Photo gallery for Leticia nearing her end

| Image 1 of 2 |

Leticia feeding alone in the swamp

Leticia feeding alone in the swamp
Leticia

ssayialel's picture

Leticia nearing her end

Fri, 2008-11-07 09:39 by ssayialel · Forum/category:

Leticia is a matriarch of the LB family, born in the early 1940's. She had her first calf, Luke, a male, born in 1966 and her last-born, Leo, born in 1995. Leticia is recorded to have given birth to seven calves, of which two died and five are still alive. As an Elephant at this age, the current drought in Amboseli National Park and the entire ecosystem is proving to be tough for Leticia. Elephants are adapted to a life of foraging; feeding approximately 60% of a 24-hour day they consume 150-350 kg, or four to six percent of their body weight. An adult elephant must drink about 160 litres per day.

Elephant families are composed of a discrete, predictable composition of individuals, but over the course of hours or days these groups may temporarily separate and reunite, or they may mingle with other social groups to form temporarily larger social units. But for a lone Leticia it's a different case. She has been seen feeding alone. In her 60's, she is very old and walking very slowly, which makes her unable to catch up with her family. Feeding is a problem for an old Elephant like Leticia who is down to her last molar and wearing out. Due to this reason Leticia feeds on the fresh and soft vegetation in the swamp every day.

A matriarch, usually the oldest female, leads each family. She determines many of the decisions including daily movements and associations. Consequently, her age and experience affects the survival and success of her entire family. Now that Leticia is nearing her end due to old age, the next oldest, Lucia, born in 1963, will take over and we hope she has gathered enough experience to lead the LB's.