Individualized care means adapting to individual needs. With the arrival of three companions already this year, and more to come, The Sanctuary’s Husbandry, Veterinary, Facilities, and Care Staff have had an incredible opportunity to learn and adapt to the many individual needs of each elephant. This can range from health care and protected contact training to barn modifications, diets, enrichment, and social compatibility.
Artie
As Artie becomes more comfortable with his environment, roaming among the many fallen trees he has enthusiastically pushed down and foraging in the beautiful Tennessee summer weather, Husbandry and Care Staff have noted increasing signs of musth. This is a natural occurrence seen in healthy adult bull elephants, characterized by the secretion of a hormone-rich substance called temporin and involves a rise in the reproductive hormones, generally lasting around two to three months. Musth can cause the bull to feel energetic, restless, and show signs of agitation. Staff have noticed Artie’s senses seem to be more heightened and is alert to louder sounds. He continues to be actively participating in his Protected Contact training and individualized health care. Artie has shown other normal signs of musth including "dramatic" trunk draping, in which he wraps his trunk along his face, tusks, and head, eye scratching, head pressing and shaking, and walking with his head held high. He is often seen on the EleCams showing some of these behaviors, so make sure to keep an eye out!
As one of the first bull elephants to permanently reside at The Sanctuary, this cycle for Artie is a learning opportunity for Staff, especially as he becomes more acclimated to the other elephants and his environment. When wild bulls go in to musth, they tend to walk long distances, and we are thrilled to give him the opportunity to travel and explore his expanded habitat space and provide him with extra enrichment. Recently, The Sanctuary’s Maintenance Team installed two extra-large hay cages within Artie's habitat, which he takes advantage of daily!
The Sanctuary is excited to be learning more about Artie, and for even more opportunities for Flora, Tange and Sukari to share a fence line and interact with their newest male companion. African elephants in the wild live in very complex societies where the size and composition of the herds change with their movements, time, and the environment. We are working to provide diverse social opportunities for Artie. The Sanctuary does not support breeding, and while Artie has lived with females before, he has never sired a calf and is considered a non-breeding bull. We are hopeful that he will eventually share the larger habitats with our older, post-reproductive females, creating a more dynamic and natural environment for all. If you missed Artie's first introduction to Tange and Sukari through protected fencing, make sure to watch here!
Jana
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Jana has had an exciting first few weeks at The Sanctuary as she has been getting to know her Care Staff and her new herd mate, Nosey. An eager participant in learning new behaviors (especially when apples, sweet potatoes, cantaloupes, and watermelon are involved), Jana has done well with her Protected Contact training, which helps to aid in her health care.
Jana came to The Sanctuary with a stiff front right leg, a noticeable short tail, and divot in her left ear. According to health records, in 2010, Jana sustained an injury of the right forelimb due to conflict with another elephant and is unable to bend her leg while walking, showing signs of stiffness. Since 2014, she has had divot in the margin of her left ear and missing portions of the end of her tail. The affected areas resemble what occurs when tissue has lost blood supply and are not associated with any discomfort. Currently, Jana undergoes routine veterinary diagnostics and treatments like honey sugar paste for her tail and ears, pain medications, maintenance foot care, and other prescribed individualized treatments. The Sanctuary is working closely with Jana to provide the best care possible and to ensure she remains comfortable with modifications to her barn and habitat for extra support, like sand in her stall for softer flooring and access to a vertical resting “hammock" to help take weight off her feet. Jana participates willingly in her husbandry and veterinary care, and we will keep our supporters updated as we learn more.
As she began to explore more of her habitat recently, Jana found access to the large North portion of Asia Habitat and has been frequently seen revisiting the area. She has spent time utilizing the wallow in that area and exploring in the woods for browse. Jana has already knocked down small trees, a normal and expected behavior for African savanna elephants! You can now watch Jana participate in these natural activities live on our EleCams!