Elephants and Other Stuff

Yet another baby elephant born at the Park. You'd think we'd be getting tired of them by now, but baby elephants are one of the most adorable things ever on this earth. It's a girl and she was in the oven a little extra long and came out around 230 lbs. Khosi (the 1-year-old) was in with Umoya (new mom) and Umngani (her mom) during the birth. Moya is her very favorite auntie. I think she likes her better than her own mother. So, I guess Khosi was nursing off of Moya during labor or at least that night. But, now Moya spends all her time with her new baby. I wonder if Khosi is a little sad. Saw Khosi and Punga (the six-month-old) during a VIP tour yesterday. They came right up to us (so we were in the lower yard, only 15' from them in the main yard)...helps that their trainers were cleaning the yard at the time. They really don't care about visiting the visitors. We barely saw the new baby, though. Moya had her very carefully tucked away. Of course, I actually saw here closer before the Park opened the other day. She is hairy! I think they substituted a little mammoth baby.

If you are wondering about the names, they are all Siswazi. The adults came over from Swaziland about 4 years ago. They were scheduled to be culled (read killed) there because there were too many elephants. Swaziland is not a big country and, although the African elephant is a threatened species, there are local overpopulations of them. Actually, they were rescued twice. They ended up in Swaziland as a rescue from a culling at Kruger National Park in South Africa. We try to name our animals in the native language of the regions from which they come, hence Siswazi. Actually, the originals were named by the King of Swaziland.

Anyway, our elephants are about 17-years-old now and they are on their first babies. Mabhulane is our bull and dad to 3 of 4 calves. Swazi is the dominant female and the only one who has not given birth nor is currently pregnant. Umoya is the new mom. Litsemba is Impunga's mom. Umngani is Khosi's mom. Ndulamitsi was pregnant when she arrived. She is mom to Vus'Musi, who is now 3 1/2. Lungile is the smallest and least dominant female. Probably more info than you really wanted, but hey, I love the elephants.

Anyway, in other news, we are going to a Padres game today. I am not the biggest fan of baseball, but I plan to enjoy myself and try not to be too sickly. Actually, I'm feeling much better, but I (as always) have a lingering cough.

Also, figured out last night that my tolerance for alcohol is pretty much nil now. Games and fun were had by all.

And, finally, in the it-could-have-been-worse category, the same night my car was broken into, J's car was stolen...same lot. I didn't even lose my stereo.