Asian Elephants in Europe 2020

Elephantelephant

Elephantelephant

Well-Known Member
The year 2019 is over and I bring a summary of this year. Fewer calves were born compared to other years. The two calves in Pairi Daiza are the only live calves from 2019. Male calf died in Leipzig (the mother did not care for him, he had to drink artificial milk), after a difficult birth in Whipsnade a weak calf was born, which soon died.
Twelve elephants died. Most were older cows unsuitable for breeding. A great success was the rescue of three calves, which became ill with EEHV! Sanuk from Amsterdam has been rescued by blood transfusion, leading to a breakthrough in the treatment of calves suffering from EEHV! Zinda from Dublin and Indali in Chester were also saved.In 2018, for example, seven calves died from EEHV. There have also been many movements, the most important of which is probably the move of Emmet to Blackpool, Ming Jung to Whipsnade and Sam to Antwerp.

Births:
unkown- 12.1., female, Zoo Whipsnade, mother: Donna, father: Raja (AI), died 16.1.
Ben Long- 25.1., male, Zoo Leipzig, mother: Hoa, father: Naing Thein, died 30.9.
Malee- 26.2., female, Pairi Daiza, mother: Aye Chan May, father: Po Chin
Luna- 7.6., female, Pairi Daiza, mother: Farina, father: Po Chin

Deaths:
unkown- 16.1., female, Zoo Whipsnade, born 16.1. in Zoo Whipsnade
Kala- 4.2., female, Zoo Usti nad Labem, born 1985 in Vietnam
Iyoti- 16.2., female, Zoo Berlin, born 1975 in Asia
Rani- 23.2., female, Zoo Karlsruhe, born 1955 in Asia
Flavia- 1.3., female, Zoo Cordoba, born 1970 in Asia
Rekka- 25.4., female, Burgers zoo, born 1966 in Asia
Tamara- 3.6., female, Zoo Pistoia, born 1973 in Sri Lanka
Dina- 21.7., female, Mallorca Porte Christo, born 1974 in Asia
Babati- 1.9., female, Cirkus Americano Togni, born 1984 in Asia
Ben Long- 30.9., male, Zoo Leipzig, born 25.1. in Zoo Leipzig
Thura- 26.11., female, Zoo Leipzig, born 1974 in India
Thi Ha Phyu- 4.12., female, Zoo Kopenhagen, born 1980 in Myanmar

Transfers:
Upali- 28.2., from Dublin to Le Pal, male, born 14.11.1994
Mala- spring, from cirkus Krone to Sevilla, female, born 1965
Kamala and Mina- ?.7., from Cirkus Medrano to Jungle Park Camargue, females, both born 1966
Saba- 23.8., from Kolmarden to Burgers zoo, female, born 1968
Thi Ha Phyu (1980), Maha Kumari (2007), Jung Bul Kne (2017)- 12.9., from Zoo Köln to Zoo Kopenhagen, two females and young male
Burma (1984), Jumba (1973), Mosley (1968), Siam (1973)- 6.10., from Cirkus Americano Togni to Riyahd safari, females
Emmet- 25.10., from Whipsnade to Blackpool, male, born 10.7.1991
Ming Jung- 29.10., from Antwerp to Whipsnade, male, born 16.4.2007
Sam- 30.10., from Whipsnade to Antwerp, male, born 16.9.2014
Shanti- 8.11., from Szeged to Nikolaev, male, born 6.5.2008
Dinkar- 8.11., from Veszprém to Nikolaev, male, born 6.8.2010

Pregnant cows:
Rani- Zoo Leipzig, early 2020, father: Voi Nam
Shu Thu Zar- Zoo Köln, sommer 2020, father: Bindu
Tamara- Zoo Prague, 4.2020, father: Ankhor
Janita- Zoo Prague, 4.2020, father: Ankhor
Bua- Zoo Kolmarden, 4.2020, father: Tonsak
Temi- Tierpark Hellabrün, autumn 2020, father: Gajendra
Thong Tai- Zoo Amsterdam, 5.2020, father: Nikolai
Surin- Zoo Kopenhagen, autumn 2020, father: Chang
Indi- Zoo Zürich, 4.2020, father: Thai
Farha- Zoo Zürich, 4.2020, father: Thai
Omysha- Zoo Zürich, 4.2020, father: Thai
 
https://presse-augsburg.de/ein-scho...-eroeffnung-des-neuen-elefantenhauses/525166/
A new home for Burma and Targa was opened in Augsburg.

Olifant Kyan vertrekt - DierenPark Amersfoort
Kyan from Amersfoort moves to Veszprém, Hungary. There live males Nuka and Felix. Kewa with his descendants from Berlin is likely to move to Szeged.

Kyan's mother Indra is pregnant for the fifth time and will give birth in March.

Gute Nachricht des Tages: Erbschaft ermöglicht dem Zoo Osnabrück eine neue Elefantenanlage | hasepost.de
In Osnabrück they plan a new elephant house.
 
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The first of three calves in Zurich has been born last night: Indi gave birth to a little bull. Its her fourth offspring. Her daughters Chandra and Omysha are still in Zurich and live with her. There is a cute video of the new arrival on facebook.
 
Yassa said:
The first of three calves in Zurich has been born last night: Indi gave birth to a little bull. Its her fourth offspring. Her daughters Chandra and Omysha are still in Zurich and live with her. There is a cute video of the new arrival on facebook.
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Great news!:):):):):) Although I expected to give birth in two months. A great opportunity for Omysha to learn to care for the calf.
 
With the joy, of course there is also loss :( We can be happy though, knowing Maxi lived a long life, and contributed well to the both the European and Japanese elephant populations with his children, grandchildren, and great grabdchildren! He was truly one of the last great founder bulls of Europe.
 
Considering that Maxi used to perform with the Chipperfeild's circus,I think he lived a surprising long and healthy life. The only unfortunate thing about Maxi was the fact that he was a carrier of the Elephantopic Herpies Virus. Due to this virus I would say that about 60% of the calves sired by Maxi, as well as their offspring have tragically passed away prematurely. Even Maxi's non immediate family members have tragically been affected by this deadly worldwide disease.
 
The Hedgehog said:
Considering that Maxi used to perform with the Chipperfeild's circus,I think he lived a surprising long and healthy life. The only unfortunate thing about Maxi was the fact that he was a carrier of the Elephantopic Herpies Virus. Due to this virus I would say that about 60% of the calves sired by Maxi, as well as their offspring have tragically passed away prematurely. Even Maxi's non immediate family members have tragically been affected by this deadly worldwide disease.
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Your post about Maxi being a carrier of EEHV is misleading. ALL elephants are carrier of EEHV!!! That is normal, both in the wild and in captivity. Why some calves die by the disease while others stay asymptomatic and why some zoos (Chester...) have many more deaths then others is still not understood.

Regarding Zurich, it is pure speculation that the death of three of Maxis offspring had anything to do with Maxi. In contrary research indicates that the death of Aishu and Xian might be connected with the arrival of female Indi who has been identified as super spreader of EEHV.
 
Yassa said:
Your post about Maxi being a carrier of EEHV is misleading. ALL elephants are carrier of EEHV!!! That is normal, both in the wild and in captivity. Why some calves die by the disease while others stay asymptomatic and why some zoos (Chester...) have many more deaths then others is still not understood.

Regarding Zurich, it is pure speculation that the death of three of Maxis offspring had anything to do with Maxi. In contrary research indicates that the death of Aishu and Xian might be connected with the arrival of female Indi who has been identified as super spreader of EEHV.
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Yassa if this is the case ,why don't Zurch Zoo,and any other collections that can identify a extreme carrier of EEHV,take the drastic but lifesaving decision to euthanize the carrieer. In my opinion this idea would save the lives of any innocent elephant calves ( or adult Elephants)that could be susceptible to this devastating disease. Inturn this action would help conserve and protect this critically endangered species. I know that my suggestion could be controversial. in my opinion the loss of an Asian Elephant that carries EEHV such as the cow Indi from Zurich Zoo could be highly influential and worth while as it could stop this beautiful and critically endangered species from extinction.
 
The Hedgehog said:
Yassa if this is the case ,why don't Zurch Zoo,and any other collections that can identify a extreme carrier of EEHV,take the drastic but lifesaving decision to euthanize the carrieer. In my opinion this idea would save the lives of any innocent elephant calves ( or adult Elephants)that could be susceptible to this devastating disease. Inturn this action would help conserve and protect this critically endangered species. I know that my suggestion could be controversial. in my opinion the loss of an Asian Elephant that carries EEHV such as the cow Indi from Zurich Zoo could be highly influential and worth while as it could stop this beautiful and critically endangered species from extinction.
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I do not agree with this. No calf in EEHV has died in Zurich recently. Moreover, thanks to the Indi, they have a family group of elephants. (Indi, Chandra, Omysha, Umesh and Omysha's unborn calf) And if this step were to be taken, rather than spent, it would be better to move this elephant to the zoo for the older cows where there are no calves.
 
The Hedgehog said:
Yassa if this is the case ,why don't Zurch Zoo,and any other collections that can identify a extreme carrier of EEHV,take the drastic but lifesaving decision to euthanize the carrieer. In my opinion this idea would save the lives of any innocent elephant calves ( or adult Elephants)that could be susceptible to this devastating disease. Inturn this action would help conserve and protect this critically endangered species. I know that my suggestion could be controversial. in my opinion the loss of an Asian Elephant that carries EEHV such as the cow Indi from Zurich Zoo could be highly influential and worth while as it could stop this beautiful and critically endangered species from extinction.
Click to expand...

Excellent idea let's put down a healthy animal just because it's a carrier, very nice pr minefield you are suggesting one I am afraid the general public will not like or understand. Such a simple idea such a disaster if a zoo did it.
 
The Hedgehog said:
why don't Zurch Zoo,and any other collections that can identify a extreme carrier of EEHV,take the drastic but lifesaving decision to euthanize the carrieer. In my opinion this idea would save the lives of any innocent elephant calves ( or adult Elephants)that could be susceptible to this devastating disease.
Click to expand...

"Saving" the lives of any susceptible captive elephants by euthanising the entire captive population of elephants.... now *there* is an idea. A pretty terrible idea, mind you.
 
Elephantelephant said:
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=465345141015149
Htoo Yin Aye of Dierenrijk is expecting his seventh calf. Unfortunately I didn't read when. But it is very soon after her last - Jing in 2018.
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This is phenomenal news!!! I'm pleasantly surprised that Htoo Yin Aye is having another calf this soon after the birth of Jing in March 2018!

Even though Dierenrijk has yet to announce when Htoo Yin Aye is expecting, I believe she could be expecting in September 2021 based on the following information.

Sources:
Is Htoo Yin Aye pregnant? - Dierenrijk | Facebook
Htoo Yin Aye is pregnant! - Dierenrijk | Facebook
Wild Life at the Zoo Season 1 Episode 6 | YouTube (16:30 - 16:51 & 20:25 - 20:52)

An elephant pregnancy can be confirmed 12 weeks after the cow was bred or artificially inseminated, at the earliest. Since urine tests were conducted over several weeks and the most recent test was taken in the third week of February 2020 (9th - 15th), Htoo Yin Aye and Sibu, the zoo's breeding bull, must have bred in the fourth week of November 2019 (17th - 23rd). Thus, Htoo Yin Aye should be expecting in September 2021, at the latest, after a 22 month gestation. However, Htoo Yin Aye could be expecting sooner if she conceived prior to the date I speculated. Regardless of when Htoo Yin Aye is expecting, I'm elated that another calf will be born at Dierenrijk!

One question still remains: Why has 21 year old Ma Palai yet to have a calf of her own? Sibu is a proven breeding bull, as evident by Jing and the expectant calf, Ma Palai is of prime breeding age, and Htoo Yin Aye is expecting her second calf at Dierenrijk but no calves from Ma Palai. Is Ma Palai a behavioural non-breeder or is there some other reason she has yet to reproduce?
 
Elephant Enthusiast said:
This is phenomenal news!!! I'm pleasantly surprised that Htoo Yin Aye is having another calf this soon after the birth of Jing in March 2018!

Even though Dierenrijk has yet to announce when Htoo Yin Aye is expecting, I believe she could be expecting in September 2021 based on the following information.

Sources:
Is Htoo Yin Aye pregnant? - Dierenrijk | Facebook
Htoo Yin Aye is pregnant! - Dierenrijk | Facebook
Wild Life at the Zoo Season 1 Episode 6 | YouTube (16:30 - 16:51 & 20:25 - 20:52)

An elephant pregnancy can be confirmed 12 weeks after the cow was bred or artificially inseminated, at the earliest. Since urine tests were conducted over several weeks and the most recent test was taken in the third week of February 2020 (9th - 15th), Htoo Yin Aye and Sibu, the zoo's breeding bull, must have bred in the fourth week of November 2019 (17th - 23rd). Thus, Htoo Yin Aye should be expecting in September 2021, at the latest, after a 22 month gestation. However, Htoo Yin Aye could be expecting sooner if she conceived prior to the date I speculated. Regardless of when Htoo Yin Aye is expecting, I'm elated that another calf will be born at Dierenrijk!

One question still remains: Why has 21 year old Ma Palai yet to have a calf of her own? Sibu is a proven breeding bull, as evident by Jing and the expectant calf, Ma Palai is of prime breeding age, and Htoo Yin Aye is expecting her second calf at Dierenrijk but no calves from Ma Palai. Is Ma Palai a behavioural non-breeder or is there some other reason she has yet to reproduce?
Click to expand...
I also wonder why Ma Palai is not pregnant yet. It's really a shame. I think they should do AI. Or maybe she may be barren or afraid of a bull (like Chandra in Zurich).
 
Elephant Enthusiast said:
One question still remains: Why has 21 year old Ma Palai yet to have a calf of her own? Sibu is a proven breeding bull, as evident by Jing and the expectant calf, Ma Palai is of prime breeding age, and Htoo Yin Aye is expecting her second calf at Dierenrijk but no calves from Ma Palai. Is Ma Palai a behavioural non-breeder or is there some other reason she has yet to reproduce?
Click to expand...

Most likely she is a flat liner, or has some other hormonal/anatomical issue that prevents her from getting pregnant. I suppose there is a very small chance its behavioral and she won't let the bull breed her, but considering she grew up at Emmen, surrounded with a large number of same age conspecifics of both genders, plus many mature cows and and two different experienced breeding bulls, I would say the chances of that are very unlikely.
 
Also in other news, 2020/2012 are both shaping up to be absolutely excellent years for the European Asian Elephant population. We should be expecting a minimum of 14 births this years alone, as the following cows are all pregnant or have recently calved:

Bull Calf to Voi Nam and Rani at Leipzig (Jan 11th)
Bull Calf to Thai and Indi at Zurich (Feb 5th)
Sundara at Chester due anytime (sire Aung Bo)
Indra at Amersfoort due March (sire Maurice)
Bua at Kolmarden due April (sire Tonsak)
Farah at Zurich due April (sire Thai)
Tamara at Prague due April (sire Ankhor)
Janita at Prague due April (sire Ankhor)
Thong Tai at Artis due May (sire Nikolai)
Shu Thu Zar at Koln due summer (sire Bindu)
Temi at Munich due fall (sire Gajendra)
Surin at Copenhagen due fall (sire Chang)
Omysha at Zurich due September (sire Thai)
Kina at Amersfoort due September (sire Maurice)

I have my suspicions about a few more cows as well based off of pictures and timelines, but nothing to prove these at the moment.

And in addition, for 2021, we already know there will be a calf for Htoo Yin Aye, but also very likely a calf or two or three from Rotterdam, as Timber was in with the family group during summer of 2019, and was seen mating with both Bangka and Trong Nhi multiple times, and Faya is at a perfect age for a first calf via AI.
 
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