Elephantelephant
Well-Known Member
He was mating with Maharani several times, but unfortunately she still didn't get pregnant.
Smithsonian National Zoo Smithsonian National Zoo News 2021
- Thread starter red river hog
- Start date
They are still actively breeding them each time she cycles, it just hasn't had any success. But also I think the fact that his tusks are much thicker than when he was younger is the reason behind the lack of breakage. He still actively tosses toys such as the tire in the video around and hasn't broken them yet.
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God I wish they would just transfer out Spike already.
He's being absolutely wasted at the Smithsonian, with one of the LEAST genetically valuable cows in North America (through her full brother, Chanda, she has a total of 17 relatives in North America, with another 13 in Europe to boot), and she's not even getting pregnant!
I know there's been muttering of Smithsonian getting new cows, but seriously, where from? The entire Ringling group seems to be going to White Oak, and there aren't any other surplus cows in the US. Maybe Rockton? But even then, that will just put the Smithsonian back into the same predicament they have just recently solved regarding a cohesive herd, since who knows how well the ****** Calgary cows will do with strange new cows (especially if one of them is headstrong).
Even if they are getting new cows down the road, perhaps just send Spike out for a few years, until they actually arrive? St Louis has 3 young cows all ready to get pregnant, or do a bull swap with Columbus. Send fat boy Hank to the Smithsonian to shape up, and let Spike get the deed done with Phoebe and the Ringling sisters. That would probably be the easiest course of action, actually, the two zoos are only 7 hours apart!
He's being absolutely wasted at the Smithsonian, with one of the LEAST genetically valuable cows in North America (through her full brother, Chanda, she has a total of 17 relatives in North America, with another 13 in Europe to boot), and she's not even getting pregnant!
I know there's been muttering of Smithsonian getting new cows, but seriously, where from? The entire Ringling group seems to be going to White Oak, and there aren't any other surplus cows in the US. Maybe Rockton? But even then, that will just put the Smithsonian back into the same predicament they have just recently solved regarding a cohesive herd, since who knows how well the ****** Calgary cows will do with strange new cows (especially if one of them is headstrong).
Even if they are getting new cows down the road, perhaps just send Spike out for a few years, until they actually arrive? St Louis has 3 young cows all ready to get pregnant, or do a bull swap with Columbus. Send fat boy Hank to the Smithsonian to shape up, and let Spike get the deed done with Phoebe and the Ringling sisters. That would probably be the easiest course of action, actually, the two zoos are only 7 hours apart!
Maybe they are holding onto him as a drawcard?
Elephantelephant
Well-Known Member
I heard something about the fact that a 17-year-old cow Trong Nhi with her 7-year-old calf is going to leave Rotterdam for the USA. It could be Washington.
It could be. But at the same time, it could also be Cincinnati, or Tulsa, or Miami, or some other zoo totally out of left field!
Mai Thai
Well-Known Member
Yes he/she/them was just saying that because it was relevant. You do not have to say a snarky response to it. Also the AZA and SSP know what they are doing with Spike and there may be something they know the we don’t. I am not saying that you can not speak your opinion but just try to be polite and do your research before you start saying something shouldn’t be.
Oh I'm not being snarky to ElephantElephant (or TN and LN coming to the states at all) at all! Quite the opposite actually, I rather like them! (both the poster and the animals, haha).
Also not to be crass, but I strongly question a number of decisions the asian elephant SSP makes with transfers. (along with a LOT of individual institutions management decisions). I've done more research then you can imagine, and happen to be particularly well versed on the Calgary four. Spike was sent to the Smithsonian purely because it was an "easy" transfer in since they had lived together for so long before. Aside from Houston and Rockton, elephant breeding management in North America is questionable at best, and needs a major overhaul on both the institutional and SSP level. There's a reason our populations are doing so poorly, and it has absolutely nothing to do with a lack of founder animals.
Mai Thai
Well-Known Member
Hmm that is very interesting. Sorry if I was being rude. It just just hard interpret what people are saying if you are not physically seeing them.
Also, regarding Spike, Busch is quietly phasing out their elephants. And like @Hyak_II said he was a sure fit going to National.
He is also right in saying the asian elephant SSP has been a major let down. Cincy, Tulsa, Miami possibly San Diego could all be in the running for the Rotterdam girls
He is also right in saying the asian elephant SSP has been a major let down. Cincy, Tulsa, Miami possibly San Diego could all be in the running for the Rotterdam girls
I would say it's pretty unlikely that they would go to San Diego. Since Cincinatti, Tulsa, and Miami all have bulls it would make sense if they went there but San Diego only has geriatric females and it will probably stay that way since the exhibit was built to treat and care for geriatric elephants. However, they could also go to Dickerson Park since they have Indy and Hugo.
Mai Thai
Well-Known Member
I assume they will be going to Miami. Hopefully not San Diego or Tulsa. San Diego does not have a breeding bull and is only home to older elephants so no play mates for Nhi Linh. Tulsa Zoo’s elephant complex is pretty small and Snzeezy is pretty old to produce offspring. If they went to Miami they could breed with Ongard and give some company to Nelly. The only problem is the size of the habitat. Cincinnati would be amazing for Sabu and me but again the size at the moment, but let’s say wait for 2024 and Cincinnati would have a 7 acre habitat. And National Zoo would be hard because then they would have two herds thanks to the Calgary girls. But they do have enough space.
Overall the most likely will be:
Overall the most likely will be:
- Miami
- National
- Cincinnati(Switch depending on when they are leaving)
- Tulsa
- San Diego
Article about Washingtons new Komodo dragon :
Caring for Komodo Dragons, the World's Largest Lizards
Caring for Komodo Dragons, the World's Largest Lizards
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think its impossible for Sneezy to produce offspring. I'm pretty sure both Thailand and Rex are older than he is and are both still producing offspring. So long as he can get the deed don then its fair game. Also, I don't think the National Zoo would have a problem managing two herds, especially considering they did it fairly well up until they didn't have to anymore. They have also successfully managed to introduce Bozie with the Calgary girls and she's far from a submissive elephant so I feel they could easily do it again if need be. With the money they just spent combining the hippo yard into yard one, I'd bet quite a bit that TN and NH will more than likely end up here. Ultimately though, they are going to go to the facility in the best financial situation to take on new animals while either still in or coming out of a pandemic. And personally, I feel they fit the bill better than the rest.
Elephantelephant
Well-Known Member
They should leave as soon as possible. They already live separately from the group because they can't stand the others. Trong Nhi is a very dominant elephant like her mother Donna. I think it's most likely a Smithsonian. They are the only one who can hold two herds right now. Tulsa recently acquired Booper, Miami has older cow that could have problems with Trong Nhi's dominance, and Cinncinati is not done yet.
I rather hope it will be a zoo without any of these personality or space issues. When they go over to the US there should be a realistic chance of forming a breeding group with a proven or available bull. LA Zoo?
Nolie Thornell
Active Member
FONZ is being dissolved
https://fonz.org/about/about-fonz.p...m=redirect&utm_source=fonz.org&utm_term=index
https://fonz.org/about/about-fonz.p...m=redirect&utm_source=fonz.org&utm_term=index
LA slipped my mind and arguably the best situation out of the already named facilities