon blue for your fiance.That would make us so easy to spot you guys.
It’s 2: 40 pm. Everyone is at the barn waiting for the next move. I just saw Zuli trying to reach the hanging red brush roll( it looks like a car wash roll) and Kaia laying her trunk over his rear for support. It’s too high for him. Now he tried one more time, mounting on Kaia as a ladder to stretch his neck and trunk to reach. It’s going to take him a long long time unless the keepers notice and hang it very low for the babies. His big half brother Neepo came and trunk-hugged him and his baby sister. Then, he showed them how to do it. So cool.
Lana, your magnet says it all. “Even broken crayons can still color” I made the magnet myself with the quote and smiling broken crayons and put it on my fridge. So every morning I open the fridge and I feel self-acceptance. Wow, it’s just a kids loving magnet saying yet it’s got so deep meaning within. Thank you so much for the message.
I’m very astonished by your wisdom and sharpness and mostly your foresight every day. I’ve been adding a fragment of hints who Marula is past a few weeks. And it seems like you’ve got one correctly..I purposely typed without emojis on the particular comment to stand out among my emoji- overloaded ones. Because there was another clue there. And I also did hint when we talked about the snail mail as well as we passionately talked about monarchs and birds with everyone. The place kuriri landed for migration was rather interested me then. You gave me such a butterfly in my stomach this morning. Ha-ha-. A butterfly came and migrate in my stomach 😆 My mum has got such a beautiful kintsugi tea bowl which is used for a tea ceremony in my country, which was handed over my grandmother. It is so dainty and precious so we just keep it as a display.
I will look for TES and Shirley later and talk to you soon.
What? The superheroes of my emoji are wearing red. But the cyberspace creature interpreted them in blue. Now it looks confusing 😅
Blog monitor, thank you so much for the link- the article of our superheroes!!🦸♀️ 🦸♂️ ( it is at Esampu’s 4/27) I never imagined that the hay and bamboo shoots and other fresh greens are “hand clipped” all gathered by those hardworking volunteers for the ellies ( and other green loving friends). Yes, their work IS priceles! I’m so glad that I got to read the article and found out that SDZSP definitely can NOT operate without them. It’s so coincidental that Gawa+Nusu decided to wear the red shirts that day. And we all did “Where’s Wally?” game and jokingly made a fuss about those red shirts wearing imposters. If they wore different colours, it didn’t get Blog monitor’s attentions today.
Now, I’ve got such a great affection towards those people in red shirts at SDZSP! Thank you to all 2000+ individuals for the amazing works and your dedication!❤️ You guys are awesome 😎 👏
I just woke up and found you guys doing a “Who’s who” game without me! Count me in😁! I agree with Paula. It’s Neepo who is right next to MamaU. If you look at Gadze’s tusks The ratio is equal 1:1 ( at least for now) from his his eyes to his last skin where the thick tusks grow from /:/ from the point where they grow to the tip of his tusks. Can you understand me? Whereas Neepo’s tusks are much shorter than his brother’s. The ratio is almost 2:1. I have another way of telling“which is which” Umangani brothers from counting up the trunk-wrinkles between his tusks but I need a very crisp sharp photo to do that though. I know it’s too “academic” and way advanced for you.🧐Anyways, the Ellie walking(facing)towards her is Kami, followed by little Nisa. And the adult ele is definitely Swazi by the look of her tail hair. It should’ve been so fun, if she was showing the other side of her bottom. Because she’s got a tiny round bump on her right side that I can identify Swazi only looking from her bottoms. And I can tell Ndula only from her tail hair too. It’s very distinctive looking. I like hers tail which has got such a personality. If you know what I mean 😏. BTW, Mama U’s tail hair is very long. Yes, even, her tail hair is the most beautiful one of all! Thanks, Gawa for the fun game. And I do look forward to your hummies!
P.S. The mystery of the veggie bucket was finally revealed!
I’m so happy that SDZSP ellies and I both share the love of sweet potatoes – we call it, kumara (Maori word for sweet potato)
Now, I’ll talk to my friend Watson. I think he already knows where I’m from…wow, he’s good.
Gawa, after looking at the picture again, that is not Khosi facing left that is an adult female elephant, Khosi is becoming a big girl, but not quite that big, yet. I still believe that it is Kami in the picture you are asking about.
Gawa, It appears to be Kami, the first elephant walking from the left towards Umngani, with Nisa behind her and Khosi facing the opposite direction. It looks like Neepo is standing next to his mother, along with Kaia. The picture appears to make Kami look a lot smaller than Khosi so can be confusing.
I think I should have said the first elephant on the left with his or her butt facing us in this screen grab I took of the grassfest today: https://imgur.com/kgOz31F
Can any of you identify the first younger ellie heading towards Umngani?
Lana, we keep thinking of more things and will share them in a future post. Btw, we joked that the Ellie’s were just disappointed that Keeper Lauren’s newborn wasn’t a snack for them… 🙂 And thank you for sharing the Kintsugi info…such a beautiful way to think about damage.
Marula, we are going to take a photo to share on Insta of one of our little hummies perched on our red tomato plant cage standing guard over one of our feeders….they’ve been chasing each other off like crazy lately!
Gawa+Nusu, all the additional information about SDZSP/ellies that you posted yesterday was “a goldmine.” I was surprised that the ellies didn’t want to sniff Lauren’s baby, but if she’d been gone for 6 months on maternity leave, that may be why–this was no longer a “newborn.” Ah, poor little Kami… I am so glad to hear that the “habitat” is indeed huge; I was pretty certain that there was a lot of territory we never saw on the cam but happy to have that confirmed… I’ll bet Kaia had one of those “swamped by the tidal wave” experiences like Neepo had when he was about her age; I think I talked about that in a previous blog. I remember, which I’m not sure I said in that comment, that on one of his not-want-to-go-in-the-water-days, I saw Kami (ever sweet and patient) giving him a hug and then leading him along the bottom step almost in the water–she walking backwards to encourage him to come down a little farther. He didn’t go in, that day, but a few days later I saw him in there with his mother… Definitely appreciated the list of the snack-time foods… Of course the adults would all be food-focused; in the wild they mostly eat for I think about 16 hours a day? maybe more. Got to keep those huge bodies fueled, plus of course they don’t absorb a rather large portion of what they eat… I’ll have to see about finding a copy of “Whale Tales.”
esampu, I think we all believe Umngani needs some “extra food time” and I think they’re making sure that she gets it. If it’s obvious to us that she’d been having a problem, it’s certainly something the Keepers are well aware of. She looks okay, not “losing condition” as they say at Sheldrick’s, and Kaia is fat and sassy and clearly well-fed on her mother’s milk. We do worry, don’t we! Yes, Shirley’s story is a real emotional tour-de-force, it makes me cry, too, but I’m so thankful she is at TES now. And like you, I hope and pray Nosey can stay at TES!
Marula, first before I forget, thank you for the “extended story” of the twilight pool party, that was marvelous to read–and that Msholo stood up on his hind legs for you to see “live!” (Nothing beats seeing things live on cam, does it? It is so awesome to think: This is happening RIGHT NOW, half the world away!” Well, maybe a few seconds’ delay with the signal, but that doesn’t count! 🙂 )… You said that you were rather broken. All of us–there may be a few exceptions, lucky souls–are “broken” in some way; some are just chipped or cracked, some shattered, either physically or emotionally or both. I was thinking about this, that we mend ourselves as best we can and sometimes then we’re better people in some ways. And I remembered something I read in connection with Japanese pottery, that they kept mended things and they were considered valuable. I couldn’t remember the “name” of it but the Internet found it for me when I explained it in a few words. It is called “Kintsugi” and they say it is “recognizing beauty in broken things.” The literal translation is “golden joinery/joining”–the art itself is over 500 years old. When something breaks, they “glue” the pieces together with gold-dust lacquer instead of throwing the shards away in the trash. I didn’t read all of it yet, but I presume it is anything that is “valuable” to the owner, whether monetary value or artistic (probably most common) or sentimental. So then it is what it was before, but also it is changed into something else. (Back to our “transformation” symbolism with the monarch butterflies. The butterfly is still the caterpillar, but different and also more beautiful.) On a more everyday level, I want to add with a smile, I have a cheap refrigerator magnet that says: “Even broken crayons can still color.” 🙂 None of us are perfect. We just do the best we can.
I think of this “best we can” in connection with the ellies, too–individually, we can’t do much for them, but even little things are helpful–just talking about them to people, how wonderful they really are, changing opinions about them–yes, it’s nice if you can donate even $5 but the “word of mouth” is every bit as important. Perhaps moreso. I have had more than one person, to whom I’ve casually mentioned things in the course of conversation or in a letter, say that they had no idea elephants were like that. And with all the–ahem!–perceptive and educational elephant-things we talk about in our blog, and how individual and special each ele is, people reading here are learning about them as well as maybe deciding to go to the Safari Park to see them for themselves–which would then make THEM talk more about ellies and how wonderful they are and the ways that they need to be saved from extinction.
Gawa, that looks like Gadze to me! The clues are he is close to Umngani and that his tusks both flare out. He looks very distinctive. I’ll let the experts correct me if I’m wrong 🙂
Lana~! It’s only past 10 pm. But I can’t keep my eyes open any longer. I’ll get back to you tomorrow. (I’m typing this lying on my bed), I must leave this message to you. I’m biting my lower lip while typing so that I won’t fall asleep 😴
What you said about me “Marula” today was so huge as the marula tree itself. I was absolutely overwhelmed and I couldn’t take all in at once. Your word was lingering in my mind all day. I’m not so sure that I’m that big of a person. It’s you that make me want to come back here. It IS you and my hooman herd that sustain who I am and who I truly want to be as a person. I’m certainly not perfect. I’m rather broken. But since I met you, I quite like who I am now because you say that you like me. As the ellies are always waiting for me in the valley, you are always here to welcome me with your arms wide open. Thank you.You made me feel very special Yes. as well as my heart, it was very sunny.
I’m absolutely delighted to know that Lana is your true name. I just love the sound of your name. It’s a very beautiful name. I’ve loved it so much because it belongs to you, even if it were a code-name. I notice myself smiling a lot these days since I’ve discovered the magic spell that makes me warm and fuzzy inside, whenever I whisper it—“Lana”. ❤️
That twilight pool party sounds amazing and we’re so bummed me missed it — especially that spray thing Swazi does with her trunk. Did anyone else see Zuli trailing (chasing?) Kaia all over the big yard this afternoon? He was relentless and at first, she seemed OK with it but then she started running away because he also kept trying to mount her? (It’s so funny how she’s learned to back up into him to force him off or he’ll lose his balance.) It got kind of rough, though, when she was running by the pile of logs and he basically knocked her onto them and tackled her. She probably trumpeted loudly and then I am pretty sure it was Kami who came running over to the rescue and split them up…whew! We yelled “Hey!” very loudly as we watched it and were so relieved super nanny Kami appeared and then kept an eye on them as they slowed for a minute but then it pretty much continued for a bit before they all headed over by the pool to get a drink and entertain the decent-sized crowd there.
I posted a screen grab I took of the grassfest today: https://imgur.com/kgOz31F
Can any of you identify the first younger ellie heading/facing right?
Also, Nusu’s links to a few of the earlier Insta posts are now clickable in his post from Apr 27th. (Thank you SO much blog monitor!)