Aging isn’t for sissy elephants

Third in a series

We suspected Irene’s legs were too uncomfortable for her to stay lying down long enough for quality shut eye. But there was more; she’d accumulated additional maladies over her 58 years. And, hey, which AARP member among us hasn’t?

The ABQ BioPark’s elephant herd includes Alice, born in 1974, and her daughter Rozie, a 1992 model. And, much as their natural ranging sisters would, they get along fine. Albert, the stud with tusks, was born in 1998 to Calvin and Lilly at African Lion Safari in Ontario, Canada. Albert moved to the BioPark in 2003. Irene and Albert share a rather sordid history.

Irene ignited a fracas with this bull over attention from their care staff. She ended up on the ground, injuring her right front leg, which was already stiff. Her limp has improved somewhat but if you look carefully you can see a hitch in her get-along. She and Albert are now considered incompatible and haven’t shared space since 2020 but these highly social animals still need to see, hear, and smell each other. No longer picking fights, Irene now spends most of her time with Alice and Rozie.

I think that if elder elephants could speak a human language they’d agree that aging isn’t for sissies. Irene’s right eye developed a cataract 2 years ago. The lens dislocated, leading to inflammation and pain. Veterinary ophthalmologist Dr. Nancy McLean gave her the best medical treatment but without success. The eye was surgically removed.

Now sighted on only one side, Irene’s caretakers noticed her getting easily startled. Anxiety is common in aging elephants. Irene’s may have worsened with her chronic aching joints and partial blindness. Gradual hearing loss hasn’t helped.

When I arrived to meet Irene, her caretakers had already built a sand hill in her bedding area to make it easier for her to lie down and get up but colder January weather stymied that effort. We knew Irene’s quality of life was still good but we believed the old girl could feel better.

Next week:  Cheating fate with modern medicine.

For help with behavior problems, you can sign-up for a Zoom Group Conference on my website, drjeffnichol.com.

Dr. Jeff Nichol is a residency-trained veterinary behaviorist. He provides consultations in-person and in groups by Zoom (drjeffnichol.com). Each week he shares a blog and a video to help bring out the best in pets and their people. Sign up at no charge at drjeffnichol.com. Post pet questions through my website, drjeffnichol.com/contact/or by US Post to 4000 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuq, NM 87109.