J5 the moon-walking Elephant!

Meet J5 the Elephant!
J5 is a male elephant estimated to be 25–30 years old. He has been repeatedly spotted near camp in Gabon for many years and is usually seen once or twice a month, although less often during the dry season. One of his most distinctive habits is his fondness for mushrooms: staff say that when mushrooms begin to appear around camp, J5 is often not far behind. He has been seen eating them on several occasions, and signs of his feeding have also been found, including holes in the sand where mushrooms had previously been.

J5 pictured near camp in Gabon. 

J5 is sometimes seen with other male elephants, which is unusual, as male elephants are generally solitary once they leave their mothers’ groups. Although these elephants are sometimes only a few metres away, it is not always clear whether they are travelling together or simply happen to meet near camp. His nickname is short for “Jackson 5”, inspired by the famous band. He earned it because he is known to walk backwards, which is not typical behaviour for elephants - making him a moonwalking elephant, just like Michael Jackson! As well as his unusual footwork, J5 is easy to recognise because the tip of one of his tusks is slightly broken. He remains completely wild, but is known for his calm nature around the team, whether encountered by boat or on foot.

J5 pictured near camp in Gabon. 

J5’s story is a reminder of the wild lives that share this protected landscape, and why long-term conservation matters. Every calm encounter, every familiar footprint and every return to camp is only possible because this habitat is being safeguarded.

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