Australasian Asian Elephant Population 2022

[Jambo]

Once Anjalee has assimilated into the female herd, I believe the plan is for Thong Dee (and possibly Porntip) to conceive first (to model maternal behaviour); shortly before Anjalee conceives her calf.

Given Gung and Thong Dee’s line is well represented with two first generation bulls and three calves expected from Luk Chai in the next 12 months, I’d expect Pathi Harn to feature in the breeding plans - possibly being paired with Thong Dee.

Since Thong Dee's line is well represented I actually think they may look to breed Porntip instead first. Thong Dee could then breed with Anjalee next, possibly in 3-4 years.

I can see Pathi Harn being paired with both females, Thong Dee and Anjalee. This could allow for any female calves born to them to be later breed with Gung, which works better as it dosen't mean Western Plains has to move Gung on really anytime soon.

 

[Mr.Ivory]

Since Thong Dee's line is well represented I actually think they may look to breed Porntip instead first. Thong Dee could then breed with Anjalee next, possibly in 3-4 years.

I can see Pathi Harn being paired with both females, Thong Dee and Anjalee. This could allow for any female calves born to them to be later breed with Gung, which works better as it dosen't mean Western Plains has to move Gung on really anytime soon.

I agree it would make more sense to breed Pathi Harn with Thong Dee and Anjali, as they wouldn't have to move Gung until he sires his next female calf

 

[Zoofan15]

Amazing news! Keeping my finger crossed for calves in the future! For those upset that she will be breed with Indian Elephants, there have been studies done showing that the Sri Lankan elephant genetically the same as the Indian elephants causing it to no longer be a subspecies of the Asian elephant but rather a variation of the Indian elephant like the Malayan Elephant.

Very true. The Australasian region doesn’t otherwise distinguish between the subspecies. Most people who visited Auckland Zoo had no idea Burma and Anjalee were of different subspecies as they were both signed as Asian elephants.

I’ll admit I loved knowing I was seeing a Sri Lankan elephant however, given I’d only previously seen the Indian subspecies.

 

[Zoofan15]

Since Thong Dee's line is well represented I actually think they may look to breed Porntip instead first. Thong Dee could then breed with Anjalee next, possibly in 3-4 years.

I can see Pathi Harn being paired with both females, Thong Dee and Anjalee. This could allow for any female calves born to them to be later breed with Gung, which works better as it dosen't mean Western Plains has to move Gung on really anytime soon.

I agree it would make more sense to breed Pathi Harn with Thong Dee and Anjali, as they wouldn't have to move Gung until he sires his next female calf

I agree with breeding from Pathi Harn with the view of breeding female offspring to Gung down the line. Gung may be a founder, but he’s only 10 years older than Pathi Harn!

Porntip may well breed first. She’s the matriarch of the herd and a textbook mother (Thong Dee relies more on the herd’s support), so would be an excellent role model to both Anjalee and Kanlaya.

 

[Patrick Keegan]

A note that Anjalee is the first Sri Lankan elephant held in an Australian zoo! All three subspecies of Asian elephant are now held in Australian zoos.

According to some sources some of the elephants at Adelaide Zoo in the past were said to have been sourced from Sri Lanka. if this is to be believed then Anjalee is not the first of her kind to be housed in an Australian zoo. Though I'm not sure how many were housed before her.

 

[Zoofan15]

According to some sources some of the elephants at Adelaide Zoo in the past were said to have been sourced from Sri Lanka. if this is to be believed then Anjalee is not the first of her kind to be housed in an Australian zoo. Though I'm not sure how many were housed before her.

I’ve ran a search of elephants purchased by Adelaide Zoo from Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) and so far, have only come up with a cow named Miss Siam. She was noted to be wild born in Thailand, but shipped to Ceylon where she was then sent to Adelaide Zoo in 1904.

Ceylon (taken over through conquest by the British Empire) was a key trading place during this time, with many animal dealers exporting many species from Asia via its ports.

 

[Swanson02]

Great news for Anjalee, does the 30 days of quarantining mean that she must wait 30 days before being introduced to the rest of TWPZ's elephants? Or is it 30 days before she can be displayed publicly?

I agree with breeding from Pathi Harn with the view of breeding female offspring to Gung down the line. Gung may be a founder, but he’s only 10 years older than Pathi Harn!

I believe that Taronga definitely should at least consider using Pathi Harn for breeding with both Anjalee and Thong Dee before switching himself and Sabai for Pak Boon and Tang Mo in Sydney. Then they could use Gung with Porntip and Pak Boon on the second round of births. It would be very impressive seeing all 6 cows - Porntip, Kanlaya, Thong Dee, Anjalee, Pak Boon, and Tang Mon in a large functional herd with calves at TWPZ.

 

[Zoofan15]

Great news for Anjalee, does the 30 days of quarantining mean that she must wait 30 days before being introduced to the rest of TWPZ's elephants? Or is it 30 days before she can be displayed publicly?



I believe that Taronga definitely should at least consider using Pathi Harn for breeding with both Anjalee and Thong Dee before switching himself and Sabai for Pak Boon and Tang Mo in Sydney. Then they could use Gung with Porntip and Pak Boon on the second round of births. It would be very impressive seeing all 6 cows - Porntip, Kanlaya, Thong Dee, Anjalee, Pak Boon, and Tang Mon in a large functional herd with calves at TWPZ.

30 days until she can meet the other elephants. She may be visible in one of the other paddocks though.

That sounds like a good plan. I’d love to see the matriarchal herd reunited and it’d allow Taronga Zoo to retain elephants within an acceptable space and social situation (bachelor bulls). Gung and Pak Boon are sadly an unrepresented line following the deaths of their two calves, so it’d be nice to see Pak Boon breed again.

I’m predicting Kanlaya will enter the breeding programme around the age of 10. She’ll be breeding with Gung given she’s the half brother of Pathi Harn. By then, she’d have had the chance to observe the other cows giving birth.

 

[Jambo]

30 days until she can meet the other elephants. She may be visible in one of the other paddocks though.

That sounds like a good plan. I’d love to see the matriarchal herd reunited and it’d allow Taronga Zoo to retain elephants within an acceptable space and social situation (bachelor bulls). Gung and Pak Boon are sadly an unrepresented line following the deaths of their two calves, so it’d be nice to see Pak Boon breed again.

I’m predicting Kanlaya will enter the breeding programme around the age of 10. She’ll be breeding with Gung given she’s the half brother of Pathi Harn. By then, she’d have had the chance to observe the other cows giving birth.

The other elephants would be able to see her, smell her and even communicate with her though. I think its pretty beneficial to have those 30 days of quarantine as it slowly allows the new elephant to settle in, and the others to get to know it without any physical contact yet.

I'd imagine Taronga would be very keen to breed from Pak Boon as atm she is the most valuable female in the region. Being 30 too this year mean she dosen't necessarily have a lot of time left, and so breeding should commence with her asap. They can't afford to spend time slowly making decisions and allow her chances of having further offspring dwindle.

Ten sounds like a reasonable age for Kanlaya. By then, hopefully there will be no need to breed from her mother, Porntip again and Kanlaya can take over in her place. She's the only female offspring at both Taronga zoo's too so it'll be interesting to see how they do this. The plan with Tukta was to breed her for the first time around the time her mother would give birth again (following Jai Dee) which would've been around 2023/24 when she would've been 12-13, a perfect age to conceive for the first time.

 

[Zoofan15]

The other elephants would be able to see her, smell her and even communicate with her though. I think its pretty beneficial to have those 30 days of quarantine as it slowly allows the new elephant to settle in, and the others to get to know it without any physical contact yet.

I'd imagine Taronga would be very keen to breed from Pak Boon as atm she is the most valuable female in the region. Being 30 too this year mean she dosen't necessarily have a lot of time left, and so breeding should commence with her asap. They can't afford to spend time slowly making decisions and allow her chances of having further offspring dwindle.

Ten sounds like a reasonable age for Kanlaya. By then, hopefully there will be no need to breed from her mother, Porntip again and Kanlaya can take over in her place. She's the only female offspring at both Taronga zoo's too so it'll be interesting to see how they do this. The plan with Tukta was to breed her for the first time around the time her mother would give birth again (following Jai Dee) which would've been around 2023/24 when she would've been 12-13, a perfect age to conceive for the first time.

I think they’ll work towards a similar plan to what @Swanson02 has outlined. Pak Boon last gave birth 2017, so could afford to wait another three years before breeding again.

This would give Sabai chance to fully move out of the matriarchal herd before transferring to Taronga Zoo around the time the new calves are born to Thong Dee and Anjalee (sired by Pathi Harn).

Pak Boon and Tang Mo could rejoin the herd that year and Pak Boon could conceive alongside Porntip, giving birth around 2-3 years after the first cohort of calves. It would be beneficial to have the calves close, but not necessarily four in one hit. A two and two rotation in 2025 and 2027 would work best imo.

 

[Jambo]

I think they’ll work towards a similar plan to what @Swanson02 has outlined. Pak Boon last gave birth 2017, so could afford to wait another three years before breeding again.

This would give Sabai chance to fully move out of the matriarchal herd before transferring to Taronga Zoo around the time the new calves are born to Thong Dee and Anjalee (sired by Pathi Harn).

Pak Boon and Tang Mo could rejoin the herd that year and Pak Boon could conceive alongside Porntip, giving birth around 2-3 years after the first cohort of calves. It would be beneficial to have the calves close, but not necessarily four in one hit. A two and two rotation in 2025 and 2027 would work best imo.

Sabai is only five and there could another two to three years until he fully matures away from the matriarchal herd. This would be beneficial as it would tie in around the time the next set of calves are born to Thong Dee and Anjalee. A swap could then be made, and Pak Boon and Tang Mo will head to Dubbo where Pak Boon will be given the opportunity to breed with Gung and imo Porntip should be breed alongside her.

A rough plan is:

2024- Anjalee + Thong Dee (with Pathi Harn)
2026- Porntip + Pak Boon (with Gung)
2030- Anjalee + Kanlaya (with Gung)
2032- Porntip + Pak Boon (with Gung)

 

[Zoofan15]

Sabai is only five and there could another two to three years until he fully matures away from the matriarchal herd. This would be beneficial as it would tie in around the time the next set of calves are born to Thong Dee and Anjalee. A swap could then be made, and Pak Boon and Tang Mo will head to Dubbo where Pak Boon will be given the opportunity to breed with Gung and imo Porntip should be breed alongside her.

A rough plan is:

2024- Anjalee + Thong Dee (with Pathi Harn)
2026- Porntip + Pak Boon (with Gung)
2030- Anjalee + Kanlaya (with Gung)
2032- Porntip + Pak Boon (with Gung)

I think we can all agree this is the best plan.

It satisfies the priorities:

- Breed with Ajalee ASAP
- Breed with Thong Dee within eight years of last birth
- Breed with Porntip within eight years of last birth
- Expose Kanlaya to the birth and newborn process

And achieves some additional factors:

- Kanlaya observes her mother giving birth, rearing sibling
- Porntip hasn’t got a newborn when Kanlaya gives birth (can assist)
- Porntip and Pak Boon (close friends) breed on the same rotation

 

[Jambo]

Interestingly, I recently found out that Anjalee has some other captive relatives (outside of Sri Lanka):

Despite being the only offspring of her wildborn mother, Mayuri, she has five half siblings through her father (three half brothers and two sisters). One of the females, named Janita (2004) currently resides at the Prague Zoo where she has two offspring, a son, Maximilian (2016) and a daughter, Lakuna (2016). Her other half sister, Namali, currently lives at the Tokuyama Municipal Zoo in Japan.

 

[Zoofan15]

Interestingly, I recently found out that Anjalee has some other captive relatives (outside of Sri Lanka):

Despite being the only offspring of her wildborn mother, Mayuri, she has five half siblings through her father (three half brothers and two sisters). One of the females, named Janita (2004) currently resides at the Prague Zoo where she has two offspring, a son, Maximilian (2016) and a daughter, Lakuna (2016). Her other half sister, Namali, currently lives at the Tokuyama Municipal Zoo in Japan.

Thats interesting to know. The impact of these relatives on breeding recommendations within Australasia will be very minimal (bull calves from Anjalee would be less desirable as imports in Asia and Europe versus unrepresented lines); but it highlights how valuable cows like Num Oi and Pak Boon are - being both unrepresented founders in the region and unrepresented outside of Thailand; the same vis a vis the Sumatran cows at Australia Zoo.

It’ll be good to see Num Oi have another chance at motherhood in the near future; and Taronga will have plans to breed from Pak Boon again in time.

 

[Zoofan15]

Australasian Genetic Value of Reproductive Age Females

Group One (no relatives):

0.1 Megawati (19/07/1999) Sidarta x Umri; Imported 2019
0.1 Widya (00/00/2001) Unknown x Unknown; Imported 2019
0.1 Christina (00/00/2010) Unknown x Unknown; Imported 2019
0.1 Raflesia (00/11/2014) Unknown x Unknown; Imported 2019
0.1 Pak Boon (00/00/1992) Unknown x Unknown; Imported 2006
0.1 Anjalee (23/08/2006) Jayathu x Mayuri; Imported 2015

Group Two (one relative):

0.1 Porntip (00/00/1992); Imported 2006
0.1 Num-Oi (00/00/2001) Num Sek x Lampoon; Imported 2006

Group Three (multiple relatives):

0.1 Dokkoon (00/00/1993) Unknown x Unknown; Imported 2006
0.1 Mali (16/01/2010) Bong Su x Dokkoon
0.1 Thong Dee (00/00/1997); Imported 2006

Note: Unborn calves have been counted as a relative for the purpose of this assessment.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

I think we can all agree this is the best plan.

It satisfies the priorities:

- Breed with Ajalee ASAP
- Breed with Thong Dee within eight years of last birth
- Breed with Porntip within eight years of last birth
- Expose Kanlaya to the birth and newborn process

And achieves some additional factors:

- Kanlaya observes her mother giving birth, rearing sibling
- Porntip hasn’t got a newborn when Kanlaya gives birth (can assist)
- Porntip and Pak Boon (close friends) breed on the same rotation

What is the official breeding plan for the ZAA population?

 

[Zoofan15]

What is the official breeding plan for the ZAA population?

ZAA Asian Elephant Plan

What’s confirmed:

- Breed from Anjalee in the next 12 months
- Calves due 2022/2023 to Dokkoon, Num Oi and Mali
- Perth to phase out upon death of the elderly Tricia
- Auckland to phase out April 2022
- Melbourne to phase out 2024 approx
- Werribee to acquire herd from Melbourne

Long term:

Werribee plan to expand their herd into the 20’s throughout the next few decades to establish a multigenerational herd; while Australia Zoo have stated their intention to import purebred bull Sumatran elephants.

Dubbo will breed with Kanlaya when mature to establish a multigenerational herd.

Anything else is speculation:

It’s highly likely that breeding from Porntip at Dubbo and Pak Boon at Taronga will be a priority, especially given Pak Boon has no surviving offspring. Thong Dee also may breed again soon.

The cows at Taronga may rejoin the matriarchal herd at Dubbo, with Taronga either phasing out or acquiring the young bulls from Dubbo in a swap.

The likely destination of Perth’s elephants are Putra Mas to Werribee; and Permai to Australia Zoo.

Monarto may acquire this species. Most agree a bachelor facility would be useful.

 

[Zoofan15]

Article on Burma’s export, which is scheduled for April 27:

Pack your trunks: Auckland Zoo's mammoth task of moving elephant across the sea

Burma’s export will end the zoo’s almost 99 year association with elephants.

It’s been a real pleasure visiting Burma over the years and although I’m sad to see her go, I’m glad she will have a great retirement at Australia Zoo and am confident she’ll fit in well with their young herd.

Indian Elephant Profile - Burma

• Zoofan15
• 6 Jan 2022

Photo taken 04/01/2022.

 

[steveroberts]

@Zoofan15 Your post for her is really lovely bro, actually got me feeling a bit emotional reading it, but obviously just relieved its not the ultimate kind of farewell and that Burma is alive and well and awaiting a new chapter of her life across the Tasman in Beerwah, but the end of an era for Auckland that is a century basically of having Elephants is profound, and can imagine that Burma and Anjalee have a very special place in the hearts of their keepers and their visitors, they do seem like very beautiful Eles' both of them. So for Burma she will make the journey in a little over two weeks then. Wishing her the very best in her move and new life with the Sumatran herd.

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15 Your post for her is really lovely bro, actually got me feeling a bit emotional reading it, but obviously just relieved its not the ultimate kind of farewell and that Burma is alive and well and awaiting a new chapter of her life across the Tasman in Beerwah, but the end of an era for Auckland that is a century basically of having Elephants is profound, and can imagine that Burma and Anjalee have a very special place in the hearts of their keepers and their visitors, they do seem like very beautiful Eles' both of them. So for Burma she will make the journey in a little over two weeks then. Wishing her the very best in her move and new life with the Sumatran herd.

Thank you for your kind words @steveroberts. Burma has been one of the few constants at Auckland Zoo since I began visiting as a child in the 2000's.

Its been humbling to see the changes in her over the years. She was once the younger of the duo, leading Kashin on walks around the zoo - as Burma would get impatient with the pace the older elephant set. Burma was the young playful elephant in her prime and particular attention was taken to source a female with a similar nature to Burma.

In recent years, Burma has slowed down. She's less reluctant to engage in play and enter the pool; but often does so to accompany Anjalee, who wants her to join in. Burma will have a great life at Australia Zoo and I look forward to seeing her settled in her new home in years to come.

It will be strange not seeing elephants at Auckland Zoo. They're the zoo's main attraction and while I'll miss them, I feel fortunate to have memories of an Auckland Zoo with elephants, hippos, chimps and golden cats.