I wish you all could have been a squirrel perched on a tree branch last night to witness the boisterous display that preceded the night feed. It was glorious.
For only the second night in the season, temps dropped to the mid-30s for several hours. This extended cold was enough to require the barn doors to be closed and inferred heaters on.
I decided to treat this uncommon event like a party so the elephants would perceive it as something good. Being able to wander the habitat 24/7 is a reality these elephants savor. Confinement in the barn restricts autonomy. But when temps are below 40’ for many consecutive hours shelter is required.
When I headed out to feed, all three were at the far end of the 100-acre habitat, browsing. When I showed up for the late-night feed with no rations on the ATV, surely they knew they would not be fed outside.
I said, “Hey guys, it’s gonna be cold tonight, let’s go”, followed by a series of silly hoots and hollers to get them excited and willing to follow me.
Bo let out his signature squeak followed by a powerful trumpet and the game was on! He started moving quickly, trumpeting, and squeaking. While Mundi did her interference dance, stepping in front of him playfully, causing Bo to jog to the left and then the right and then spin around with more mighty echoing trumpets. All the while I revved my engine which always gets the elephants so excited that they act like a pack of puppies tumbling around together in play. Tarra stayed a respectable distance to the side, watching the scene, while she added her nonstop chatter to the party. All three made their way the mile to the barn, spinning, squealing, trumpeting, and jogging all the way.
This is exactly why I do what I do, to be privy to the private lives of Bo, Tarra, and Mundi. Being present and even involved in their moments of joy, curiosity, and loving relationship with each other is priceless.
Elephant trumpets filled the air, echoing down the valley straight to the neighbor’s back porches. I wonder what they thought!
