Memphis Zoo More African Elephants On The Way!

With 25, the new addition is past the age in which a nulliparous female elephant has a realisttic chance to give birth to a healthy calf, sadly. Pregnancies of mothers age 25+ usually end in stillbirths.
 
Very few, while most nulliparous females in this age had stillbirths and some even ended up dead. We can try to compile a list if you`re really interested.
 
I know in Toronto there was much debate over whether or not to breed our (then) 24/25 year old elephant. On the one hand, there is significant risk involved. On the other, it has been proposed that not permitting an animal to experience the full range of natural activities (including reproduction) could have animal welfare implications. (FYI, the decision was made not to breed at Toronto)

Is it better to stagnate (with a single animal) or to take a risk (knowing you could end up with zero or two)?
 
Double or Nothing

Are there any pictures of Memphis's Elephant cage.
 
Yes go to the Memphis Zoo gallery, and I would not at all a cage. I have never heard of that anymore where the outdoor exhibit is a cage.

@Yassa: There have been plenty of successful elephant births with a 25 year old elephant, and even older than that. If they don't breed elephants in captivity elephants would have a much greater possibility of going extinct, therefore captive breeding programs are great.
 
I kinda agree with Yassa. Remember he said nulliparous which means - has never given birth. A major theory on elephant reproduction is that if an elephant isn't breed after the age of 25, their hips won't be able to handle a birth and the pregnancy will result in a stillbirth and could kill the mother and fetus. I don't how many nulliparous elephants have successfully given birth so I don't how outrageous (or not) the theory is.

But it's exciting that another zoo is renovating their elephant exhibit. I also hope they can produce a little one soon. A captive population is at stake.
 
I think that 25 is old for the first time, but for an elephant who has given birth before it is no problem. Some zoos breed their elephants into their 30's. I really don't think it is that big of a risk. In my opinion there have been enough successful births to prove it is not that risky.
 
What zoo breeds their elephants into their 40's and 50's?

Even in the wild, don't really breed into their 50's. They generally live to be about 60 for Africans and up to 70 for Asians when their last set of teeth wear out so I don't really think a 50 year old elephant will be having babies when it only has a few more years to live.
 
I believe that Ramat Gan, Israel is still breeding, or intends to, Warda (b. 1958)...her last calf was in 2006. And African Lion Safari (Rockton, Ontario) still breeds Kitty (b. 1962)...her last calf was also in 2006. Im sure there are others, but these are the ones I knew off the top of my head.
 
I thought ny now they would have built a completely new elephant habitat which is much better then this one.
 
At least the elephants in Memphis show more natural behaviors instead of rocking and standing around.
 
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