I know a few individuals you worked with both Reba (Daffodil) and Sheena when they were much younger and they are just naturally cantankerous elephants. Has nothing to do with them being working elephants.
Here's one of the old articles describing the girls and their backgrounds: Elephants at the Phoenix Zoo get a new habitat The following is a very comprehensive list of "incidents" including killings, injuries, escapes, and just wanderings off. This document is kept thorough and current (note the inclusion of this summer's ALS keeper attack). With its straightforward, non-exaggerrated tone, one would be surprised to find that it is a PETA document. I have found this fascinating over the years as a way to see what causes elephants to react as they do to stimuli. As you might expect, most of the "incidents" involve circus animals simply because being transported and moved around in public lends itself to more possibilities for problems. There are a few zoo elephants here, though, although not always named. Reba and Indu appear here, and the 1980s ALS killing was none other than the late Tusko, who was such a good father and group member in Portland before his death. There are repeated references to elephants who were owned by Hawthorne and ordered by the government to be removed and become some of The Elephant Sanctuary's earliest residents. And former Calgary girls Rani and Swarna both appear, having both attacked keepers in the past; NZP keepers say they've come a long way, but that's somewhat of a low bar. Komala (Rani's mother)was just so nasty to uber-gentleman Spike that he knocked her over. It's not safe for Rani and Komala to ever share space with Ambika, Shanthi, or Bozie, and Swarna's occasional presence in the A/S/B group used to make me think Swarna just needed a break from the other two's hysterics, but every time I've seen her with the trio, she spends her time making a beeline to attack elderly Ambika, who is fortunately fiercely protected by Bozie. NZP has its hands full too with three explosive girls, but at least not everyone must live separately. Elephant-Incident-List-US-only.pdf I'm sorry this link isn't working. Just use search words "Elephant Incidents," and you should find it easily.
A male white rhino from the Brevard Zoo will soon be sent to Phoenix. White Rhino 'Howard' Will Head to Phoenix Zoo After 17 Years as a Favorite at Brevard Zoo |
Asian elephant Reba has died age 51 https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.az...3ff41aae-7515-11ea-b614-4f820a842ccc.amp.html
Due to continued Covid-19 restrictions, the zoo is opening to cars for a drive-experience on the next two weekends (May 8-10 and 15-17). Cost is $65 per vehicle.
The zoo will reopen to members on June 13-14 and to the general public on June 15. Tickets must be purchased (or reserved for members) online in advance. Guest capacity is being capped at 2,500 per day (which IMO should not be that difficult in the middle of summer in Phoenix). More information here: Phoenix Zoo Reopening - Phoenix Zoo
"The Arizona Center for Nature Conservation/Phoenix Zoo is excited to announce we had six cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl checks fledge from two sets of parents. We are hopeful for more chicks this season." Security Check
Due to the dramatic increase in Covid-19 cases in Arizona the zoo has closed once again to visitors on foot. They will continue to offer a drive-thru experience on select dates (by advance reservation).
Surprise hatching of an Ornate box turtle hatchling: Surprise! Baby turtle hatched at the Phoenix Zoo It's not uncommon for animals to be born at a zoo, but in this instance, keepers at the Phoenix Zoo were truly surprised by the hatching of a baby Ornate box turtle. On Aug. 25, keepers found the hatchling in the exhibit. A male turtle hadn't been with the females for more than 18 months, but keepers say females can store sperm and produce "clutches of eggs" for years after breeding. "Typically, egg incubation is around 50 – 70 days from the time of fertilization," the zoo said.