Changes and Surprises

Elephant never cease to amaze.  There is almost always something new, interesting, exciting, and sometimes confusing, going on.

Recently, there have been some changes in appearances, the most obvious being the result of broken tusks.  The very distinctive Artichoke has broken one of her long,

Artichoke's new look

straight tusks; so altered is her appearance that it took a few minutes to realize that it was actually her.  I would equate this change to having someone you know, who has long, dark hair, suddenly appearing with short, blonde hair – it would take a minute or two to recognize her. 

Heron and Rose have somehow managed to break both of their tusks which, in Heron’s case, has resulted in a marked change of appearance. Fortunately, the distinctive cut at the bottom of her left ear makes

Heron before she broke her tusks - note the distinctive
cut in her left ear which makes her easy to identify

her readily identifiable – even without her tusks.  

Heron with her two broken tusks

There also have been some wonderful surprises.  First, the Artist family – which had only been sighted once in July of 2005 -- returned to Lewa.  I actually had begun to doubt my records and, on several occasions, have double-checked that these elephant were not actually part of another family.  Then, a few months ago, they suddenly reappeared at our feeding station!  It took a while to figure out who there were, but I was very excited when I realized that they truly were the Artists – with several new additions.  The family remained on Lewa for several days and then, once again, left for parts unknown.

Shortly thereafter, we had another remarkable reappearance.   Fusilli, one of two big females in the Pasta family, disappeared in 2010.  The family, headed by the matriarch Ziti, continued to visit Lewa from time to time, but Fusilli and her calves were never

Fusilli, casually grazing at the top of
the driveway after having been missing for 5 years

with them.   Because her calves were also missing, I knew there was a chance that she was still alive; but, as the years passed, I became increasingly doubtful that we would ever see her again.  Then, one day in March of this year, we were stunned to find her casually grazing at the top of our driveway.  Her 2005 male calf, Linguine, was still with her as was Cannelloni, her 2009 female calf.  We had seen her mated in January of 2010 and were happy to find that she had a healthy three-year-old calf, whom we dubbed Manicotti.

Finally, Julia, who was the matriarch of the Oscar family, reappeared for a short visit after disappearing back in 2009.  The Oscar family has been seen coming and going during that period but never with Julia.  She suddenly returned one day with a whole new family!  They only stayed for two days and, as far as we know, have not returned.

There is one thing for certain with elephant – nothing is for certain!

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.

An Extraordinary Moment

Over the past ten years, Camembert (see Blogs 5 and 16) and I have logged many hours together, and I usually make a point of talking to her when spending time with her family.  Thus, I strongly suspected that she recognized my voice and was comfortable with my presence.  I also hoped that, on some level, I had earned her trust.

However, I was in no way prepared for the extraordinary moment when Camembert showed me the extent of that trust.  With one simple gesture, she redefined our relationship forever.

On that day, I was taking a guest on a morning game drive, introducing her to the many elephant families here on Lewa.  We were having good luck and had spent time watching the Currency family as they drank, bathed and gave themselves a thorough mud bath.  We also had come across the Liquer family, with its many new babies, in the Lewa swamp.

As we were winding our way around the swamp, I noticed that the Cheese family was walking along the river and was about to cross the road in front of us.  So, I switched off the car to wait and began to tell my guest about the family and its latest addition – Camembert’s new baby boy, Gorgonzola. 

As Camembert started to cross the road, I began, as usual, to talk to her.  When she heard my voice, she turned to face the car – unexpectedly, she then changed direction and began to walk down the road toward us.  To my utter amazement and delight, she stopped next to the car and urged her baby toward my window.  Little Gorgonzola came over to the car by himself, putting his trunk up to the window to get my scent.  We all froze – utterly spell bound. 

After a few minutes, Camembert put her trunk over Gorgonzola’s back and gently pulled him back to her side.  Then, as though this introduction was to be expected, the family quietly proceeded on their way to the swamp. 

MY FRIEND  -- CAMEMBERT

It was a moment that I shall never forget -- one that demonstrated, once again, just how emotional and intelligent elephant truly are. 

Camembert was proud of her precious new baby and wanted to show him off to her friend.  How lucky and honoured am I to be that friend!

Happy Times and Sad Times

It has been wonderful catching up with all of the elephant families this month after having been away for the Christmas holidays.  Like many other areas in Kenya, Lewa is experiencing a baby boom!  And the timing could not be better.  We were fortunate to have had lots of rain in November and December, so there is an abundance of food throughout the conservancy. 

Katydid and her new baby

Almost every time that I meet up with a family, there is at least one new baby.  Among those with new calves are:  Dove, Sparrow, Alabama, Kathmandu, Celine, Tibia, Femur, Piccolo, Tia Maria, Magellan, Cicada, and Katydid.  The Currency family tops the list for new babies as Drachmae, Taka and Lire all gave birth in November, followed by Ruble just last week.   

Camembert and two-day
old Gorgonzola

One of the most exciting events since coming home has been the arrival of Camembert at the house with a two-day old baby boy!  We presumed that she was due to have a baby some time soon because her youngest calf, Havarti, was born in 2009.  But, we had no idea that the big event was imminent; the birth of her calf on the 15^th of January came as a complete but welcomed surprise. Given that Camembert is a very experienced mother and that there is plenty of food available, we expect that her new baby will thrive; so, we have named him Gorgonzola.  I would not be surprised if Jarlsberg had a baby, as well, some time in the next few months.

Kathmandu with Pokhora and
her new calf

Artichoke’s little girl is doing well and we have decided to call her Kale which seems very fitting as her big sister, Spinach, loves to look after her.

Sadly, Celery’s baby did not survive.  I do not know how or when she died, but we have now seen Celery on several occasions, and the baby is no longer with her which can only mean one thing.  As both this calf and the calf before her were born during times when plenty of food and water were available, I am beginning to wonder if perhaps their death is the result of a genetic flaw.