We're Back

Sorry for having gone quiet for several months, but I am now back and promise to be faithful with more stories about the day to day lives of Lewa’s elephant.   Needless to say, much has happened over the past few months – some happy and some sad.

To begin with, I recently saw Alabama and was quite concerned to find her all alone -- except for one large bull.  This most certainly meant that she had lost her little baby girl.  Her two older daughters are weaned and, thus, technically old enough to survive on their own, but it is unusual for young females not to remain with their mother.  This carried on for several days, and I began to fear the worst; however, a few days later, I was relieved to see California and Mississippi reunited with their mother.  It is likely that Alabama was mating with the bull since the loss of her calf would have brought her into estrus.  Time will tell.

We also have been witnessing unusual behavior within the Cheese and Vegetable families -- the two families that I know best.  The Cheeses, who used to appear in my “neighborhood” on almost a daily basis, now seem to spend the majority of their time above Lewa in the Ngare Ndare forest.  In fact, they were absent for such a long time that I became very worried.  Fortunately, I have recently seen them and all is fine. 

Despite their limited time on Lewa, there have been some remarkable events with the Cheese family.  On 6 March, Mozzarella gave birth to a baby girl just below our house!  Much to my surprise, however, her family was not there to celebrate the new arrival.  There was none of the trumpeting and excitement that usually accompanies the birth of a baby elephant.  In fact, the rest of the Cheeses were nowhere to be seen, and Mozzarella remained around the house for quite some time – all alone except for her new calf whom we have named Emmental.  I suppose she stayed because she knew that she was safe and that food and water were readily available -- but why she was not

Mozzarella is comfortable coming right up to the car for food

with her family remains a mystery.  As my concern for Mozzarella and her baby grew, I made the decision to bring down additional food especially for her.  Each time we drove down to the feeding station, she would come running to the car!

Although she was very excited to see us, she patiently waited a few metres away while we off loaded the hay and molasses.  Once we were safely back in the car, she did not hesitate to come right over and enjoy her feast.  This carried on for several weeks with one or two feedings each day.   She would wander a bit in the hills to graze, but she made sure to stay close enough that she could always here the car as it approached.

Finally, one day, I was relieved to see Camembert walking toward the station.  Although I did not see her reunite with Mozzarella – something I would have loved to witness – Mozzarella and her baby were not seen again for quite some time, and I assumed that they had left with Camembert.  Several weeks then went by without any sighting of the Cheese family or Mozzarella.

Then, just the other day, Camembert reappeared at the feeding station.  Although there was nothing there for them to eat, the family waited patiently – secure in the

Camembert and her family wait patiently while we put out
the grass and molasses

assumption that food would arrive.  Not wanting to disappoint, we quickly loaded the car with grass and molasses and hurried down to the station.  When she heard a vehicle approaching, Camembert began to leave; but, as soon as I called to her, she turned around and came over to the car.  Per usual, she waited calmly just far enough away that it was safe for us to get out of the car and off load “dinner".

Once we were back in the car, Camembert brought her family right over and began to devour the grass that was smothered in the sweet molasses that they love.  Even little Gorgonzola is now old enough to grab mouthfuls. 

Little Gorgonzola is now old enough to
enjoy the sweet molasses

To me, this is one of the most amazing and wonderful experiences ever.  To be standing in the presence of these incredible, massive and majestic animals (who could destroy me with one swipe of a trunk) and know that they trust me enough to stand a few metres away and wait while I put out the food is an experience that defies description. 

However, my delight was cut short when I realized that Mozzarella was not with the family.  The very next day, however, much to my surprise and relief, Mozzarella did reappear -- with the Vegetable family!  What she is thinking I do not know, but she has remained with them since that day.  In addition, Celery and the two boys recently have been traveling with the Cheeses.  

This is not entirely new behavior.  These two families have spent a great deal of time together over the years, particularly when Garbanza, the deceased matriarch of the Vegetable family (who bore a striking resemblance to Camembert), was still alive.  And, in fact, they still come together from time to time.  Carrot also goes back and forth between families.  I suspect that these two families are related which would help to explain this behavior.  To prove this assumption, I collected DNA samples on both Camembert and Garbanza years ago and hope to be able to get it analyzed one day soon.  I will let you know the outcome. 

Next time, more updates on life with Lewa’s amazing and fascinating elephant.