North American Asian Elephant Population

Elephant Enthusiast said:
@EsserWarrior if you have the opportunity, could you ask the elephant staff at the Cincinnati Zoo the following questions:

Are attempts still being made to breed Jati and Sabu?
Is Jati post reproductive due to lack of reproduction?
Are there any plans to renovate the elephant facility?
Will the renovations include enlarging the outdoor enclosures and revamping the indoor space?
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I can answer all that now. It seems for the last couple of years the zoo has stopped breeding attempts between Sabu and Jati. There are plans, nothing set in stone and the word is only being spread by multiple employees. From what I've heard, it sounds like they are going to partially follow the idea of the master plan. Each exhibit will be expanded towards the entrance a little more. This includes Sabu's yard taking over the former okapi yard. The plan shows that guests will no longer be able to walk in between each habitat. It also displays the two yards bleeding into the Historic Vine Street Village, which I can tell you now, won't happen. The Elephant House will most likely be untouched.
 
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Elephant Enthusiast said:
Thank you Moebelle.

Since breeding has ceased between Jati and Sabu, is the Cincinnati Zoo hoping to acquire reproductively active females or perhaps relocate the current elephants to another institution and acquire new breeding elephants?

Based on the following pictures, which is more likely to be the renovation done to the elephant facility.

View attachment 344674View attachment 344675

Top: The personal rendering from Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden - Elephants future
Bottom: The rendering from A look at the Zoo's plans for expansion
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It was rumored that the zoo was going to obtain a female from the Ringling Bros like Columbus did (two females). Turns out it was true but eventually the plan fell through.

I guarantee that the top scenario will be the case. The zoo is not going to renovate their relatively new entrance village - which was constructed after the master plan was drawn up. If they were to cut off the path in the middle, then that would mean guests would no longer be able to view the females in the elephant house. They need that option, as the indoor elephant area is the most popular attraction during the Festival of Lights. Could guests enter from the top of the building? They used to before Sabu arrived (again) - that is specifically his area and it was designed to NOT have guest viewing.
 
Elephant Enthusiast said:
The Miami Zoo has welcomed a seven year old male Asian elephant named Ongard from the Melbourne Zoo in Australia.
Ongard arrives safely in sunny Miami | Zoos Victoria

The North American population now consists of 230 (48.182) Asian elephants.
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Why would Ongard be transferred to the Miami Zoo? Don’t get me wrong, I’m estatic to have him here. But Miami has no breeding age females. Of course Ongard still needs to mature, but why not send him to Saint Louis or Houston?
 
Jaxton said:
Why would Ongard be transferred to the Miami Zoo? Don’t get me wrong, I’m ecstatic to have him here. But Miami has no breeding age females.
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Zoo Miami welcomes 7-year-old endangered elephant bull from Australia

By way of a new breeding loan with San Diego Zoo Global, Zoo Miami was chosen to be his new home because of Zoo Miami's commitment to the care of elephants, the favorable South Florida climate, and the amount of land it is able to dedicate to providing a home for elephants.

Zoo Miami does not currently have any female Asian elephants of breeding age, but the zoo hopes to acquire some for Ongard to eventually breed with. In the meantime, his genetic material can be introduced into the North American population through artificial insemination.
 
I know right! Solo and Ren; are you kidding me. Zoofan15 was correct in saying that many of the elephants in North America have 'people names' as oppose to names which reflect their heritage.
 
I think Thorn isn`t much better then the other name options - terrible name for an elephant bull.

Regarding Ongard (which is a horrible name as well..) - Miami is wasting the potential of Dahlip, a genetically very important, fully mature and proven breeding bull, since decades. Same as San Diego with Ranchipur (and L.A. with Billy, Tulsa with Sneezy and Cinninatti with Sabu). I very much hope things will go better with Ongard, but I don`t have too much faith. He will be most likely used for AI, but given that zoos that rely on AI have far fewer calves (due to much longer calving intervals) then those how have natural breeding, that wouldn`t be a good solution.

Socially, it would be best for Ongard to have the company of other young bulls. Soo bad that Miami doesn`t have any.. or is there hope that they bring in more bulls? I hope they will at least let him socialize with Dahlip, otherwise he is going to die from boredom.
 
Elephant Enthusiast said:
I know right! Solo and Ren; are you kidding me. Zoofan15 was correct in saying that many of the elephants in North America have 'people names' as oppose to names which reflect their heritage.
Click to expand...

I personally enjoy the name "Thorn" as well. It's quite a fitting name for the other elephants at the facility too, it seems. The other two names seem odd for an elephant. Thorn isn't a complex name, but a simple name is quite enjoyable too. (Spike, as another example, is a basic yet nice name.)
 
The purpose of this comment is to update and reiterate the transfer and relocation of Asian elephants within North America to enable institutions to either develop a matriarchal herd, to provide other institutions with additional elephants, or to retire older elephants to specialized facilities or sanctuaries.

After reviewing the transfer recommendations, there are some recommendations that should be altered due to changes within the population or lack of probability. Because of these revisions, there are new or reiterated recommendations to transfer or relocate Asian elephants to other institutions. The accredited institutions will only be mentioned as the recommendations made for the non accredited institutions have remained the same.

African Lion Safari - Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
1.0 Rex 1968-00-00 (Oklahoma City Zoo)
1.0 Obert (Buke x Isa) 2003-08-20 (Endangered Ark Foundation)
0.1 Natasha (Tusko x Whimpy) 1994-02-27 (African Lion Safari)
0.1 Opal (Rex x Natasha) 2005-11-04 (African Lion Safari)
0.1 Nellie (Johnson x Natasha) 2013-08-02 (African Lion Safari)
0.1 Anna May (Johnson x Opal) 2015-05-04 (African Lion Safari)
0.1 Rose (Johnson x Natasha) 2016-02-28 (African Lion Safari)
0.1 Lilly (Motek x Warda) 1985-01-31 (African Lion Safari)
0.1 Phoebe (Motek x Warda) 1987-05-15 (Columbus Zoo)
0.1 Piccolina (Alexander x Lilly) 1994-12-11 (African Lion Safari)
0.1 Hannah (Johnson x Lilly) 2014-10-19 (African Lion Safari)
0.1 Emily (Rex x Kitty) 2006-04-23 (African Lion Safari)
0.1 Gigi (George x Emily) 2015-02-24 (African Lion Safari)
0.1 Jenny 1966-00-00 (African Lion Safari)
0.1 Maggie 1968-00-00 (African Lion Safari)

Phoenix Zoo - Phoenix, Arizona, USA
0.1 Indu 1965-00-00 (Phoenix Zoo)
0.1 Methai 1969-00-00 (Houston Zoo)
0.1 Reba 1970-00-00 (Phoenix Zoo)
0.1 Sheena 1971-00-00 (Phoenix Zoo)

Los Angeles Zoo - Los Angeles, California, USA
0.1 Jewel 1964-00-00 (Los Angeles Zoo)
0.1 Tina 1966-00-00 (Los Angeles Zoo)
0.1 Sujatha 1971-00-00 (Santa Barbara Zoo)
0.1 Little Mac 1971-00-00 (Santa Barbara Zoo)
0.1 My Thai 1973-00-00 (Cincinnati Zoo)
0.1 Mari 1975-07-24 (Honolulu Zoo)
0.1 Schottzie (Chieng Mai x Buag Hah) 1975-12-15 (Cincinnati Zoo)
0.1 Vaigai 1985-12-24 (Honolulu Zoo)
0.1 Jati 1987-00-00 (Cincinnati Zoo)

San Diego Zoo - San Diego, California, USA
0.1 Mary 1964-00-00 (San Diego Zoo)
0.1 Liz 1964-00-00 (Wildlife Safari)
0.1 Shaunzi 1970-00-00 (Los Angeles Zoo)
0.1 Sooky 1972-00-00 (Tulsa Zoo)
0.1 Connie 1973-00-00 (Columbus Zoo)
0.1 Patience 1974-00-00 (Dickerson Park Zoo)
0.1 Devi 1977-00-00 (San Diego Zoo)

Denver Zoo - Denver, Colorado, USA
1.0 Colonel (Buke x Whimpy) 1991-04-04 (Fort Worth Zoo)
1.0 Albert (Calvin x Lilly) 1998-11-29 (Albuquerque Zoo)
1.0 George (Calvin x Phoebe) 1999-10-21 (African Lion Safari)
1.0 Tucker (Tusko x Tess) 2005-05-12 (Houston Zoo)
1.0 Billy (Alexander x Yasmin) 2008-02-17 (Denver Zoo)
1.0 Chuck (Rex x Mali) 2008-07-15 (African Lion Safari)
1.0 Samudra (Tusko x Rose Tu) 2008-08-23 (Oregon Zoo)
1.0 Baylor (Thai x Shanti) 2010-05-04 (Houston Zoo)

Smithsonian National Zoo - Washington, D.C, USA
1.0 Spike (Dahlip x Seetna) 1981-07-02 (Smithsonian National Zoo)
0.1 Maharani (Bandara x Kamala) 1990-07-14 (Smithsonian National Zoo)
0.1 Kamala 1975-00-00 (Smithsonian National Zoo)
0.1 Swarna 1975-00-00 (Smithsonian National Zoo)
0.1 Ambika 1948-00-00 (Smithsonian National Zoo)
0.1 Shanthi 1976-00-00 (Smithsonian National Zoo)

Busch Gardens Tampa - Tampa, Florida, USA
0.1 Carina 1972-00-00 (Busch Gardens Tampa)
0.1 Karnaudi (Vance x Carina) 1990-04-13 (Busch Gardens Tampa)
0.1 Simba 1968-00-00 (Busch Gardens Tampa)
0.1 Tina 1969-00-00 (Busch Gardens Tampa)
0.1 Rosie 1970-00-00 (Busch Gardens Tampa)

Miami Zoo - Miami, Florida, USA
1.0 Dahlip 1966-08-06 (Miami Zoo)
0.1 Cora 1958-00-00 (Topeka Zoo)
0.1 Annette 1960-00-00 (Elephant Walk)
0.1 Sunda 1962-00-00 (Topeka Zoo)
0.1 Nelly 1969-00-00 (Miami Zoo)
0.1 Okha 1970-00-00 (Franzen Brothers Circus)

Audubon Zoo - New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
0.1 Panya 1964-00-00 (Audubon Zoo)
0.1 Punch 1970-00-00 (Louisville Zoo)
0.1 Jean 1972-00-00 (Audubon Zoo)

Saint Louis Zoo - St Louis, Missouri, USA
1.0 Raja (Onyx x Pearl) 1992-12-27 (Saint Louis Zoo)*
0.1 Rani (Indy x Ellie) 1996-07-05 (Saint Louis Zoo)
0.1 Jade (Raja x Rani) 2007-02-25 (Saint Louis Zoo)
0.1 Ellie 1971-00-00 (Saint Louis Zoo)
0.1 Maliha (Raja x Ellie) 2006-08-02 (Saint Louis Zoo)
0.1 Priya (Raja x Ellie) 2013-04-26 (Saint Louis Zoo)

Dickerson Park Zoo - Springfield, Missouri, USA
1.0 Raja (Onyx x Pearl) 1992-12-27 (Saint Louis Zoo)*
0.1 Kirina (Indy x Romani) 1995-06-20 (Rosamond Gifford Zoo)
0.1 Mali (Indy x Targa) 1997-02-28 (Rosamond Gifford Zoo)
0.1 Romani 1975-00-00 (Rosamond Gifford Zoo)
0.1 Targa (Vance x Birka) 1983-11-23 (Rosamond Gifford Zoo)
1.0 Batu (Doc x Mali) 2015-05-12 (Rosamond Gifford Zoo)
1.0 Indy 1972-00-00 (Dickerson Park Zoo)
0.1 Siri 1968-00-00 (Rosamond Gifford Zoo)

Albuquerque Zoo - Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
1.0 Sabu 1988-00-00 (Cincinnati Zoo)
0.1 Rozana (Ranchipur x Alice) 1992-11-08 (Albuquerque Zoo)
0.1 Alice 1974-00-00 (Albuquerque Zoo)
0.1 Jazmine (Samson x Rozana) 2013-10-02 (Albuquerque Zoo)
1.0 Thorn (Samson x Rozana) 2018-05-04 (Albuquerque Zoo)
0.1 Irene 1967-00-00 (Albuquerque Zoo)

Rosamond Gifford Zoo - Syracuse, New York, USA
1.0 Kandula (Calvin x Shanthi) 2001-11-25 (Oklahoma City Zoo)
0.1 Kelly Ann (Vance x Sally) 1996-01-01 (Center for Elephant Conservation)
0.1 Rudy (Charlie x Sally) 2002-01-29 (Columbus Zoo)
0.1 Sundara (Charlie x Sally) 2008-11-09 (Columbus Zoo)
0.1 Sally 1967-00-00 (Center for Elephant Conservation)
0.1 Angel (Vance x Sally) 1988-12-30 (Fort Worth Zoo)

Cincinnati Zoo - Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
1.0 Johnson (Calvin x Kitty) 2001-04-29 (African Lion Safari)
0.1 Asha (Charlie x Alana) 2002-03-05 (Center for Elephant Conservation)
0.1 April (Charlie x Alana) 2010-04-03 (Center for Elephant Conservation)
0.1 Alana 1975-00-00 (Center for Elephant Conservation)

Columbus Zoo - Powell, Ohio, USA
1.0 Samson (Calvin x Kitty) 1998-05-04 (Oregon Zoo)
0.1 Angelica (Charlie x Icky) 1997-06-23 (Center for Elephant Conservation)
0.1 Sara (Charlie x Icky) 2001-04-16 (Center for Elephant Conservation)
0.1 Icky 1976-00-00 (Center for Elephant Conservation)
0.1 Juliet (Pete x Icky) 1992-12-30 (Center for Elephant Conservation)

Oklahoma City Zoo - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
1.0 Sneezy 1971-00-00 (Tulsa Zoo)*
0.1 Asha (Onyx x Connie) 1995-02-02 (Oklahoma City Zoo)
0.1 Chandra (Onyx x Moola) 1996-07-02 (Oklahoma City Zoo)
0.1 Moola 1981-00-00 (Dickerson Park Zoo)
0.1 Achara (Rex x Asha) 2014-12-22 (Oklahoma City Zoo)

Tulsa Zoo - Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
1.0 Sneezy 1971-00-00 (Tulsa Zoo)*
0.1 Shanti (Onyx x Bozie) 1990-10-11 (Houston Zoo)
0.1 Bozie 1975-00-00 (Smithsonian National Zoo)
0.1 Joy (Thai x Shanti) 2017-07-12 (Houston Zoo)
1.0 Duncan (Thai x Shanti) 2014-02-07 (Houston Zoo)

Oregon Zoo - Portland, Oregon, USA
1.0 Billy 1985-00-00 (Los Angeles Zoo)
0.1 Rose Tu (Hugo x Me Tu) 1994-08-31 (Oregon Zoo)
0.1 Sung Surin (Packy x Pet) 1982-12-26 (Oregon Zoo)
0.1 Lily (Tusko x Rose Tu) 2012-11-30 (Oregon Zoo)
0.1 Chendra 1993-00-00 (Oregon Zoo)

Fort Worth Zoo - Fort Worth, Texas, USA
1.0 Groucho 1970-00-00 (Denver Zoo)
1.0 Bodhi (Coco x Phoebe) 2004-04-16 (Denver Zoo)
1.0 Beco (Coco x Phoebe) 2009-03-27 (Columbus Zoo)
0.1 Rasha 1971-00-00 (Fort Worth Zoo)
0.1 Bluebonnet (Groucho x Rasha) 1998-12-16 (Fort Worth Zoo)
0.1 Belle (Groucho x Rasha) 2013-07-07 (Fort Worth Zoo)
1.0 Bowie (Samson x Bluebonnet) 2013-08-05 (Fort Worth Zoo)

Houston Zoo - Houston, Texas, USA
1.0 Romeo (Pete x Alana) 1993-01-10 (Fort Worth Zoo)
1.0 Jake (Rex x Natasha) 2009-11-02 (African Lion Safari)
0.1 Bonnie (Vance x Sid) 1994-10-29 (Center for Elephant Conservation)
0.1 Shirley (Vance x Mala) 1995-02-19 (Center for Elephant Conservation)
0.1 Mable (Romeo x Shirley) 2004-04-06 (Center for Elephant Conservation)
0.1 Piper (Romeo x Shirley) 2012-08-13 (Center for Elephant Conservation)
1.0 Thai 1965-00-00 (Houston Zoo)
1.0 Ongard (Bong Su x Kulab) 2010-09-10 (Miami Zoo)
0.1 Tess 1983-00-00 (Houston Zoo
0.1 Tupelo (Thai x Tess) 2010-10-03 (Houston Zoo)

To reiterate, the transfer and relocation of Asian elephants within North America will enable the reproduction of Asian elephants to become successful, the retirement of older elephants to sanctuaries or institutions for specialized care, and the development of matriarchal and bachelor herds to promote naturalistic social structures.
 
The Buffalo Zoo has announced that 0.1 Jothi and 0.1 Surapa will be transferred to the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, Louisiana in the Fall of 2018.
The Buffalo Zoo Announces Elephants Relocating To Audubon Zoo

This is fantastic news as the move will provide Jothi and Surapa with new social opportunities and improved living conditions. The relocation of Jothi and Surapa demonstrates that the Buffalo Zoo is looking out for the best interest of their elephants. Compare this to other institutions who have intentions on keeping their elephants in substandard conditions until one or more pass away.
 
I'm glad too. Are Jothi and Surapa still able to breed? If so, where should they get the bull?
 
Yi Qi said:
I'm glad too. Are Jothi and Surapa still able to breed? If so, where should they get the bull?
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Jothi is 36, and Surapa is 35. Neither have ever reproduced. So IF they even did concieve, they most likely wouldn’t carry a pregnancy to term. The age cut off is 24. So the short answer is no.
 
Slight question. Is Chuck (1.0) still at African Lion Safari (Cambridge, Ontario, Canada)? I visited today, but I didn't see him.
 
TheWalrus said:
Slight question. Is Chuck (1.0) still at African Lion Safari (Cambridge, Ontario, Canada)? I visited today, but I didn't see him.
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He is indeed. ALS has been doing a lot of different social groupings this year, so you never know where you might find chuck and jake! However as a general rule, the two younger boys are generally on exhibit first thing in the morning, and moved off exhibit within a couple of hours of opening.
 
Hyak_II said:
He is indeed. ALS has been doing a lot of different social groupings this year, so you never know where you might find chuck and jake! However as a general rule, the two younger boys are generally on exhibit first thing in the morning, and moved off exhibit within a couple of hours of opening.
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