A Tribute to Boy

I was asked to write a tribute/obituary to Boy for an internet based zoo group. I've never had to write an obituary for a person, let alone an elephant. It was difficult to write about Boy and I can't begin to imagine how much it hurts to write about a person that you care about.

The photos at the end were taken by someone at Kyiv Zoo on the day before Boy died.

Boy was an Asiatic Bull elephant, born in approximately 1970. The records don’t say where, but we speculate that he was wild caught. He moved to Kyiv Zoo in the early 1970’s from Rostock.
Although Boy had been on his own for quite a few years, previously he had two female companions, he bred once with the first one.
Throughout the years Boy was at Kyiv Zoo the country of Ukraine changed greatly, notably it experienced the tragic nuclear disaster at Chornobyl, and also Ukraine became independent, leading to the problems associated with becoming a new country and the changes from communism to capitalism. As a city run zoo, these changes affected Boy, the zoo staff and all the other animals.
Boy was extremely special to the people of Kyiv; he grew up alongside them to become probably the biggest Asian bull in Europe (3.45 metres) and was a firm favourite with many, including the Mayor of Kyiv who was his Guardian and funded many of the recent developments to Boy’s enclosure.
Boy had a reputation as an aggressive dangerous animal; he killed one keeper and injured a few others.
He was plagued with health problems following tusk extractions due to breaking them. His feet were also of great concern. Because of these factors vets and other elephant experts travelled around the world to assist and provide advice, many giving their time and skills voluntarily. Boy had a great many friends and I’m so grateful to all of them.
When I first met Boy he wasn’t doing so well. The zoo was in financial trouble due to the economic crisis and other political issues. He needed help with his behaviour, nutrition and foot-care. I asked the elephant zoo community for help and it came flooding in. People gave me their time and expertise freely to help me redesign Boy’s enclosure, develop an enrichment programme and take him from a non-contact situation into a Protected Contact Operant Conditioning programme. Boy and his keepers took to this new system like ducks to water.
Boy was a special animal to me, I found him to be quick thinking, hard working and great to be around. He made me learn an awful lot about elephants. There’s just something wonderful about tilting your head up and gazing into the eyes of a huge animal and knowing that you both understand that when he puts his head or foot on the target stick he’s going to get a big reward.

Boy collapsed and died in the morning on Monday 26th April 2010. His death seems to have been very quick. Initial signs indicate poisoning, and known animal rights activists are suspected, a necropsy will be carried out.

The End

I recieved a very sad email today from Kyiv Zoo.

Boy is dead.

He died early this morning, very suddenly.

The vets suspect that he has been poisoned.

I would like to thank all the wonderful people all over the world who helped me change Boy's life. We gave him a happy end to his life and I wouldn't have been able to do anything without your assistance and knowledge.

People gave their time freely to me, answering questions, sending photos and ideas for enrichment, helping me with the designs for the enclosure modifications, and the generous donations that helped me go to Elephant School in Hamburg. You all made it possible to do something wonderful for my elephant.

Boy had a difficult life, he was lonely and had some health problems. Despite all this, he was willing to work and train with me. I think he craved attention.

Boy helped me a lot too.

He was an amazing animal and I miss him.

London

It’s been ages since I last wrote anything. Things have changed tremendously and I don’t know where to start. I think that’s why I’ve left it so long, but it just gets harder to know what to write.
Steve and I are no longer in Ukraine and have finished working at Kyiv Zoo. We had a few problems with our paperwork, and our work permits and visas were not renewed.
It was very sad to leave as we feel that the zoo was making real progress. We have left behind some wonderful people – friends, zoologists and conservationists. Steve and I will always support the work of Kyiv Zoo and will provide advice and act as consultants to them in the future.
Steve was pleased to have completed the lynx enclosure, and in the next few weeks a male lynx will be sent to Kyiv Zoo to begin a new blood line for the conservation breeding programme, an important achievement for both Steve and Kyiv Zoo.
With my elephant Boy it’s a bit different. I know that I made some hugely significant changes to enhance his welfare but I didn’t achieve what I planned in terms of his training. I hope that the vets continue my work and train Boy for his footcare. A lot of people from around the world supported me with my work with Boy and I am so extremely grateful as I wouldn’t have been able to do anything for Boy without them. I miss working with Boy, he was very forgiving and prepared to work with me.

I’m finding it good to be back in the UK, although it is also quite funny. On the last day in Kyiv the temperature was about -25°C at the airport and thick heavy snow. So, during the snow in the UK in January I didn’t find it too cold at all.

Since being back I’ve been catching up with friends and family which has been lovely. I’ve neglected too many people and it’s time to start seeing everyone again.

I’ve also been to a few zoos since being back; Dublin, Marwell, Twycross, Whipsnade, Rare Species Conservation Centre, Port Lympne and Dudley. I have photos from some of these so I’ll try and write something about these zoos soon.