Reid Park Zoo, Tucson, Mabu,Lungile,Litsemba,Punga,Tsandzikle

[Space4Eles]

From the zoo's website:

Expedition Tanzania Nears Completion 1-27-12

Major construction on Expedition Tanzania is almost finished! The exhibit looks amazing, and will be a wonderful home for the Zoo’s new elephants.

http://www.tucsonzoo.org/2012/expedition-t...letion-1-27-12/

[Space4Eles]

Video uploaded 3 Feb 2012:

Big Changes for Reid Park Zoo

Final phase of new elephant habitat includes construction finishing touches and elephant crate training.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG7YFZzH5JM

Connie's feet don't look good at 2:10

[spiritedlulu]

Reid Park Zoo welcomes two new elephants

TUCSON- Two African elephants made their debut at the Reid Park Zoo, making them the first to call the zoo's new Expedition Tanzania Exhibit home.

Mabu is a 10,500 pound male and Lungile is a 4,800 pound female.

http://www.kvoa.com/news/reid-park-zoo-wel...-new-elephants/

[Space4Eles]

From the zoo's website:

Two new elephants arrive at Reid Park Zoo 2/27/12

Male elephant “Mabu” and female elephant “Lungile” have arrived at Reid Park Zoo! Today they tested part of their new exhibit, which is scheduled to open to the public (with a total of 5 resident elephants) on March 25, 2012.

http://www.tucsonzoo.org/2012/two-new-elep...park-zoo-22712/

[Space4Eles]

This article is covered by copyright, therefore I am unable to quote:

Reid Park Zoo welcomes first of new breeding herd

http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-p...d75f2e2779.html

[spiritedlulu]

They must be so confused and disoriented being separated from their herd. This is so heartless and cruel.

[Space4Eles]

Copyright article.
Video, mainly about Connie and Shaba, and concerned citizen Tracey Tolard speaks:

Reid Park Zoo gets new elephants

http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/1703200...s-new-elephants

[Space4Eles]

Thanks to a member of TEC Facebook for drawing attention to this article with video:

Did Reid Park's new elephant kill another one at San Diego Zoo?

Sources told KGUN9 News Mabu and Umoya spent a lot of time together. But officials don't know if another elephant was involved in the death and if so - which one it might have been.

9OYS asked whether there is anything caretakers can do to prevent the same thing from happening at Reid Park.

"No…We maintain our elephants very much like they would it the wild. They have the same social systems and the same social grouping," Simmons said. "There are sometimes scuffles or pushing, shoving or even flight responses that cause them to bump into each other."

http://www.kgun9.com/news/local/140803813.html?page=1

[Space4Eles]

Elephants Mabu, Lungile in Arizona

The facilities here at the Reid Park Zoo are beautiful, with a couple of acres of outside space, air-conditioned shelters and barns, and a huge pool for elephant play.

http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/2012/02/27/el...ile-in-arizona/

[Space4Eles]

Tucson's Reid Park Zoo elephants move to San Diego

TUCSON - Connie and Shaba are headed to San Diego this morning. Reid Park Zoo officials tell News 4 that the elephants are preparing to be crated and put on the truck for their move to the San Diego Zoo.

http://www.kvoa.com/news/tucson-s-reid-par...e-to-san-diego/

[Space4Eles]

Elephant pals at home in SD Zoo

Meanwhile, Reid Park Zoo last month took delivery of two African elephants from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. They're among a small herd of breeding African elephants assembled for the new $9.7 million African elephant habitat.

As part of that, Reid Park also will be getting from Safari Park an adult female, Samba, and two of her offspring, ages 5 and 1, said Vivian VanPeenen, curator of education for Reid Park.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/mar/02...home-in-sd-zoo/


I think VanPeenen means Litsemba (22) and her male calves Punga (5) and Tsandzikle (1):
http://www.elephant.se/database2.php?elephant_id=163

[spiritedlulu]

3 new elephants arrive at Reid Park Zoo from San Diego

Female elephant Samba arrived last night, along with her two young offspring: five-year-old Punga and one-year-old Sundzu, according to a news release from Reid Park Zoo. The three elephants were transported by truck in specially-designed crates, along with a veterinary staff and keepers. The staff will remain at Reid Park Zoo for a time to facilitate a smooth transition.

Mabu, the father of the two young elephants, and another adult female named Lungile, arrived on February 24 and have been settling in, the zoo's release states.


http://www.kvoa.com/news/3-new-elephants-a...from-san-diego/

[Space4Eles]

From San Diego Zoo elephant blog:

Elephant Moves

We chose to send to Reid Park a breeding group of elephants to their brand-new elephant facility and receive from them their two elephants, Connie and Shaba, into our Elephant Odyssey facility at the San Diego Zoo, where we specialize in caring for older elephants.

The selection of the best animals to send to the Reid Park Zoo was very difficult, and not just because of the close relationship we have developed with all of them. The decision had to balance various factors: who created the best social group in Tucson and in San Diego, what demographic and genetic factors were most important, and who are the best trained elephants in the herd. In the end, the decision was made to send Mabu, Lungile, Litsemba and her two calves, five-year-old Impunga and one-year-old Tsandzikle (Sundzu). This move was made in the best interest of the individual elephants and for the species as a whole.

http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/2012/03/07/elephant-moves/

[Space4Eles]

Safari Park Elephants Now At Tucson Zoo

In a blog posted by Jeff Andrews, an associate curator of mammals for San Diego Zoo Global, he explained the thinking behind determining which elephants to send to Tucson.

“The decision had to balance various factors: who created the best social group in Tucson and in San Diego, what demographic and genetic factors were most important, and who are the best trained elephants in the herd,” he wrote.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/mar/09...now-tucson-zoo/

[Space4Eles]

Reid Park Zoo's website has a new page for -

Expedition Tanzania

The seven acre expansion will provide an introduction to this amazing species and the important work being done to protect wildlife. You will explore the winding pathways, find clues that provide insight into the lives of animals, and observe a herd of African elephants in an expansive habitat.

The exhibit also features engaging hands-on education opportunities along the walkway, and near the Click Family Elephant Care Center. The Bernadine Shirley Training Wall will provide guests with a peek into Zoo Keepers’ training and care for the elephant residents. This is sure to be an experience you’ll never forget.


http://www.tucsonzoo.org/plan-your-visit/e...ition-tanzania/

Photos of the 5 elephants and a few identifying features for each.
Take a few moments to learn about the new herd. Maybe you’ll even be able to recognize them by sight when you come to see them in person!

Photos -
The elephants discovered their mud wallow for the first time today, and tons of fun ensued!
http://www.tucsonzoo.org/2012/mud-wallow-fun-31412/

[t&tt]

Elephant exhibit opens, video & article

"And this exhibit that these elephants are enjoying, oh so much...." (from video)

http://www.kvoa.com/news/elephant-exhibit-opens/

Right.

[t&tt]

Another article. More details. Photos.

Elephant expedition is open

...A number of individuals whose donations made the project a reality. Jim Click and family....

[Mayor Rothschild said], “It’s important that we address the root causes of that problem,” he said. “What we can do as a city is consider the role of zoos in the place of species preservation and educating people how to care about elephants, and to care enough about them to want to save them.”

http://explorernews.com/news/article_71bf5...1871e3ce6c.html

And peer-reviewed science does not factor in. Unbelievable.

[Space4Eles]

Enrichment Toys for Elephants

Our elephant keepers have asked us to ask you for help in purchasing 10 elephant enrichment toys ...

http://www.tucsonzoo.org/support-the-zoo/e...-for-elephants/

[Space4Eles]

A member of TEC Facebook brought this page to our attention:

We Need Browse!

With the arrival of our newest elephant residents, our need for leafy snacks has grown considerably! If you or someone you know is in the landscaping/plant-trimming business and has access to a ready supply of any of the following, we’d like to speak to you!

http://www.tucsonzoo.org/2012/we-need-brow...vited%21content

[spiritedlulu]

Tucson Zoo Crowdsources To Feed Elephants

Leafy greens aren't easy to come by in the desert, and when the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson welcomed five new elephants, they quickly realized they would need help locating branches for the pachyderms to snack on. So, they put out an open call to area residents. They asked for African sumac, mesquite, mimosa and fig leaves, among other plants. Audie Cornish talks with the zoo's general curator about his crowd-sourcing for elephant snacks.



http://www.npr.org/2012/04/17/150827361/tu...t-food?ft=1&f=2

[Space4Eles]

From the zoo's website:

Elephants go swimming 5-2-12

News from Expedition Tanzania: Keepers have filled the pool completely, and yesterday all five elephants went swimming together for the first time. Wow.

http://www.tucsonzoo.org/2012/elephants-go...mming-5-2-12-2/

There is a link to a video.

[Space4Eles]

21 minute video uploaded 15 August 2912 about the Expedition Tanzania exhibit:

Your Expedition to Tanzania

Jed Dodds takes you on a journey back in time to see the creation of Reid Park Zoo's new African elephant expansion. Meet its five new residents!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VptRTMdTdQ

[Space4Eles]

Thanks to a member of TEC Facebook for a link to this video:

Elephants swimming while its snowing

This was a rare snow storm that swept through Tucson. Our herd of elephants took full advantage of swimming and playing in the flakes. They were is and out of the pool all day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLkpkd1lb3M

[spiritedlulu]

San Diego Zoo Dentists Treat Elephant in Tucson (Sundzu)

The elephant, Sundzu, was treated at the Reid Park Zoo Wednesday morning by a team from the San Diego Zoo and Colyer Institute. The San Diego-based institute studies oral diseases and nutrition in exotic animals.




http://www.sandiego6.com/news/local/San-Di...-196241191.html

[spiritedlulu]

Reid Park Zoo elephant gets a visit from the dentist

Sundzu, one of Reid Park's newest elephants had to undergo a dental procedure, after a wrestling incident with his older sibling Punga.

According to zoo officials Sundzu had cracked a tusk several weeks ago while playing around in the enclosure with his brother.



http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/2155575...rom-the-dentist

[spiritedlulu]

No running water today at Tucson's zoo

The Reid Park zoo posted on its Facebook page today that keepers are working hard to get water to its animals and that people should stay away from the attraction today and tomorrow.

http://azstarnet.com/news/local/no-running...19bb2963f4.html

[Space4Eles]

No specific mention of the elephants, but a few more general details on this link:

Zoo hauls in water after break in line, but animals are safe

"Most of the animals have pools and access to water in their exhibits," VanPeenen said. "The only thing we have to do is bucket in potable drinking water for the animals because their drinkers are turned off."

http://azstarnet.com/news/local/zoo-hauls-...3169a376cf.html