The Chimpanzee is the closest living relative to humans.
Elephant Blog
Keyword: elephant
Porntip Prepares for Her Own Calf (16/11/2009)
Even before Luk Chai was born, auntie Tang Mo played an important role in preparing the mother-to-be, Thong Dee . When Thong Dee was in labour Tang Mo gave her a gentle rub on the back wiith her trunk to reassure and give her comfort. When Luk Chai arrived it took a little longer for the older elephants to get used to the newest member of the herd, but we’ve certainly noticed that they’ve now well and truly taken the boisterous young calf to heart as well as under their bellies.
Tang Mo Waddles During the Morning Walks (9/11/2009)
In the mornings we take the girls for a walk around the paddocks to keep them fit and active. They link together like a chain, head to tail.
Swimming with the Elephants (3/11/2009)
It was really hot today so instead of the elephants’ usual bath in the barn we decided to give them their wash down under the waterfall in the lower paddock. This was the first time we’ve been swimming with Luk Chai and he had a ball ducking under the water and dog paddling alongside Tang Mo and Thong Dee in the moat.
Luk Chai Burst His New Ball (2/11/2009)
Over the weekend we gave Luk Chai another new ball to roll about with. This time we chose a yellow fitness ball filled with air because he loves to squash things with his belly.
Update on Luk Chai's Father, Gung (30/10/2009)
It's been six months since our male elephant, Gung moved into his own exhibit after leaving the female herd, so here's an update on what's happening with him now.
A wallowing good time! (22/10/2009)
When we freshened up the elephants' paddock with organic topsoil two weeks ago, the mud wallow had to be filled in. Yesterday, we created a new watery, muddy mess for the elephants to play in again.
Rolling Around in the Paddock (16/10/2009)
The elephants are still excited with the new soil we put in the paddocks, especially Thong Dee and Tang Mo. They still can’t get enough of it and it’s been almost two weeks!
King of the Elephant Paddock (14/10/2009)
We weighed Luk Chai on Sunday and he’s doubled his birth weight. In only three months, he now tips the scales at 206 kilos.
Luk Chai's Bath Time Fun (8/10/2009)
Luk Chai’s got a new toy and it looks like it’s a winner! Previously we gave him a shaggy blue coloured ball, but that was so yesterday. Nowadays he’s much more interested in his new plaything - a textured purple ball which he loves mucking around with during bath time.
Fun in the Elephant Paddock (7/10/2009)
We’ve freshened up the elephants’ paddocks with an additional layer of organic top soil and there was great excitement in the herd when they realised there was something new to sprinkle on their backs.
Sharing Ice Treats with Mum (2/10/2009)
Yesterday Luk Chai enjoyed a massive iceblock in the barn with mum Thong Dee. The bucket-sized iceblock filled with treats was like a massive paddle pop with a bamboo stick poking out the end for Thong Dee to pick up with her trunk.
A Splish Splash in the Bath! (30/9/2009)
Luk Chai was busy splashing around during bath time today. He sat down in the bath and used his trunk to create a commotion. He’d lift his trunk high up in the air and suddenly drop it in to the water tub, splashing water all over himself.
A Rascal again (25/9/2009)
Luk Chai has been busy playing with the bunch of small tyres again. We hung the tyres out in the paddock on a tree branch and he does a little mock charge at them. He likes to do a bit of a run up and bump them with his head.
Pineapple Tops (24/9/2009)
Luk Chai is learning the art of eating pineapple tops as he gradually discovers that they’re not playthings but something to eat.
First Real Trumpet (21/9/2009)
We’ve all come to recognise Luk Chai’s little noises. When he’s excited he does a little snort-snuffle and when he’s playing with one of his favourite toys or running towards the adults he makes a high pitched “grrrr” noise.
Another Siesta in the Paddock (18/9/2009)
Luk Chai had another nap in the paddock this morning. He fell asleep in the middle of sampling a pineapple leaf. Mum and the aunts love pineapple tops and he’s been having a nibble too. Mid-chew he shut his eyes for a nap and the pineapple leaf hung out of his mouth whilst he rested.
Napping in the Elephant Paddock (17/9/2009)
Luk Chai has a favourite snoozing spot out in the middle of the main elephant paddock, next to the large log where he likes to crash for a nap. It’s very cute watching him. He’ll be running around outside and then all of a sudden he stops next to the log, tumbles to the ground, sliding forward on his legs to a comfy sleeping position. I’ve been calling it his ‘crash nap’!
Swinging Tyres (16/9/2009)
The bunch of small rubber tyres we’ve hung at Luk Chai's level in the barn continues to be one of his favourite toys.
Sharing Peanuts (11/9/2009)
Peanuts are a real treat for the elephants, so at lunch time we scattered peanuts around their paddock as part of their enrichment activities. It’s a case of first in gets the peanut and the girls quickly scout around the yard searching out the treats. Luk Chai hasn’t quite got the hang of finding the peanuts but while watching the girls he occasionally stumbles over one.
New Games for Luk Chai! (8/9/2009)
Luk Chai has been delighting us with his playful antics with Pak Boon in the mud wallow yesterday. Pak Boon was having the greatest time rolling on her back in the mud, while Luk Chai was busy with his own game. He’d run full pelt towards her before joining in the commotion as they splashed around in the mud. Luk Chai would then hop out of the wallow to start all over again and each time Pak Boon would get all excited as he’d run towards her.
Luk Chai Two Months Old Today! (4/9/2009)
Luk Chai is two months old today! He spent the afternoon in the dust bath with the girls as they coated themselves in dirt. He’s been mimicking mum and the aunts, trying to spray dirt on himself with his trunk. He wasn’t very successful, but he got plastered in dirt anyway. He stood under their bellies and the extra soil fell on to his back - he loved it!
Young Calf Enjoys Ice Treats! (2/9/2009)
Luk Chai got his first taste of ice recently! With the spring-like weather we gave each of the females a massive ice treat filled with fruit and peanuts. The girls stood on the ice blocks with their feet to break the ice into small pieces and Luk Chai was close by to watch the goings on.
Pig In Mud (1/9/2009)
Luk Chai has been having lots of fun in the mud wallow! For the past few days he’s been in it everyday with the girls as they cool off in the mud. He’s like a pig in mud the way he rolls about.
Soccer Ball Fun (18/8/2009)
Luk Chai discovered a new toy today – a large soccer ball which the girls in the herd like to play with. He head-butted it around the yard and eventually worked out how to kick it with his foot. Luk Chai kicked the ball so hard it went flying down to their lower paddock. He stood there for a few minutes trying to work out where his ball went and I raced down to retrieve it for him. When I returned he’d already discovered a new game. The little rascal was chasing one the girls around the paddock in a game of tag.
Knee Deep in Mud (17/8/2009)
The whole herd decided to play in the mud wallow this morning. This is the first time the Luk Chai has tried out the deeper wallow and found himself knee deep in the mud as a result. Pak Boon was particularly happy to wallow in the mud and Luk Chai seeing an opportunity to gain higher ground attempted to climb her. He wasn’t very successful as she’s one of the larger girls, but that didn’t stop him trying.
Luk Chai is Blessed! (15/8/2009)
Our little Luk Chai received a traditional Thai blessing today from eight Monks followed by an ecumenical cermony to celebrate his birth. The herd enjoyed their morning feed in the paddock while watching the traditional blessing ceremony which involved chanting and prayers. Luk Chai seemed quite unaware of anything unusual. He was more interested in the bamboo shoots mum was eating and seeing what mum and the aunties where up to. At the end of the ceremony Luk Chai, Thong Dee and chief aunty, Tang Mo, followed us Keepers into the barn for the final part of the ceremony. The Monks sprinkled water on Luk Chai’s head to bless him and wish him good health and success. Luk Chai was very interested in the Monks, saying hello and checking them out with his trunk. The Monks offered Luk Chai some bananas, but of course he’s not quite ready to eat them yet. Tang Mo and Thong Dee were only too happy to look after them!
A Special Visit (14/8/2009)
A very special event today - Thong Dee and Tang Mo's former owners flew in from Thailand to attend a blessing ceremony this weekend where Luk Chai will be blessed by Buddhist monks. Tang Mo and Thong Dee had not seen their former Thai mahout for three years. The mahout, Mau, had grown up with these elephants and spent two years working alongside the Taronga team in Thailand before the elephants were imported to Australia. The elephants were at first very surprised to see him, and then affectionately surrounded him, smelling him and inspecting with their trunks. Mau spoke to them in Thai and they immediately responded, doing anything he asked. Clearly they're still very fluent in Thai! Mau said all the elephants looked incredibly healthy and he was happy for them. They introduced him to Luk Chai and Mau gave the calf a big hug, declaring him 'perfect'.
The Calf Plays Ball Games (10/8/2009)
The calf has found a new game! We rolled an inflatable ball towards Luk Chai. After a few goes he got the hang of it and kicked the ball right back to us using his feet and trunk. Aunty Pak Boon was very interested in his new game. She kept an eye on us and wanted to have a go too, but she’s too big to play soccer with the calf just yet.
Climbing Aunty Tang Mo (9/8/2009)
Now that Luk Chai and conquered climbing rocks, logs and a tyre, today he tried the biggest mountain of all. Mum and Tang Mo were lying on their dirt mound in the paddock and he thought it would be great fun to clamber over them. Tang Mo loved the attention. She helped him climb right over using her trunk and the calf came off her back like a slippery dip. Once he was back on the dirt mound he rushed back around to her belly to start all over again.
Moving Logs (7/8/2009)
Luk Chai has been playing grown-ups again. During the play session, mum was tugging a huge log with her trunk and Luk Chai decided he’d have a go too. He’s been watching the other elephants push the logs around. Luk Chai tried to push the log with his trunk and feet, but of course it didn’t budge!
Luk Chai Interrupts Aunty Pak Boon (5/8/2009)
We weighed Luk Chai this afternoon and he’s now 132 kilos!
Luk Chai Has Unexpected Swim (3/8/2009)
Luk Chai, the elphant calf, took a sudden swim in the main moat today while he has drinking. He was using his trunk to put water in his mouth when he bent down on his knees to get closer to the water and over -balanced. There was a splash as he fell right in. Mum, Thong Dee, and aunt, Tang Mo were right there with one of the keepers. Thong Dee started to step in but the keeper helped by guiding Luk Chai's trunk to steer him in the right direction towards the steps. Luk Chai struck out strongly, climbed up the steps and out of the water. Then he thought he'd try it again but decided against it at the last minute.
Luk Chai Has Stubble (31/7/2009)
I just stroked Luk Chai on his back to say hello and noticed he’s a little prickly! He’s loves spending time underneath mum and the auntie’s bellies. He’s there so often that he’s lost a few baby hairs from rubbing his back across their tummies.
Calf Enjoys Water Games (30/7/2009)
Luk Chai shared mum’s drink of water this morning. Thong Dee was having a drink of water from the hose and Luk Chai thought it was a great game. He got really excited by the big drops of water falling onto his trunk and stood right under her chin to catch the drips. There was more water games later in the morning. After the warm baths in the barn he then had fun deliberately skating across the rubberised floor.
Now 122 Kilos! (29/7/2009)
Our little Luk Chai is putting on the kilos! We weighed him again today and in seven days he’s put on another seven kilos. He knows exactly what to do at the scales now. Tang Mo hopped on and Luk Chai waited patiently for his turn. Without help, he climbed on and got off to give mum a turn. He spent most of the day practicing his climbing abilities. Now that he can climb the logs and rocks he’s been focusing his attention on a tractor tyre. Today he had success and got all four legs in to the middle of the tyre. He’s learnt the technique of climbing this awkward shape so he can now climb in and out of the tyre fairly quickly.
Elephant calf named Luk Chai! (27/7/2009)
Thong Dee’s little calf has a name! We’ve named him “Luk Chai”. After going through over 30,000 entires that you all put forward in the naming competition, us keepers decided to go with “Luk Chai”. It’s pronounced Look- Chai.
A Little Prince (26/7/2009)
The calf’s been busy climbing again and has mastered the art of getting over the rocks in the paddock. He’d been practicing last week and now he's got the hang of climbing over them.
A Little Rascal (23/7/2009)
The calf's been busy trying to climb the rocks in the paddock. He's mastered getting on top of the logs and now he's trying the rocks which are as tall as him.
Tipping the Scales At 116 Kilos! (22/7/2009)
We weighed the calf and he's now 116 kilos. So he's putting on around a kilo a day!
Calf Having a Ball (21/7/2009)
Our little water baby took the plunge this morning! He went for a swim in the top paddock’s moat for the first time.
Elephant Calf's Waterfall Adventure (20/7/2009)
Thong Dee’s little calf is becoming more active everyday and we’re all a little surprised at how quickly he’s developing!
Blowing Bubbles on His Own (17/7/2009)
The calf's getting more and more independent and is starting to spend time on his own in the top paddock.
Elephant Calf Enjoys His Toys at Bathtime (16/7/2009)
He's loving his custom made baby elephant pool, which was cut down from a big plastic tank.
On the Scales (15/7/2009)
He was weighed again today after a little hike in the lower paddock with his mum and Aunty Tang Mo, keeping up really well.
Calf Brings Joy During Endless Play (14/7/2009)
The calf's already been out exploring both paddocks and it seems his favourite thing to do is play in the dirt.
Calf Learns Elephant Manners (13/7/2009)
Our little calf is becoming more adventurous every day and is spending lots of time in the top paddock now.
Calf Plays Tug o-War (12/7/2009)
We weighed the calf again today and he's now 100 kilos. That?s four kilos he's put on in under a week!
Exploring the Top Paddock for the First Time (11/7/2009)
The calf, mum and aunty Tang Mo explored the top paddock for the first time with us keepers this morning.
Demolishing Dirt Mounds with Aunty Tang Mo (10/7/2009)
This morning we took the calf out for another walk in the lower paddock.
Sharing a Bath with Mum (10/7/2009)
Thong Dee is having a bath, so the calf is having a bath by default too!
Calf Plays Grownups (9/7/2009)
Thong Dee had her first long sleep since the baby’s arrival last night. Tang Mo played baby watcher as Thong Dee slept for five hours straight.
Calf Tries the Mud Wallow (9/7/2009)
We took them outside for a walk just now and the adventurous calf ran towards to Aunty Porntip who accidentally bumped the little fellow, making him fall over.
Exploring the Lower Paddock (9/7/2009)
When the sun came out after lunch we went for another walk to the Lower Paddock.
Enjoying a Warm Bath (8/7/2009)
ur little calf enjoyed his first real bath with mum and aunty Tang Mo inside the barn.
Calf Spends Time With Aunty Pak Boon (8/7/2009)
All three aunties and Thong Dee spent the afternoon in the lower paddock with the calf.
Taronga’s Elephant Calf Discovers Puddles (8/7/2009)
He just went for a short walk with all the aunties this morning in the lower paddock.
Learning to use his trunk (7/7/2009)
He has just used his little trunk to pick up a pineapple top for the first time! He'd been trying to do this during in mum's morning feed, poking the pineapple tops with his trunk, but now he's already learnt how to pick it up.
Thong Dee gets her first proper nap (7/7/2009)
We watched Thong Dee have her first proper nap lying down last night. It was beautiful. The calf lay between her front legs with Tang Mo just next door.
More time outside and calf got his first toy (7/7/2009)
We took the calf for its third walk today. Mum Thong Dee decided to try climbing a hill and the calf tried to follow. He made a really good attempt but had a little stumble. Thong Dee turned straight back and continued on flat ground.
It has been a big morning (6/7/2009)
We introduced the calf to the matriarch of the herd Porntip. She was a little nervous as the calf walked up to check her out. The calf then met Pak Boon, another aunty, who was more confident about saying hello, but she too didn't quite know what to make of the new calf.
Third walk (6/7/2009)
Thong Dee was happier about leaving the security of the barn with her calf at her side. Us keepers and Tang Mo helped Thong Dee walk the calf right down to the lower paddock. When we got there Thong Dee and Tang Mo ate some hay and the calf stayed close to the two girls.
Introduced the calf to Tang Mo (5/7/2009)
This morning we introduced the calf to one of the aunties, Thong Dee’s best friend, Tang Mo. The introduction went really really well. Tang Mo is being very protective of the calf already.
First walk outside (5/7/2009)
We helped the calf go for his first walk outside this afternoon with mother Thong Dee and Aunty Tang Mo. He was very strong and kept up with mum and Tang Mo, but Thong Dee was reluctant to leave the security of the barn, so they were outside only very briefly. After that he went back into the warm barn were he is spending most of the time.
It's a boy ! (4/7/2009)
Mum and the baby are doing well. Thong Dee's maternal instincts are kicking in and she's being very protective of the newborn.
Just Like His Father (4/7/2009)
The little calf has just done a little backwards moonwalk exactly like his father, Gung does sometimes. We certainly know who his Dad is!
Thong Dee gives newborn first dust bath (4/7/2009)
This afternoon the calf has got really use to suckling from Thong Dee. Once the calf got the hang of it he fed on and off for the rest of the day.
Thong Dee bathtime (1/7/2009)
Thong Dee is treated to a warm bath at Taronga Zoo while keepers get ready for her impending birth.
The waiting game continues (25/6/2009)
We're still playing the waiting game here at the Elephant Barn, and while most things have remained the same with the rest of the herd we have noticed Thong Dee behaving a little differently.
Thong Dee trades-up her food (24/6/2009)
Pregnant Asian elephant Thong Dee trades-up her food. Thong Dee passes a pineapple top to her keeper in exchange for vegetable food treats such as sweet potato. http://taronga.org.au/elephants
Getting ready for the big day (17/6/2009)
After years of planning and around 22 months’ gestation, our Asian Elephant Thong Dee is almost ready to give birth to her first calf. Find out what Taronga’s vets and keepers have been doing to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Daily hormone tests (4/5/2009)
Today we started doing daily hormone tests with Thong Dee to monitor a particular hormone which will help us predict when she's getting close to giving birth.
Biggest birth yet (28/4/2009)
I'm one of ten keepers that look after our five Asian Elephants at Taronga Zoo. We have four females and one bull elephant which we care for. Three of the females are pregnant, with one of the girls, Thong Dee, expecting any time now. Elephants have the longest gestation period of all mammals (22 months) so it's been a long time coming for Thong Dee and we're sure that she'll be relieved when it's over.
