December 30, 2006

Today Zula and Tange set off on an adventure that would last more than 24 hours, involve a trek up a steep hill, a temporary separation, a sleep over, and a series of confidence-building accomplishments. The hill they decided to traverse was quite steep; the attraction of uncharted territory was the lure. It was a beautiful sunny day with temperatures in the 60s. The night forecast was in the high 40s, so an overnight stay in the habitat was for certain. They started their journey around 10am and around 2pm Tange returned to the barn for a drink. Tange interacted with Flora, engaging in their normal trunk wrestling, but it was curious that Zula had not returned with Tange. As the sun began to set it was obvious that Zula had not returned so her caregivers set out with her evening diet, to locate her and determine why the change in behavior; Tange and Zula are seldom apart, so this was a definite change in behavior.

Zula was located in an area of the habitat that she and Tange had never explored before. To get to her location they had climbed down into the valley, crossed a shallow creek and traversed a very steep hillside. There was Zula calmly foraging in the woods at the extreme parameter of the property; they had both finally explored to the fence line. Since the weather was mild, there was no concern about Zula staying out overnight. But since Tange was not with Zula, it was decided that a caregiver would camp out with her. This being the first time she was alone in a new area of the habitat, we wanted to be sure Zula did not become concerned during the night. This may sound a bit over-protective but we feel that not knowing what her reaction will be throughout the night merits a caregiver on watch. Of course, if Tange returned during the night the caregiver would leave the two to their adventure.

As it turned out, Tange did not return to Zula but remained with Flora throughout the night and Sandra, the lead caregiver at the African barn, had the adventure of her life.

In Sandra’s own words:

"For Zula to climb this hill and explore new grounds is a huge accomplishment. It’s very important for her to know that we are not only here to provide food, water and shelter, but also to give her support and comfort she needs. As this was going to be her first night out alone and in a new part of her habitat, I decided to stay with her to give her support and comfort if she needed it.

Armed with hay, water and food for Zula, and a hammock, sleeping bag, pillow and my dogs for my own comfort, I headed out to my sleeping place for the night. Zula appeared to be pleased with her new sleeping buddies and watched closely as I strung my hammock. After giving her some treats, Zula appeared ready to enjoy the evening as well.

Wow, what an experience…lying there in my hammock, looking up at the moon and the stars, looking to the side to see this amazing elephant standing there doing her own thing. After we chit-chatted for a little while about how lucky we both were to sleep underneath the stars, it was time to sleep.

As I closed my eyes I could hear her munching on the hay, slurping the water, and the sounds of her eating browse all mixed with richly deep rumbles. Wow, what a way to fall asleep!

Around 3 am, I awoke and was going to quietly attempt to get out of my hammock. As I had my own heating blanket, my dog Nemo, it wasn’t that easy to get out of the hammock, at least not quietly. So both Nemo and I fell gracefully, really gracefully, to the ground. Zula saw us and she let out a rumble of laughter and I’m sure that she had a big smile on her beautiful face.

The new day began with Zula eating her hay and looking at me as if she was saying...come on, wake up, it’s time to get my breakfast. I took down my hammock, gathered up my things, including Nemo, and headed off with Zula through the woods, looking for a good place to go back down the hill. Zula was browsing and in no hurry to go back down. Since Zula showed no anxiousness about returning, I set off on my own, returned to the barn to feed the other girls and then headed back with Zula’s diet and to see if she intended to return anytime soon.

I believe that it’s very important that Zula realize that she could get down the hill herself, so with encouragement, a lot of praise and treats she slowly started to come down the hill. By this time Tange had trekked out to join us. Tange rumbled and that’s all the encouragement Zula needed. As Zula made her way down the hill, Tange raced to greet her. They both were all rumbles and trumpets, trunk touches, and ear flaps; you could feel their excitement in the air. As these two happy friends were reunited, they continued down into the valley together, calmly munching on vegetation as they went, as if nothing had happened.

This was an experience that I will treasure for ever and never ever forget.�?/P>

Sandra de Rek
Lead Caregiver-Africa