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Update on the EB Family: 13 June 2009  It is six weeks since Echo died. The family is still split into sub-units but there seems to be a pattern emerging. Ella’s section of the family has not been seen. In fact, the records show that she left the area before Echo died. This kind of move is not unusual for Ella, but to stay away for this long is unexpected. Ella, who is Echo’s sister and is the oldest female remaining at 44 years old, forms a small sub-group of nine animals including her two daughters Emma and Elettra and their calves. Edwina, who is Echo’s granddaughter, along with her four daughters have broken off and are spending each day in Ol Tukai Orok near the research camp. More often than not over the last couple of years Edwina was separated from Echo’s part of the family, so this split is not at all unexpected. One aspect of it is unusual. Her oldest daughter, Europa, appears to be strongly drawn to the larger part of the family. She is often found with the Eudora and Eliot section but not quite of it. Rather she is always on the periphery, which is a sad sight. The pull to the social stimulation of the much bigger group must be very strong to make her leave her mother. Eleanor, Edwina’s younger sister, seems to have no strong bonds with anyone. She and her three calves usually move on their own or they join up with part of one of the other groups. Her oldest calf, Elmo, is sometimes with his mother but is often with the larger section of the family. At 10 years old he is starting his transition to independence. Eudora, who is Echo’s niece and at 37 years is the next oldest female after Ella, appears to be taking over the leadership of the main body of the family. For awhile after Echo died her small subgroup of six individuals, including her adult daughter Elspeth, moved on its own. Then she joined up with Eliot’s part of the family. Until that time Eliot had been leading most of the remaining close relatives of Echo, that is, her daughters and granddaughters and their calves. About two weeks after Echo died Eudora and Eliot left the area completely and went out to the western part of the Park. This move was major for the EBs who are serious homebodies. They stayed out there for about three weeks and returned to the centre of their range four days ago. Watching them carefully over the last few days, it seems that Eudora is taking up the leadership role. Enid and her three calves form the fifth sub-group. The oldest living daughter of Echo, Enid is the one most disturbed by her death. She was very strongly bonded to Echo, rarely found more than a few metres from her. When Eudora and Eliot left Enid stayed behind and slept each night close to Echo’s carcass. Her two youngest calves stayed close to her, but her oldest calf Ejac was with her on some days but mostly apart. At 12 years old he is definitely going independent. Poor Enid, during the period the others were away she showed signs of being very distraught. She had temporal gland secretion and called frequently. Her behaviour was probably both a response to losing Echo and to her family leaving. Now that the others are back she follows along behind them but keeps her distance. She doesn’t seem as distraught, but still seems disturbed and very subdued. Echo was a wise and experienced matriarch. She taught her family well and with that knowledge she imparted they will carry on without her. Breakdown of the EB Sub-Groups: Ella = 9
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Dearest Cynthia
Sun, 2009-06-21 05:17 by BluAbbeyCat
Thank you for the update on the EB Family.. like everyone here ..I wonder who will take over Echo's lead...I would like to take this time to say how sorry I am that you had to be so far away from Echo when she had fallen .. how heartbroken you must have been to be so far away from her.. She was indeed your family,your life, your love..if I could only take the pain of your broken heart away ..I would...I am so sorry. Dolores
Echo's Family
Tue, 2009-06-16 07:22 by 2colleens
Thank you Cynthia for your update. I really feel for Enid but hopefully in time she will get over the lose of Echo. I hope she will stay with Eudora and Eliot. It will be a big adjustment for the whole family. It will be interesting to see what Ella does when she returns. I also think it was such a shame that Erin was speared. I think she would have made a good Matriach.
Thanks again for keeping us posted.
Future of the EB's
Mon, 2009-06-15 14:38 by Anna Martinsson
Thank you for this update Cynthia, I am pleased Eudora joined up with Eliot and is starting to take up the role of the new Matriarch, she was born back in 1972 and part of the small nuclear group of just a few Elephants (be it as a new born) that was first recorded and subsequently went on to be the EB's, it is fitting she may now lead Echo's younger daughters and I hope Enid will join up with the others when she is ready..
Maybe Eudora took the family away from Echo's body just like Echo did when Erin died, to spare them further upset and confusion, she would have like you said picked up the knowledge Echo imparted on them over so many years. I believe she was also very close to Echo and has the right temperament to lead and unite the group so that hopefully the traits so associated with them, happiness, playfulness and in harmony with themselves will continue to prosper in the future.
One can't but think that the future of Erin's older daughters (Edwina & Eleanor) would have been so different had she still been alive, their destiny would maybe have panned out in another direction, thanks once again for keeping us updated...
The E Bs
Sun, 2009-06-14 20:10 by Alison1962
Thankyou so much for your update, i have wondered how they were all coping, also who was with who. I feel for Enid and i hope she become stronger and more confident back with up Eudora and Eliot soon.
It looks as if Eudora could take over and lead the group it will be interesting to see what happens. Thankyou again for this information. Alison
EB Family
Sun, 2009-06-14 13:11 by 4echo
Thank you for your update, Cythia.
I have read most of your books and watched every Echo's DVD. It's safe to say that your research project of elephants is monumental. I have utmost admiration for you and your dedicated ATE team. I think every one who loves elephants would agree with me. Echo & her lovely family know that you are their voice and guardian angel. I like to believe that Echo's spirit and wisdom will guide her family to safety, food and water FOREVER.
Thank You
Sun, 2009-06-14 01:17 by hge
Thank you Cynthia for the update. There is always new information come along and always quite fascinating.
Seems young bulls in there teens start to go independent after Echo is gone. I hope Enid will go back to the big group. Is there more rain recently? I guess in the picture Enid and her baby are in the swamp.
I also hope Eleanor will join either the big group or her sister Edwina. I didn’t know much about her as she is always at the background. But I believe if Erin is still alive, both sisters will do better in the group. I hope Email and Erica are doing great.
Maybe when Ella’s subgroup comes back they will join the big group as well. Can’t wait for your next update.
Have a great day!
EB family
Sat, 2009-06-13 20:55 by Pete666
Thank you Cynthia for the update, it's good to know how the EB's are getting on. Carrying the knowledge that Echo imparted will hopefully stand the family in good stead.
Pete
EB Update
Sat, 2009-06-13 20:43 by Donna
Thank you, Cynthia. It is so good to hear that the EBs have come together better. I hope Enid and her calves will eventually become part of the larger group. Maybe when Ella returns, she and her group will too. I have that wonderful picture of Echo the was on your web site with her original death notice both in my study and on the fridge in the kitchen, so the EBs are never far from my thoughts. I really appreciate your periodic updates.
Donna