Jumbo enjoys retirement at Franklin Zoo

Jumbo the elephant is enjoying her retirement at Franklin Zoo and Wildlife Sanctuary.

The elephant moved to the Zoo three weeks ago, upon her release from the circus.

Sanctuary director and veterinarian Dr Helen Schofield says she has settled very quickly into her new surroundings and large enclosure area. “Jumbo is intelligent and fun loving and gains more confidence in her surroundings and in her team of carers each day. On her second day out in the enclosure she discovered the mud wallow and had a lovely time rolling around and covering herself in mud.”

“When she’s not in training, visitors can watch her out foraging in her parkland area, playing with toys, eating or sleeping on her clay or sand piles. She can move into her indoor area whenever she chooses - sometimes all you will see are feet sticking out when she has a nap inside.”

Helen says, “As an indication of just how well she has settled in, Jumbo choose to lie down and have a nap right beside where our visitors were holding a Christmas function a few nights ago. This is a great sign as it shows she feels safe and secure enough in her new home to rest out in the open. Elephants normally only sleep around four hours per day to keep alert to predators or other dangers.”

A new team member at the Zoo is Bruce Ireland, who has 27 years experience at Auckland Zoo, 16 of those working with elephants.

“Bruce is a fantastic addition to the team at Franklin Zoo. Along with his extensive experience with elephants, he is compassionate and has already developed a rapport with Jumbo. Bruce has trained and enriched the lives of many other species of zoo animal, which will be a huge benefit for Franklin Zoo’s large range of animals and birds,” says Helen.

The elephant team at Franklin Zoo now includes Bruce, three existing keepers and elephant specialist Richard Kudeweh, who Hamilton Zoo has kindly seconded to Franklin Zoo as an advisor. The team is guided by Laurie Pond, a renowned elephant specialist based at Australia Zoo and assistant Manu Ludden (Australia Zoo).

Jumbo’s enclosure was designed by Peter Stroud (Melbourne) who has been involved with elephants internationally. His experience and understanding of animal exhibits and elephants is crucial to the success of the team.

Helen says, “Jumbo has spent the last 30 years in the circus, so has special needs as a result. The Franklin Zoo Charitable Trust has made a huge commitment to do the absolute best for her. We’ve assembled an impressive team to care for her and advise the Trust on her welfare. It is because of these people’s skills that Jumbo has progressed so far in her short time with us.”

Jumbo’s carers are using a method of management called protective care or contact. This involves positive operant conditioning, where commands or behaviours are asked for and rewarded. There is no punishment involved. All contact is through a protected wall for safety. Over time, Jumbo will learn many commands which will allow us to scrub her skin, wash her down, trim and care for her feet and perform other veterinary tests.

Franklin Zoo and Wildlife Sanctuary care for at-risk exotic and native species, in particular, those that require homes from the circus or small zoo closures. Predominantly a sanctuary, most of the animals are old, need special care or just don’t fit in with other groups of animals.

Keeping an elephant and other at-risk species is a significant financial commitment. The Franklin Zoo and Wildlife Sanctuary Charitable Trust was established one year ago to assist in the care of these animals. Donations are very much needed and appreciated and can be made at the Zoo or on the website www.franklinzoo.co.nz.

The Franklin Zoo and Wildlife Sanctuary is open every day (including Christmas and New Years Day) 9am to 5pm. There are interactive keeper talks each day, Monkeying Around talk at 11am and Wild Encounters at 2pm. Jumbo is sharing her new home with many other species of animals, including lions, monkeys, bobcats, lemurs, zebra and more.