Our old lady Jumpaa said good bye to us today. Jumpaa was an old blind logging/trekking elephant rescued in 2009 by father Lorne and mother Christine Thomson. Jumpaa became a close herd member to Mintra since arrival, and became one of the nanny’s of Yindee in 2013. She had a strong bond to her small family.
Last year she lost the last of her teeth. Eating became difficult and she had some weight loss but we were able to keep her well with special soft foods made for her to help with digestion and energy. The last couple of months, with the weather so hot and the air quality poor, she began to reveal her age. Some days she couldn’t walk to the field with her herd, receiving fluid therapy at the shelter, yet other days she overcame her troubles and found the energy to be with them. She loved the time spent with her family, even her legs weakened. Last month while walking to the river she had a fall. Her family was clearly very concerned about her. Since that day she walked quite slowly but still wanted to follow the herd. Every day we supported her with IV fluid.
She passed peacefully this morning in her sleep. Today when we prepared her for burial, her herd came to grieve with parting words and sorrow. Grief and mourning was tangible, especially Pornsawan. And the young boy Yindee could not accept the loss, trying to push and kick his nanny to stand up. The herd stayed with her long after the ceremony, kicking the dirt, touching and straddling her body with vocalizations seldom heard. Their sorrow interred, no doubt they will tarry at the site for some time until sorrow remembers the light.
RIP our beautiful girl. One decade of your life knew the joys of being an elephant. Thank you for your time with us. You are one of our treasures. You are missed by us truly.
Jampaa and her herd
