“Boo’s” Profile

The Zoo is happy to announce a new addition to the San Antonio Zoo family, an Asian elephant named “Boo.” “Boo” arrived on Wednesday, April 21 and is currently in the elephant barn getting acquainted with her new surroundings, keepers and of-course, most importantly, “Lucky.”

STATS:

• Sex: Female Asian elephant
• Birth year: 1955
• Age: 55
• Zoo resident since April 21, 2010

More about BOO:

• Boo is larger than Lucky
• She receives physical exams everyday
• Weighs roughly 9,400 pounds
• Enjoys fruits and vegetables
• Socializes well with keepers

Boo's Weekly Updates

 

 

August 27, 2010

Above is the lastest video of Boo and Lucky. This video is a further sign that the relationship between the two is moving in a positive direction. We will update this page with video, photos and/or text every few months.

 

July 19, 2010

It has been a very busy two weeks for Boo, Lucky and the elephant care staff. We started physical introductions between Boo and Lucky and, thus far, things have actually progressed faster than expected. The two girls have been together for a few hours almost daily for the past week and are now spending most of the day together. When not physically in the same space, the two are housed to either side of the fence that subdivides their yard so they can maintain contact if they want.

Boo’s outgoing personality and greater size made it easy for her to quickly establish that she would be in charge of the new elephant hierarchy. Lucky, for her part, readily accepted her role as subordinate. Although shy at first, Lucky allowed Boo to gently investigate her (with her trunk) and the two came to understand one another within a couple of sessions. From there, signs of mutual trust became more and more evident.

The daily Keeper Connections have become rather interesting, with each of the girls hoping to garner the most attention from the trainers. Boo and Lucky both respond well during these sessions and the staff is challenged by the need to choreograph the behavior of two elephants that are so eager to “show off.” The unpredictability of the programs has been fun for all involved.

 

 

July 5, 2010

Boo and Lucky continue to alternate between the corral and main part of the exhibit. This week we saw several instances wherein Lucky calmly allowed Boo to examine her with her trunk. Boo gently touches her and gets her scent, while Lucky stands still-- seemingly unconcerned about the investigation. This is a further sign that the relationship between the two is moving in a positive direction.

Because we’ve been changing routines in order to encourage interactions, Boo has often been in the main yard during the regularly scheduled “Elephant Keeper Connection” (held at 11:30 daily). Boo has been very willing to demonstrate to our guests those husbandry behaviors that she has already come to know in our system. She presents her feet, raises her trunk, extends her ears and targets around the yard. Once she comes to understand a cue, she is very reliable in complying with our requests, and clearly doesn’t mind the attention of the audience. Sometimes it is hard to imagine that she has only been with us for two and a half months.

 

 

June 25, 2010

Great progress this week. Boo and Lucky are getting more and more comfortable with one another. They’ve had lots of opportunity to interact since our last update. While they still prefer to limit their physical contact, they have shown an inclination to “hang out” closer to each other. This is a good indication that Lucky is getting over her initial shyness towards Boo and that we are moving toward the ultimate goal of putting the girls together.

We were also visited by professional colleagues—people who have worked with lots of elephants—and they’ve been very encouraging and helpful. They agree with the steps we’ve been taking and, thanks to advances in Boo’s training, we’ve been able to make major strides in her care in a short amount of time. Things are looking very promising.

 

 

June 21, 2010

Boo is still doing real well.  With each passing day she is more and more understanding of what is requested from her.  She seemingly enjoys her baths and is more cooperative each time.  She is very trusting of the zoo staff and allows us to examine her in detail.

Boo is proving to be a very smart, almost manipulative, elephant.  She has come to understand that our system of elephant management, called “protected contact,” keeps us from entering into her space (for safety reasons).  Boo doesn’t necessary agree with that, and she seemingly tries to coax us beyond the protective barriers of her enclosure.  She enjoys the time she spends with us and all the attention she has been getting—even is it entails teasing us.

Introductions have been moving forward as well.  Though still kept separate from one another, Boo and Lucky have lots of opportunity to interact through and over a fence which subdivides their exhibit.  They can smell, feel, grab, rub, and tussle with one another during supervised encounters.  Boo often solicits Lucky to interact and, to appear less threatening, will actually approach Lucky by walking backwards toward her.  Lucky wants Boo to understand that she (Lucky) is still in charge of her home and will sometimes end their interactions by displaying at Boo with a raised trunk (see video).  This is to be expected, and the girls seem to be on their way toward reaching an agreement.

 

 

June 10, 2010

We continue to see advances in Boo’s acclimation to her new surroundings.  Her training allows us to provide her the detailed care and attention she deserves.  Her bond with her keepers grows stronger every day.   She enjoys her interactions with staff and often solicits interactions with Lucky.

Lucky’s bond with the zoo staff remains strong, just as it has always been.  She interacts with Boo, but is satisfied enough with human companionship that she doesn’t yet feel the need to play with Boo.  We are fortunate to have enough caregivers to keep both elephants engaged in behaviors that advance us toward the goal of uniting Boo with Lucky full-time.

The cautious introduction process may be a slow one, but there is regular progress.  We allow greater contact for longer periods each week.  Of greatest importance to us is that the elephants’ behavior  guides the process.  We have a plan, but it is up to the elephants to cooperate with that plan.  On rare occasions Boo may not choose to keep to our intended schedule.  We trust that our truly caring guests will understand that when dealing with large, intelligent animals there is always an element of unpredictability.

 

June 4, 2010

Boo makes her public debut. For now, Boo will be in the elephant yard in the morning and Lucky will take over in the afternoon. Boo is still getting accustom to the elephant yard, but she may not always want to be in the yard. Call the main office at (210) 734-7184 x "0" or check for signs at the elephant exhibit for updates.

Watch media highlights below, just click on the links.

MySanAntonio.com Slideshow
KSAT 12: "New Zoo Elephant Makes Public Debut"
WOAI.com: "Zoo Debuts New Elephant"
Fox 29 San Antonio: "New Elephant Makes Debut at Zoo"

 

May 27, 2010

As Boo gets accustomed to her new home, she has found the pool very enjoyable. Her first ventures into the yard are prior to public hours so that staff can evaluate her progress with less distraction.

 

 

 

 

May 21, 2010

Boo continues her morning visits in the corral. Keepers have seen continued progress with bathing and with the husbandry training she receives. Boo and Lucky have been given access to each other in adjacent stalls for short periods of time. This helps them get better acquainted.

May 14, 2010

Boo's adjustment and training have progressed well. She is allowed to roam the barn daily, receives regular baths, and has had some physical contact with Lucky. All indications have been very positive.

Similar to learning a new language, Boo has begun to understand the trainer's verbal instructions. She responds with appropriate behavors. She has shown a desire to cooperate, and is actually learning by watching Lucky. Boo has already begun to develop a bond with her trainers and enjoys interacting with them (especially if food is involved).

May 7, 2010

Zookeepers have started Boo on a husbandry-training program. Husbandry training will teach Boo certain behaviors that will allow keepers and vets the ability to give Boo a thorough physical exam.

Lucky and Boo have been introduced up-close, but not in the same enclosure. The keepers are reporting that so far the interactions between Boo and Lucky have been positive. Boo has been seen in the elephant yard exploring and playing with “toys.”

April 26, 2010

Today, Boo enjoyed a bucket of fresh fruit and didn’t hesitate to want more. She really likes to eat! She is doing well and is getting familiar with her new surroundings. Boo and Lucky can see each other from a distance and both seem very interested in each other. No plans yet to introduce them in the same space.

Boo’s first round of blood work came back normal. At this point, she does not appear to have any health issues that we are aware of, but we will continue to closely monitor her and spoil her rotten.

Check back next week for more updates.