Archive for the ‘Elephant Herd’ Category

Jun
30

I wonder Who’s Moving next Door?

Posted by in Elephant Care,Elephant Herd

Where did the Giraffes go? What is the zoo building now? These are a few of the things zoo guests have been asking when they stretch to look over the construction fence next to the McNair Asian Elephant Habitat. Well, the giraffes have moved to the new African Forest and the zoo is building a new elephant exhibit.

new yard under construction

It may seem like the zoo just built an exhibit and you are right, we did. But, as our herd continues to grow and we try to emulate the wild by creating small family groups, our need for space is also growing. The elephant expansion will be a great new addition to the elephant program. The expansion is just over an acre in size and contains multiple elevated feeders, scratching stumps, several live trees, rocks, and a new pool.

The new pool

The new pool is roughly 80,000 gallons of filtered and sanitized water with large tiered steps to accommodate all of the elephants whether they want to wade in the shallows or submerge in the deep end. All of the elephants will enjoy the pool, but none more than Tucker, Baylor, and Tupelo. The expansion will also feature an area where our elephant caregivers can conduct up close and personal training and husbandry sessions with the elephants. These sessions will provide a much more intimate atmosphere for zoo guests to interact with the elephant care team and hopefully gain a greater appreciation for the magnificence of elephants. This area has rocks and logs which the elephants can walk on to show off their nimbleness and balance. There is also a log pile where the elephants can demonstrate the ways of their ancestors which were used as beasts of burden for thousands of years. Lastly, the expansion area means more space and more options.

Tucker checking out the new digs

As Tucker matures into a solitary bull elephant, he will reap the benefits of having a yard all to himself just like our adult male Thailand. The new yard gives zookeepers a lot more flexibility as to where the elephants spend their days and nights. Zookeepers can rotate which elephants live in each exhibit on a daily basis. This ability to move and shift elephants will provide them with different enrichment opportunities and make them eager to explore.

Written by: Daryl Hoffman, Houston Zoo Large Mammal Curator

Another view of the expansion

 

 

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May
27

Big Daddy

Posted by in Baylor,Elephant Herd,Tupelo

Elephants live in a matriarchal society meaning that herds of elephants generally consist of adult females with their calves.  Baylor and Tupelo spend every day with Shanti and Tess (their mothers) and the rest of the Houston Zoo herd.  Thailand, the zoo’s 45 year old bull elephant, is the father of both calves.   Thai often spends his day in one yard with the herd in the other yard. 

Thai and Baylor

Adult bull elephants are generally solitary creatures.  But, sometimes zoo guests can see Thai in the same yard as the herd.  That is one of the many things that makes Thai a very special bull elephant.  Thai is very good with baby elephants and seems enjoy socializing with the herd.  Baylor and Tupelo also seem to love spending time with Thai.  The calves follow him around and mimic many of his behaviors.  Thai will even sometimes play with the calves and share is hay!  Thai is an excellent father!

Thai and Tupelo

Celebrate Dad by giving him a memorable Father’s Day gift this year – name a Houston Toad after him! With your gift, you help us support Houston Toads, a critically endangered species native to Texas. Click here to learn more about Houston Toads and how you can further the Houston Zoo’s conservation efforts that help ensure their survival. (www.houstonzoo.org/name-a-toad )

Thai, Baylor, Tupelo, & Methai

Come visit the newly-named toads on June 19 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. as we celebrate a TOAD-ally Awesome Father’s Day at the Houston Zoo. This fun, family event will be filled with crafts, activities, Houston Toad info and much more! This event is FREE with your paid Zoo admission.

Written by: Kim Klein, Houston Zoo Elephant Keeper

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Apr
04

Who’s Your Daddy?

Posted by in Baylor,Elephant Herd,Featured,Tupelo

A new elephant at the Houston Zoo?

A lot of zoo guests have a noticed a new elephant in the exhibit while visiting the zoo.  But, it is not really a new elephant to the Houston Zoo.  In fact, the elephant is Thai the zoo’s adult bull and father of Baylor and Tupelo.  Thai has been spending a lot of quality time with the herd lately in the zoo’s cable yard.  Bulls are generally solitary in nature, but Thai seems to enjoy his time with the herd.  Baylor and Tupelo seem to think having Thai around all of the time is great too and one of them is always underfoot!

Thai and Baylor

Thai with Baylor and Tupelo

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Nov
04

New video: Elephant Baby Boom at the Houston Zoo

Posted by in Baylor,Elephant Herd,Featured,Tupelo

Nov
03

Who’s the New Girl?

Posted by in Baylor,Elephant Herd,Tupelo

Tupelo's first day on exhibit.

The first time Tupelo went into the exhibit yard to meet the rest of the herd was an exciting time for the Elephant care team and elephants alike. The sound of trumpets, rumbles, and chirps from the elephants could be heard throughout the zoo. All of the elephant quickly ran over to Tess, Tupelo, and Tucker to meet and greet the newest addition to their herd. Naturally, Tupelo seemed overwhelmed at times and stayed very close to mom. Baylor also was a bit unsure and did not approach too closely too soon. Once Tupelo went down to take her first nap in the yard, Baylor knew it would safe to approach. Baylor walked up to Tupelo, smelled her a bit, then gently nudged her with his foot until she awoke, and then he ran back to his mom. This happened a few times until Baylor built up the courage to investigate Tupelo while she was awake. Tupelo is still too young to actively play with Baylor, but they spend some time hanging out with each and at times sleeping together. Once Tupelo gets a little older, the young bulls in the herd better watch out, she will most definitely be a handful for them.

Written by Daryl Hoffman, Houston Zoo Large Mammal Curator

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Oct
28

It’s Pumpkin Time!

Posted by in Elephant Care,Elephant Diet,Elephant Herd,Enrichment

We give our elephant herd pumpkins for enrichment every Fall.

October is Zoo Boo time at the Houston Zoo, and for the Asian Elephant herd that means one thing: pumpkins! Elephants are herbivorous animals and are naturally fond of many varieties of produce. Because they are primarily a fall seasonal item, pumpkins are an excellent source of food enrichment for our herd. Every Saturday and Sunday throughout Zoo Boo, each of the adult elephants (and juvenile Tucker) receives their own pumpkin, specially decorated by our keeper and volunteer staff and filled with other elephant treats! Babies Baylor and Tupelo aren’t quite ready for their own pumpkins yet, but they are enjoying taking part in the experience with the rest of the herd.

Other Zoo Boo activities include: the Fiesta Mart Pumpkin Patch, the Monster Mural, the Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP Tatzoo Parlor, and candy! So bring the whole family out to the Houston Zoo this Halloween weekend for the final days of Zoo Boo 2010, and be sure to stop by the McNair Asian Elephant Habitat at 1:30 to see Thai, Methai, Tess, Shanti, Tucker, Baylor, and Tupelo!

Written by Joel Carter, Houston Zoo Elephant Keeper

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Oct
21

It’s Nap Time

Posted by in Elephant Herd,Tupelo

Baby elephants are not much different than baby humans in the fact that their day consists of eat, play, and sleep. At less than one month old, Tupelo does not play nearly as much as Baylor. When she does play, it is always in close proximity to her mom, Tess. But sleeping is a different story, Tupelo has no problem sleeping anywhere at anytime. Tupelo sleeps about 6 hours each day and when she does the adults take notice. Adult elephants will often take turns lying down to sleep. This way, there is always at least one elephant standing awake looking for danger.

Can you find Tupelo? When baby elephants sleep, there is always at least one adult elephant standing over them.

When the babies sleep, there is always at least one adult standing over them. By standing over the calves, the adults provide protection from possible threats as well as protection from the sun. A 7,000 pound adult elephant can produce a fair amount shade!

Tupelo and Baylor taking a nap.

On the other hand, when an adult lies down to sleep around a calf, that same 7,000 pound body makes a perfect mound to climb, rub, and lay on.

Tess trying to take a nap, but Baylor and Tupelo have other plans.

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Sep
23

Not the Baby Anymore.

Posted by in Elephant Herd,Tucker

Since the birth of Baylor, Tucker has adjusted well to having another little elephant hanging around and sharing his attention. It will be interesting to see how he does when there are two calves ganging up on him, but we will just have to wait and see.

At times, Tucker can be somewhat overwhelming for the other elephants in the herd. He is what many people would affectionately call a punk and can be pushy and obnoxious. When this happens, the adult elephants will often push Tucker and drive him away from the herd for short periods of time, essentially giving him an elephant “time out”.  Adult elephants are very tolerant of the baby elephants in the herd. Calves walk through their food, bother them while they are resting, and are always on the go. As the calves get older, the adults start to teach the young elephants what is and what is not acceptable. 

In the video below, Tucker is having what the Elephant team calls a “Tucker Tantrum” after he was given a “time-out” by the adults.


Written by Daryl Hoffman, Houston Zoo Curator of Large Mammals

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Jun
28

Elephant Bonding: A Friend is a Brother who was once a Bother.

Posted by in Baylor,Elephant Herd,Enrichment,Featured,Play Time,toys,Tucker

Tucker and Baylor playing in the Houston Zoo elephant yard

While Tucker and Baylor are not blood brothers, don’t let them know that. They have become great companions for each other over the past few weeks.

Everyday as soon as they are put together, Baylor is sure to run up and greet Tucker. Most days Tucker wants to eat first before he plays but all Baylor wants to do is play, play, play. Sometimes Tucker can get a little over zealous but some interference from the other elephants or a member of care staff and Tucker is quick to realize that he weighs roughly 3000 pounds more than Baylor. 

Tucker trying to eat but Baylor wants to play!

Because of there size difference Tucker will lay down or put his head down to solicit interactions from Baylor. This is a technique that he no doubt learned from his own interactions with our adult male Thailand.

Tucker and Baylor

Tucker weighs about 3,000 pounds more than Baylor

Tucker learned how to play with Baylor from Thai.

Writen by Daryl Hoffman, Housto Zoo Large Mammal Curator

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Jun
20

Father’s Day Post: Houston Zoo’s Elephant Dad, Thailand

Posted by in Baylor,Elephant Care,Elephant Herd,Enrichment,Featured

Baylor's father Thailand at the Houston Zoo

Shanti and Baylor are getting a lot of attention from the other elephants, the zoo staff, and the zoo guests, but what about Baylor’s father Thailand?

 Thailand (also known as Thai) was born in the country of Thailand in 1965.  In his early years Thai was on the road as a performing elephant with the circus.  He retired to the Houston Zoo in 1980.  Thai can be seen in his yard, the bull yard, on most days.  With this hot, humid weather, guests can see Thai almost every afternoon at 1:30 in his pool!  Thai’s keepers hold him to the same standard with his training as the female elephants at the zoo and he knows over 40 behaviors.  Zoo keepers ask Thai to do these  behaviors on a regular basis to maintain the behaviors especially those related to husbandry, keep Thai mentally stimulated, and keep him in good shape.  Zoo guests can see these behaviors when the keepers do training demonstrations with Thai during the day.  There is nothing more impressive than seeing Thai “sit up” as the grand finale of his training demonstrations.  Thai weighs over 13,000 lbs!

Thai knows over 40 behaviors. Zoo keepers ask Thai to do these behaviors on a regular basis to maintain the behaviors especially those related to husbandry, keep Thai mentally stimulated, and keep him in good shape.

 Zoo guests often ask the keepers if Thai knows that he is a new father.  The keepers like to think that he does.  Before Shanti gave birth to Baylor, Thai stood at the gate and watched Shanti get an ultrasound.  Elephants also communicate a great deal with each other, and there is no doubt Thai knew the moment that Baylor was born.  Thai enjoys being around elephant calves, and he can be seen playing with Tucker when he is in the cable yard with the rest of the herd.  Though Thai does not have direct contact with Baylor at this time, he does see Baylor everyday through yards and will eat breakfast next to him in the barn.

Written by Mandy Rinker, Houston Zoo Elephant Keeper

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