Asian elephant Samson meets Rose-Tu and Lily _ Oregon Zoo скачать в хорошем качестве

Asian elephant Samson meets Rose-Tu and Lily _ Oregon Zoo

Samson, the newest member of the Oregon Zoo elephant family, continues to make himself at home with the herd. After exploring Elephant Lands and meeting Chendra last week, he spent Friday morning getting to know Rose-Tu and her 5-year-old daughter Lily. The initial meeting took place inside Forest Hall. Rose-Tu and Lily rushed out to greet the newcomer, and all three began touching trunks and vocalizing loudly — especially Lily, who is known for her loud rumbles and chirps. “It’s always exciting when an adult male joins the herd,” said Bob Lee, who oversees the zoo’s elephant program. “Belonging to a multigenerational family — with male elephants coming in and out of the herd at different times — is really stimulating for all of our elephants.” After their initial meeting, the three enjoyed some time together exploring Elephant Lands’ outdoor areas. Chendra joined in as well, and guests could see all four chasing each other around the South Habitat. Visitors to the zoo might catch glimpses of the four pachyderms enjoying the sun this week as Samson spends more time with his new herdmates. Though this was their first physical encounter, the elephants have been hearing and smelling each other since Samson arrived at the Oregon Zoo on April 11 from ABQ BioPark in Albuquerque, N.M. Lee is hopeful that Samson will hit it off with Rose-Tu — mom to both Samudra and Lily — perhaps adding to the population of this highly endangered species. He also hopes the 20-year-old Samson can serve as a “big brother” to the younger male, Samudra, who turns 10 this year. In a natural setting, Lee said, adult male elephants are not permanent members of family herds. The majority of their time spent with females is for courtship and breeding, and the rest of the time, they live apart, sometimes forming bachelor herds. “Over the years, we’ve learned the importance of family and connection as a critical part of an elephant’s full social life,” Lee said. “Males coming in and out of the herd is essential to their health and wellbeing, and it’s really great to see that happening.” ... Committed to conservation, Oregon Zoo is currently working to save endangered California condors, Oregon silverspot and Taylor's checkerspot butterflies, western pond turtles and Oregon spotted frogs. Other projects include studies on Asian elephants, polar bears, orangutans and giant pandas. Celebrating 125 years of community support, the zoo relies in part on donations through the Oregon Zoo Foundation to undertake these and many other animal welfare, education and sustainability programs.