Sneezy officially meets Chandra for the first time-June 23, 2009
ELEPHANT INTRODUCTIONS
WEEK 1
Tulsa’s bull (male) elephant, Sneezy, was introduced to the two visiting OKC cow (female) elephants, Asha and Chandra, for the first time on Tuesday, June 23rd. Even though he has spent almost a year with the ability to touch and smell them, this was the first time all three elephants were allowed full, unrestricted access to one another. The delayed introduction was due to several factors. Up to now our focus has been on getting Asha and Chandra familiar and comfortable with our facility as well as our two additional females, Gunda and Sooky. We have also been gathering hormone data on them through routine blood draws to better determine their reproductive cycles. We have also been coordinating elephant introductions with the Oklahoma City Zoo’s new exhibit timeline.
All interactions up to this point between Sneezy and the “OKC girls” have been positive and encouraging. All three elephants have spent considerable time getting to know one another and with elephants, this includes significant smelling and touching. All three elephants are demonstrating “normal” behavior and seem to be comfortable in one another’s presence. For now we will limit their time together during the day. Overnight, it is our intention to allow Asha and Chandra access to Gunda and Sooky so that the four females can continue spending time together as well. As Asha and Chandra approach ovulation their time with Sneezy will be significantly increased in hopes that successful breeding results.
~M. Connolly, Elephant Staff
Sneezy gets cozy with Chandra
Week 2
Sneezy continues to spend increased amount of time on exhibit with Asha and Chandra. For now, all three seem to be enjoying their time together and often vocalize each morning when they are allowed full access together. Sneezy seems fond of Asha and Chandra and the two girls seem very comfortable in his presence. On several occassions, Sneezy has been seen in one of the pools with Asha and Chandra in close proximity. They act as if they want to join him in the pool but just are not quite sure? Thus far we are still separating the three overnight and allowing Asha and Chandra time with our other females, Gunda and Sooky. We have also begun to see some initial physiological changes with Sneezy that lead us to believe that Asha and Chandra may be getting closer to ovulation with the hopes that breeding will occur in the near future.
~M. Connolly, Elephant Staff
Week 3
Sneezy's behavior towards Asha and Chandra has varied from previous weeks in that he has been spending increased amount of time with and near Asha. He continues to do well with both girls but seems to be especially interested in Asha. Based on blood work we anticipate that she should ovulate before Chandra and we also suspect that she may have experienced her anovulatory leutinizing hormone surge over the past weekend. If this was indeed the case, breeding should occur in the next 2-3 weeks. On one occasion this week we were privileged enough to witness Sneezy successfully mount Asha for the first time. For several days, Sneezy refused to fully separate from Asha and Chandra which is completely expected as the females approach ovulation. All three elephants continue to respond well to one another and are demonstrating normal elephant reproductive behavior which is very encouraging as we move forward with what we hope is successful elephant breeding.
~M. Connolly, Elephant Staff
