North American African Elephant Population

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Elephant Enthusiast

Elephant Enthusiast

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The purpose of this thread is to publish the current population of African elephants in North America, and to collaborate with the thread North American African Elephant Institutions and North American African Elephant Reproduction.

In North America, there are currently 205 (40.165) African elephants as of March 2018. Of those 205 African elephants, 160 (36.124) African elephants reside at accredited facilities while 45 (4.41) African elephants reside at non accredited facilities such as private institutions and circuses. The information was collected through the following sources:

African Elephant Studbook 2011 - Elephant TAG
African Elephant Studbook 2008 - Elephant TAG
African Elephant Studbook 2006 - Elephant TAG
Elephant Deaths at Facilities Accredited by the AZA
Le Zoo de Granby accueillera un nouvel éléphant d'Afrique
African Elephant | Birmingham Zoo
The Long Journey
3 African elephants arrive at Reid Park Zoo
Mabu Returns To Reid Park Zoo
Fresno Chaffee Zoo gets two elephants for new African exhibit
San Diego Zoo Safari Park Loans African Elephant to Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Jambo finds new life at our zoo
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo celebrates opportunity to integrate two new African elephants into their herd
Baby Elephant Receives Warm Welcome at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Baby Elephant, Stella, Celebrates Her First Birthday at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The Jacksonville Zoo welcomes new elephant to the herd
Tsavo arrives home at Disney from the National Elephant Center
Virginia Zoo Elephants Arrive at Zoo Miami to Retire
Elephantastic News! African Elephant Born at Tampa Zoo
Baby Elephant Born at Lowry Park Zoo Makes Important Genetic Contribution
Indianapolis Zoo Who's at the Zoo
Becoming one family: Elephants at Sedgwick County Zoo bond
Topeka Zoo welcomes 2 new elephants
Kansas City Zoo trumpets arrival of Tamani the bull elephant
1 year later, elephants have made Omaha zoo their home
UPDATE: Louie arrives at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
Seneca Park Zoo welcomes two more African elephants
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Welcomes Shenga To African Elephant Crossing
African Bull Elephant Willy arrives at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo introduced the newest member of the African Elephant Crossing herd today
ShowMe Elephants: Toledo Zoo Birth
Wildlife Safari welcomes new elephant
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Relocates Elephant Pair to Oregon
Pittsburgh zoo helps rescue three African elephants
Pittsburgh Zoo hopes elephant will soon sire calves by the ton
It’s been one magical year with our Swaziland elephants
Timeline: Ups, downs of National Elephant Center
Buy a Painting Created by an Elephant at Grant's Farm

The institutions are organized by accredited institutions then non accredited institutions. Within those categories the institutions are organized by country, then state, then city in alphabetical order.

Granby Zoo - Granby, Québec, Canada
1.0 Tutume (Tembo x Sabah) 1999-04-09
0.1 Sarah 1983-00-00

Birmingham Zoo - Birmingham, Alabama, USA
1.0 Bulwagi (Peter x Mama) 1981-03-03
1.0 Ajani (Maclean x Ivory) 2000-08-04
1.0 Callee (Jackson x Savannah) 2000-09-22

Montgomery Zoo - Montgomery, Alabama, USA
0.1 Timba 1982-00-00
0.1 Tanya 1984-00-00
0.1 Tonji (Sdudla x Tanya) 2007-11-07

Reid Park Zoo - Tucson, Arizona, USA
1.0 Mabhulane 1990-00-00
1.0 Impunga (Mabhulane x Litsemba) 2007-03-11
1.0 Sundzu (Mabhulane x Litsemba) 2010-12-27
0.1 Litsemba 1990-00-00
0.1 Lungile 1991-00-00
0.1 Nandi (Mabhulane x Litsemba) 2014-08-20

San Diego Zoo Safari Park - Escondido, California, USA
1.0 Msholo 1989-00-00
1.0 Ingadze (Mabhulane x Umngani) 2009-03-13
1.0 Lutsandvo (Mabhulane x Ndula) 2010-02-14
1.0 Macembe (Mabhulane x Swazi) 2010-04-12
1.0 Emanti (Mabhulane x Umoya) 2010-05-12
1.0 Inhlonipho (Mabhulane x Umngani) 2011-09-26
0.1 Ndula 1990-00-00
0.1 Umngani 1990-00-00
0.1 Swazi 1990-00-00
0.1 Khosi (Mabhulane x Umngani) 2006-09-11
0.1 Phakamile (Mabhulane x Umoya) 2007-09-19
0.1 Qinisa (Mabhulane x Swazi) 2012-08-28

Fresno Chaffee Zoo - Fresno, California, USA
1.0 Vusmusi (Unknown x Ndula) 2004-02-23
0.1 Miss Bets (Willie x Amy) 2007-12-08

Oakland Zoo - Oakland, California, USA
1.0 Osh (Yossi x Sara) 1994-05-24
0.1 Dunda 1969-00-00
0.1 Lisa 1977-00-00
0.1 Donna 1980-00-00

San Diego Zoo - San Diego, California, USA
0.1 Tembo 1971-00-00
0.1 Shaba 1980-00-00

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo - Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
0.1 Missy 1969-00-00
0.1 Kimba 1977-00-00
0.1 Lucky 1979-00-00
0.1 Kimba 1982-00-00
0.1 Jambo 1983-00-00
0.1 Malaika 1985-00-00

Disney’s Animal Kingdom - Bay Lake, Florida, USA
1.0 Maclean 1982-00-00
1.0 Tsavo (Jackson x Moyo) 2008-06-28
1.0 Jabali (Ali x Vasha) 2011-08-24
0.1 Rafiki 1979-00-00
0.1 Donna 1984-00-00
0.1 Vasha 1985-00-00
0.1 Kianga (Jackson x Vasha) 2004-07-06
0.1 Nidirah (Jackson x Donna) 2005-12-19
0.1 Luna (Maclean x Donna) 2010-05-20
0.1 Stella (Maclean x Donna) 2017-01-04

Jacksonville Zoo - Jacksonville, Florida, USA
1.0 Ali 1991-00-00
0.1 Thandi 1980-00-00
0.1 Sheena 1983-00-00

Miami Zoo - Miami, Florida, USA
0.1 Cita 1969-00-00
0.1 Peggy 1976-00-00
0.1 Mabel 1976-00-00

Tampa Zoo - Tampa, Florida, USA
1.0 Sdudla 1990-00-00
0.1 Ellie 1982-00-00
0.1 Matjeka 1991-00-00
0.1 Mbali 1992-00-00
0.1 Mpumi (Sdudla x Mbali) 2012-12-23
0.1 Mavi (Sdudla x Matjeka) 2013-07-29

Atlanta Zoo - Atlanta, Georgia, USA
0.1 Tara 1982-00-00
0.1 Kelly 1983-00-00

Indianapolis Zoo - Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
1.0 Kedar (Bulwagi x Kubwa) 2005-10-18
0.1 Sophi 1968-00-00
0.1 Kubwa 1976-00-00
0.1 Tombi 1976-00-00
0.1 Ivory 1982-00-00
0.1 Zahara (Ali x Ivory) 2006-08-31
0.1 Kalina (Jackson x Kubwa) 2011-07-20
0.1 Nyah (Jackson x Ivory) 2012-06-28

Topeka Zoo - Topeka, Kansas, USA
0.1 Tembo 1971-00-00

Sedgwick County Zoo - Wichita, Kansas, USA
1.0 Titane (Unknown x Simunye) 2009-00-00
0.1 Stephanie 1971-00-00
0.1 Simunye 1997-00-00
0.1 Zuberi 2008-00-00
0.1 Arusi 2009-00-00
0.1 Xolani 2009-00-00
0.1 Talia 2010-00-00

Louisville Zoo - Louisville, Kentucky, USA
0.1 Mikki 1985-00-00

Maryland Zoo - Baltimore, Maryland, USA
1.0 Tuffy 1983-00-00
1.0 Samson (Willie x Lil Felix) 2008-03-19
0.1 Anna 1975-00-00
0.1 Lil Felix 1983-00-00

Kansas City Zoo - Kansas City, Missouri, USA
1.0 Tamani (Bulwagi x Ellie) 2005-10-17
0.1 Lady 1968-00-00
0.1 Tattoo 1978-00-00
0.1 Megan 1978-00-00
0.1 Lea 1978-00-00
0.1 Lois 1978-00-00
0.1 Zoe 1984-00-00

Henry Doorly Zoo - Omaha, Nebraska, USA
1.0 Louie (Bulwagi x Renee) 2003-04-30
0.1 Jayei 1992-00-00
0.1 Kiki 2004-00-00
0.1 Claire 2008-00-00
0.1 Lolly 2010-00-00
0.1 Omma (Unknown x Jayei) 2011-00-00

Seneca Park Zoo - Rochester, New York, USA
0.1 Genny C 1977-00-00
0.1 Lilac 1978-00-00
0.1 Msichana 1982-00-00
0.1 Mokala 1982-00-00

North Carolina Zoo - Asheboro, North Carolina, USA
1.0 C’sar 1974-00-00
1.0 Artie 1983-00-00
0.1 Tonga 1978-00-00
0.1 Rafiki 1981-00-00
0.1 Nekhanda 1988-00-00
0.1 Batir (Willie x Tonga) 2002-01-21

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo - Cleveland, Ohio, USA
1.0 Willy 1978-00-00
0.1 Moshi 1976-00-00
0.1 Martika 1981-00-00
0.1 Kallie 1982-00-00
0.1 Shenga 1982-00-00

Toledo Zoo - Toledo, Ohio, USA
1.0 Lucas (Jackson x Renee) 2011-06-03
0.1 Renee 1979-00-00
0.1 Twiggy 1985-00-00

Wildlife Safari - Winston, Oregon, USA
1.0 George 1981-00-00
0.1 Tava 1978-00-00
0.1 Valerie 1982-00-00
0.1 Moja (Chico x Wankie) 1982-05-24

International Conservation Center - Fairhope, Pennsylvania, USA
1.0 Jackson 1976-00-00
0.1 Bette 1982-00-00
0.1 Thandi 1991-00-00
0.1 Sukiri 1993-00-00
0.1 Seeni 1993-00-00

Pittsburgh Zoo - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
1.0 Thabo Umasai (Tembo x Drumbo) 2006-02-04
0.1 Natasha 1976-00-00
0.1 Savannah 1983-00-00
0.1 Victoria (Jackson x Moja) 1999-09-12
0.1 Angelina (Jackson x Savannah) 2008-07-09
0.1 Zuri (Jackson x Moja) 2008-07-25

Roger Williams Zoo - Providence, Rhode Island, USA
0.1 Alice 1985-00-00
0.1 Ginny 1985-00-00
0.1 Kate 1985-00-00

Riverbanks Zoo - Columbia, South Carolina, USA
0.1 Robin 1970-00-00
0.1 Belle 1981-00-00

Knoxville Zoo - Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
1.0 Tonka 1979-00-00
0.1 Jana 1980-00-00
0.1 Edie 1983-00-00

Memphis Zoo - Memphis, Tennessee, USA
0.1 Tyranza 1965-00-00
0.1 Gina 1983-00-00
0.1 Asali (Macho x Juju) 1985-08-29

Dallas Zoo - Dallas, Texas, USA
1.0 Tendaji 2003-00-00
1.0 Ajabu (Unknown x Mlilo) 2016-05-14
0.1 Jenny 1976-00-00
0.1 Congo 1978-00-00
0.1 Kamba 1980-00-00
0.1 Gypsy 1982-00-00
0.1 Nolwazi 1994-00-00
0.1 Mlilo 2003-00-00
0.1 Zola 2003-00-00
0.1 Amahle (Unknown x Nolwazi) 2009-00-00

Caldwell Zoo - Tyler, Texas, USA
0.1 Rolinda 1972-00-00
0.1 Tonya 1977-00-00

Cameron Park Zoo - Waco, Texas, USA
0.1 Tembo 1977-00-00
0.1 Tanya 1979-00-00

Hogle Zoo - Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
0.1 Christi 1986-00-00
0.1 Zuri (Jackson x Christi) 2009-08-10

Milwaukee County Zoo - Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
0.1 Ruth (Rip x Tanya) 1981-11-02
0.1 Brittanie 1981-00-00


Parc Safari - Hemmingford, Québec, Canada
1.0 Junot 1983-00-00
0.1 Carole 1983-00-00

Serengeti Ranch - Acton, California, USA
0.1 Susie 1986-00-00
0.1 Baba 1991-00-00

Elephants of Africa Rescue Society - Salinas, California, USA
1.0 Butch 1981-00-00
0.1 Paula 1971-00-00
0.1 Christy 1971-00-00
0.1 Buffy 1982-00-00
0.1 Malaika 1987-00-00

Performing Animal Welfare Society - San Andreas, California, USA
0.1 Lulu 1966-00-00
0.1 Toka 1970-00-00
0.1 Mara 1980-00-00
0.1 Maggie 1980-00-00
0.1 Thika (Tantor x Tequila) 1980-10-18

Robert D Commerford - Goshen, Connecticut, USA
0.1 Karen 1981-00-00

Thomas Demry - Bell, Florida, USA
0.1 Anna Louise 1981-00-00

Franzen Brothers Circus - Bushnell, Florida, USA
0.1 Kosti 1982-00-00
0.1 Megu 1982-00-00

Circus Pages - Myakka City, Florida, USA
0.1 Daisy 1975-00-00
0.1 Bambi 1975-00-00

Jorge Barreda Circus - Sarasota, Florida, USA
0.1 Makia 1978-00-00
0.1 Lovey 1984-00-00
0.1 Lou 1985-00-00

Gary Landry - Franklin, Louisiana, USA
0.1 Jenny 1985-00-00

Ivory Haven Farm - Fremont, Michigan, USA
0.1 Laura 1982-00-00

Grant’s Farm - St Louis, Missouri, USA
1.0 Toby 1980-00-00
1.0 Maximus (Willie x Lil Felix) 2003-03-16
0.1 Mickey 1984-00-00

Six Flags Great Adventure - Jackson, New Jersey, USA
0.1 Tanya 1969-00-00
0.1 Lucy 1971-00-00
0.1 Barbara 1971-00-00
0.1 Gloria 1971-00-00
0.1 Debbie 1971-00-00
0.1 Sheila 1972-00-00
0.1 Joyce 1983-00-00

Double M Ranch - Hastings, New York, USA
0.1 Reba 1983-00-00

Myrtle Beach Safari - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA
0.1 Bubbles 1983-00-00

Elephant Sanctuary - Hohenwald, Tennessee, USA
0.1 Tange 1975-00-00
0.1 Flora 1982-00-00
0.1 Nosey 1982-00-00
0.1 Sukari 1984-00-00

Trunks & Humps - Conroe, Texas, USA
0.1 Page 1974-00-00
0.1 Chris 1984-00-00
0.1 Jean 1985-00-00

Natural Bridge Zoo - Natural Bridge, Virginia, USA
0.1 Asha 1982-00-00

Hopefully this thread will enable others to learn about the North American African elephant population, to report any changes or inaccuracies about the information posted, and to develop a detailed record of African elephants in North America.
 
Last edited:
1.0 Thabo Umasai passed away between June and August of 2017 at the Pittsburgh Zoo.

natel12 said:
[Thabo Umasai] died sometime between June and August. [The information was obtained] from loxodonta and the [Pittsburgh Zoo].
Click to expand...

The North American population now consists of 204 (39.165) African elephants.
 
Proven: Sdudla (Lowry), Mabulhane (San Diego), Ali (Jax), Bulwagi (Birmingham), Mac (DAK)
Potential: Calle (Birmingham), Louie (Omaha), Ajhani (Wichita), Kedar (Indy), Moose (Fresno)
All other males are too young or haven't produced any
 
loxodonta said:
Proven: Sdudla (Lowry), Mabulhane (San Diego), Ali (Jax), Bulwagi (Birmingham), Mac (DAK)
Potential: Calle (Birmingham), Louie (Omaha), Ajhani (Wichita), Kedar (Indy), Moose (Fresno)
All other males are too young or haven't produced any
Click to expand...
Ajani isn’t in Wichita. Also Tendaji(Dallas) and Tamani(Kansas City) are of age.
 
Ajani and Callee should theoretically be breeding age. I wonder what the plan is long term. If they become key breeders then the young bulls at Reid Park or maybe older males soon to be retired end up in Birmingham.
 
I think Mabhulane should be retire because he is very over represented.
 
Tuffy, Vus Musi, Jack, and Thabo Usami have been the ones that come up most often in casual conversation with the Elephant keepers.
 
Wyman said:
Which elephants could hypothetically move to Philadelphia in the off chance they decide to bring them back?
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Hypothetically, the Philadelphia Zoo could acquire a breeding bull and a breeding cow, along with her matriarchal herd members if she has related family, under the circumstance that a suitable habitat is constructed. As I see it, zoos must face that reality that the only way to have a sustainable captive population of elephants is to develop and grow matriarchal herds. That means zoos must construct large and strong habitats to accommodate a large matriarchal herd and a breeding bull.
 
tschandler71 said:
I'm curious who we are going to get, now that it is just Callee and Bulwagi.
Click to expand...

Since the African elephant population in North America only consists of 35 male potential breeding candidates, it would be best to transfer Callee and Bulwagi to separate institutions where each can breed naturally and contribute to the population. Because of this, the Birmingham Zoo will be without elephants for which there are two solutions (both based on a bachelor herd dynamic):

Solution 1: Acquire bulls between the ages of 8 and 15 to maintain the younger bachelor herd which enables the bulls to interact with others of the same age and gender. The younger males from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park would be primary candidates but the transfer of potentially 5 to 6 elephants would be a complicated endeavor and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has the ability to accommodate a young bachelor herd.

Solution 2: Acquire bulls that have demonstrated an inability or lack of reproducing naturally which will enable zoos participating in the breeding program to obtain bulls capable of breeding while providing a place for non breeding males. Bulls such as C’sar, Willy, Toby, Artie, and Tuffy would be primary candidates as they have shown a lack of reproduction and are around the same age frame.

Ultimately, the Birmingham Zoo should acquire bulls that have demonstrated a lack of reproduction as that will enable other zoos to acquire reproductively active bulls and enable the Birmingham Zoo to maintain a bachelor herd of African elephants.
 
I was under the impression that Bulwagi is the elder male permanent resident to emulate wild bull herd Dynamics. And Callee (through Jackson) is over represented.

Tuffy, Thabo Usami (before his death) and the young bulls at San Diego have been mentioned most in conversations with others on here and at the zoo.
 
With all this talk about Brookfield Zoo potentially phasing in elephants sometime within the future, what would be a likely grouping of elephants to move to the zoo?
 
EsserWarrior said:
With all this talk about Brookfield Zoo potentially phasing in elephants sometime within the future, what would be a likely grouping of elephants to move to the zoo?
Click to expand...
A bachelor herd may be a good idea. Such as San Diego Zoo Safari Parks boys. (Ingadze, Lutsundvo, eMacembe, Emanti, and Inhlonipho)
 
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