@WhistlingKite24 Man Jai’s tusks were growing quickly before they were removed! It is quite a shame he lost them.
I saw Kulab getting quite impatient with him when I visited two weeks ago. They were both feeding in the same place (where there was a lot of hay), and Man Jai seemed to want to eat that hay. Every time he got to close though, Kulab would kick him, and Man Jai would then run over to Dokkon for comfort. This happened multiple times, before Man Jai gave up, and went to eat with Mali.
@Jambo That’s interesting behaviour from Kulab. She was apparently very maternal towards Num Oi’s calf, Willow; but now seems to be treating Man Jai as another adult, rather than a calf in the herd.
Gung was only two years older when he became regarded by the female herd as a nuisance, so perhaps it’d be beneficial for all of them if Man Jai began the transition to living separately. Luk Chai, Pathi Harn and Ongard had all left their respective herds by his age, though Luk Chai and Pathi Harn having each other; and Ongard having contact with Bong Su, no doubt helped.
@WhistlingKite24 There’s been comments that the breaking of tusks is attributed to the captive environment. Whether or not that’s true, maybe Melbourne Zoo (who are planning to phase out their elephants) are keen for any breakages not to happen on their watch, especially since Man Jai won’t be around long enough for Melbourne Zoo to see him mature into the impressive specimen his father was.
