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 Age:
35
Weight: 7,750 lbs. as of August 2012
Country of origin: Unknown, Africa
Came to Indianapolis: 1989
Tombi arrived at the Potter Park Zoo in Michigan
on November 8, 1979, after she was acquired in
Africa as a two-year-old. At that time, zoos
were not as aware as they are today of how
important social interaction is for elephants.
At the Potter Park Zoo, she was kept by as a
single elephant and had two primary keepers who
served as her companions. On December 6, 1989,
Tombi arrived at the Indianapolis Zoo on
breeding loan for socialization with other
elephants.
Tombi is unique among the Indianapolis Zoo’s
herd of elephants. Because of her early years,
she did not know what it meant to be an
elephant. At first she was frightened of the
other elephants, but over time she has gotten
more comfortable with them. Although she still
is not totally accepted by the herd, Tombi’s
interactions with the other elephants are
improving. Sophi, Ivory and Tombi get along with
little to no problems. Kubwa and Tombi's
relationship is improving as Tombi becomes more
confident as she ages. Thanks to the generosity
of some Zoo donors, the Indianapolis Zoo was
able to purchase Tombi in 1998 so she may stay
with this herd and continue to learn to be an
elephant.
Tombi is a slender elephant with a square,
narrow head and two even tusks that curve in.
She is a very calm and stable elephant for the
handlers to work with. Tombi is wonderful to use
in demonstrations, public contact activities and
public relations events - such as the elephant
painting demonstration in the photo above.
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