Another sad afternoon.
Back with the dogs in the afternoon and One-eye was now showing full blown rabies symptoms. He wasn’t really hassling the other dogs but was tearing away at any bush in front of him. Again I had to make that hard decision and we put One-eye down.
The pack now sits at 9 dogs with Whisky being the only adult left in the pack. At sunset he took the pack off at a brisk pace west. We let them be.
This morning at dawn the pack were on the hunt again but unsuccessful. And it seems unsuccessful last night too. Although they all looked a little lean, the pack looked healthy as they rested up near Nhoro pan.
With my morale really down I left the dogs in the hope of finding other animal activity that would be more uplifting and provide me with a happier ending.
I knew elephants would be the answer, but where would I find them.
At Chekwa pan I found a few bulls drinking, including this bull with his shortened trunk that was cut off in a poachers wire snare. He was coping fine though. But that was hardly going to lift my spirits.
Moving on, at Lojaan dam I found Snorkel. He was in good shape and his breathing problem seeming to have disappeared. Alone, he was mud wallowing and enjoying himself.
I still needed more and left him to look for the herds.
Only once I’d done a full circle and was back at Lojaan did the herds come in to drink, swim and play. It was the most wonderfully calm scene as they bathed without a worry in the world and content to spend hours in the water.
After watching them for a couple of hours, as they moved on I felt totally revitalised and in a positive mood to go and visit the dogs again in the afternoon.
Ah! I think we all needed the relief of seeing the contented elephants, even though it’s hard to stop thinking of “our” dog pack.
Here’s another little happy bit: I have read lately that a couple of US zoos have finally recognized the cruelty of keeping elephants in small spaces without a chance for socialization. Sorry, I can’t remember which zoos, but maybe others will follow their lead!
Kim, that is why the work you and others like you are doing is so necessary. Education about our fellow creatures and their needs is the only way we can bring about change in the way they are treated–even if it is one small step at a time. When sad things happen like are happening with the dogs, try to remember all the good you are doing.
Pat –
It’s a long, slow process but little by little US zoos are having to acknowledge that elephants need space, companions (preferably related), natural habitats, etc. In the last couple weeks, two (!) zoo elephants have moved to sanctuary — Dulary from the Philadelphia Zoo to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee and Ruby from the Los Angeles Zoo to PAWS in California.
If you want to keep up with current campaigns, the leading organization working for zoo elephants is In Defense of Animals — http://www.savezooelephants.com/. (I hope it’s okay if I include this plug.)
I wish we could make Kim’s feed required viewing for all zoo directors and staff.
And, yes, thank you, Kim, for giving us that much-needed respite. I have opened your feed the past days with a mixture of anxiety and trepidation for the latest news about the dogs. I hope better days are ahead.
Amy
Thank you Amy … another campaign is being waged to retire Maggie from the Anchorage Zoo!
Elephants always delight in swimming together, and this video was a delight to watch. Regarding North American zoos getting the message to release their captive elephants to the two wonderful sanctuaries in the U.S., The Elephant Sanctuary and PAWS, please feel free to join The Elephant Commentator for informed discussion on this topic and on topics about elephants from around the world.
http://groups.msn.com/TheElephantCommentator