Meet the Flower Family

Agapantha, matriarch of the Flower family

The Flower family is one of Lewa’s most frequently seen families because, like tourists, they spend a great deal of their time around the swamp.   The matriarch of the family is Agapantha -- a big, old girl with very distinctive, large tusks.   The Flowers are also the largest elephant family found here on the conservancy.

Tulip, a gnarly, old one-tusker

When food is not abundant, a large elephant family often will split into smaller factions.  This makes it easier for everyone in the family to consume the enormous amount of food required on a daily basis.  Such is the case with the Flower family; the splinter group – referred to as Flowers II – is headed by Tulip, a rather gnarly, old one-tusker.  

Agapantha and Bougainvillea joyfully greet one another
Notice the temporal glands streaming down the side of their faces

Although they often do go their separate ways, there is a strong bond amongst family members, and when they come together after long separations, there is a joyous greeting.  Much trumpeting and running around ensues.  Temporal glands are streaming from excitement and trunks are intertwined as tokens of affection.

The Flower family crossing the plains with Agapantha leading
the way and Pansy in the rear

While Daisy and Pansy almost always stay with Agapantha who rarely leaves Lewa, Bougainvillea tends to follow the more adventurous Tulip, who likes to head out to the north on a regular basis. Although the boundary of Lewa is fenced in order to ensure that the rhino do not leave the secure area, there is a “rhino proof” gap on the northern boundary that allows elephant and other wildlife to wander outside of the conservancy.  This opening in the fence has been fitted with a camera that is triggered by the breaking of a laser beam, and Tulip and her entourage are caught “on film” on a regular basis.   Tulip is a wise, old girl and is often photographed leaving Lewa just as the sun sets (and herdsmen will have returned home) and coming back through the gap just as the sun is rising.  But, from time to time, she does lead her family up north where they are at risk of being shot or speared by poachers.  Thus, I always breathe a sigh of relief when I see that Tulip is back on Lewa.

Baby elephant love to play with their friends

The Flower family is very prolific.  Tulip, Agapantha and Pansy all gave birth to calves in 2009.  Daisy gave birth in 2010, and Bougainvillea followed suit the following year.  In early 2012, Agapantha gave birth to yet another baby – a little girl named Amaryllis.  Many of the younger females, including Bergenia, Impatiens, Frangipani, Geranium, Jonquil, Lilac, and Snapdragon have all produced calves in the past few years. 

So, if you are lucky enough to visit Lewa in the coming years, I hope you are able to spend some time watching the newest members of the Flower family playing in the Lewa swamp under the watchful eye of their mothers.