March 3 , 2005: Today is Flora’s 22nd birthday and her first anniversary at the Sanctuary. From the moment of her arrival Flora has proven to be remarkably intelligent and independent. She has a strong sense of self and a clear image of how she feels things should be. She has formed a wonderful friendship with Tange. The two spend a great deal of time together exploring the habitat and hanging out together. Flora continues to insist that she be dominant over Zula but that arrangement is not yet settled. Even though Zula is 10 years Flora’s senior, Flora insists on being dominant. While they bicker over who gets to call the shots, Tange takes advantage of being the focus of attention. While she works to bring her two friends closer together she enjoys the best of both worlds, sharing the companionship of both Flora and Zula. Happy Birthday Flora!

Flora plays in a mud hole.

February 2, 2005: Flora has been spending most days in the BIG yard with Tange. Today the EleCam field camera found Flora at one of the many mud wallows. She spent close to 30 minutes playing until she had covered her entire body with rich protective mud.

   
Flora walks calmly into the restraint chute.

January 31, 2005: Flora walked into the restraint chute and onto the scale to be weighed. She was calm and confident. She weighed in at 10,125 pounds; a big girl without an ounce of fat on her.

   
Flora and Scott work on target training.

January 25, 2005: Now that Scott has more time to spend at the African barn he has begun target training with Flora. This training allows greater flexibility for caregivers to comfortably work around an elephant. It is also an important tool for conditioning the elephant to voluntarily participate in standard procedures such as foot trimming, blood draws, baths and non-invasive physical examinations.

Flora is a quick study and curious. Within minutes she understood that Scott wanted her to touch the target with a particular part of her body; head, foot, ear. She did great. At first she offered simple tricks that she had learned in the circus. When those responses were ignored by the trainer (she did not receive a treat for it) she waited for an indication of what Scott wanted. He placed the target near the body part he wanted her to touch and she responded.

This type of conditioning is called protected contact training and utilizes only positive reinforcement. The elephant's participation is invited but if she does not care to participate that is her choice. It is up to the trainer to make the session interesting and rewarding enough so that the elephant wants to participate. In Flora's case, she was extremely interested, a willing participant.

January 5, 2005: Zula and Flora were seen interacting at the fence line. They spend quite a bit of time each day developing their relationship. It is obvious that they both perceive themselves as the dominant individual. Only time will tell if one will finally allow the other to be the dominant individual on a permanent basis.


Flora reaches out toward Zula. They interact playfully.

December 20, 2004: Zula, Tange and Flora have been integrated. They spent last night together inside the barn and today Flora and Tange spent the day playing. Zula was in the habitat but showed no interest in engaging in activities with Flora and Tange. The days ahead will be wonderful to observe.
These sunny winter days are perfect for leisurely exploring the habitat.

Flora and Tange explore the habitat. Tange poses in front.

December 21, 2004: Tange and Flora spent a good part of the day together playing in the mud hole and exploring the woods. Zula was nowhere in sight. These sunny winter days are perfect for leisurely exploring the habitat.

Flora spent a good part of the day playing in the mud hole.

December 1, 2004: Flora has spent a great deal of time redesigning her forest for more overhead natural light. She is felling trees and opening the place up, which has resulted in not only more natural light but also the growth of new vegetation. EleCam viewers can see the number of trees that are down. The good thing is that she has hundreds of acres of trees to play with which should keep her busy for many years ahead. Once she has completed the redesign of her multi-acre yard she will no doubt begin on the larger, multi-hundred-acre habitat.


A view of the African Elephant habitat. Flora hangs by the barn.

Even though Tange and Zula may stay gone all day Flora usually comes back just before the 5pm feed. She is a creature of habit and prefers to be in the barn for at least a short time in the early evening. With that need satisfied, she then returns to the habitat and keeps herself busy until the late night feeding. It is Flora's habit to remain in the barn until sunrise the next morning.

Check out what Flora and the other elephants at the Sanctuary are up to right now!

For archived 2004 entries click here.