ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Whipsnade's Elephants 2022
- Thread starter Rajang-GOAT
- Start date
I said cows, not calves. I was referring to Karishma and Donna. In addition to these young females, they have two pre-reproductive females - Elizabeth and the new calf. Females have conceived as young as four years, but I refer to Elizabeth as pre-reproductive as I don’t believe ZSL will allow her to conceive until she’s eight years old (to give birth to her first calf at ten years).
Given Karishma is 24 years old, her reproductive years will overlap with both Elizabeth and the new calf - meaning a decade from now, ZSL could have four viable breeding cows in it’s herd.
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
I agree and have been thinking the same sort of thing, as well as a quicker rate of growth to their herd, Whipsnade also have a lot of potential for herd size, as I am under the impression that they have a lot of room for their Elephants, and could maybe even expand if needed.
Whipsnade definitely have the room to expand and it’s reasonable to expect they’d be willing to invest in facilities to accomodate a growing herd given the elephants are their main attraction.
With regards to breeding, it’s also import to recognise that bull calves will be difficult place if produced in large numbers. The devastation of EEHV in the 2000’s saw the cows breeding to natural birth intervals, but if there are no further incidences, we may see artificial birth intervals (of say six years) to prevent overpopulation.
I hear that’s the plan, although whether it’s got beyond that I don’t know. I’m aware that some
the (now ex) keepers were critical of some of the shortcomings of the new facilities, or that their recommendations weren’t taken on board.
Anyway, personally, I hope any further investment doesn’t become of detriment to the remainder of the zoo (even if aardvark and porcupine are nice enough!)
Been posted a calf was born
Yes, it’s been mentioned in this thread that Donna gave birth to a healthy female calf 22/08/2022 - great news for Whipsnade.
It’ll be interesting to see what they name the new calf. ZSL clearly favours ‘human’ names and there’s been two royal names to date - George and Elizabeth. Charlotte and Amelia are therefore obvious candidates imo.
While names reflecting the country of origin of a species are my preference, I can see how ‘human’ names make an individual more relatable to the public and since engagement is what they’re going for, I doubt they can go wrong with names that are also popular baby names of the era.
Amelia has consistently been in the top five girls names in recent years and would also be a tribute to Donna’s sister, Aneena (Emelia) - who was the zoo’s first EEHV victim.
Thankfully the calf being female there’s no chance of it being called Boris!
I agree, I do like geographic names. I always enjoyed the names of the Port Lympne elephants.
I agree, I do like geographic names. I always enjoyed the names of the Port Lympne elephants.
With the zoo now standing a reasonable chance of expanding the herd into the future with multiple breeding cows, it’d be nice if they named them with their mother’s initial to track matrilineal lines.
Considering they haven’t done it for the first generation cows (Donna and Elizabeth), it could be implemented for second generation calves e.g. Donna’s calves have D names, Elizabeth’s calves have E names; while Karishma’s next calf is named anything that isn’t a D or an E name.
They do seem to like royal names, Elizabeth was born in 2016 so was named after her majesty in her 90th year. Maybe Charlotte seen as its the jubilee year? Probably not but I wouldn't be surprised if they went with that.
Albeit I believe Donna(born 2009) was named after her older brother Donaldson who sadly died from EEHV in 2008ish
Correct! I remember the name being announced rather quickly as usually there would be a prolonged wait on naming the calves. Maybe its coincidence, but I did wonder at the time whether there was some appeasement towards the beneficiary who named Donaldson in naming Donna.
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
In the video of the calf being born, I have noticed there is only 4 adult females visible in the enclosure right with the calf, and on the right a fifth female is visible on the far right, seemingly separated from the rest of the herd by a wall/fence. Does anyone have an idea of which female this is (assuming it's not Ming Jung, and personally I'm thinking Lucha- for a few reasons), and why they may be separated?
Also happy birthday to Karishma today!
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Your probably right with it being Lucha as they would automatically have Donna mum Kaylee and then close would be another mum Karishma in communication with her daughter Elizabeth being the first birth she had witnessed explaining what is going on, as she will be breeding age soon enough
With an elephant in the herd already called Elizabeth, I think if I was making the decision, I would look ahead to the coming generation of the Royal Family and name the new calf Charlotte.
Very true, but I think a name like Lily would be a great tribute to the former monarch. The next female could easily be named Charlotte ect; but since the Queen meant so much to the world, and since this calf was born within a month of Elizabeth's death. It's a fitting decision imo.
Thanks. It looks like it went well. I assume the big cow is Kaylee who took the placenta off the calf?
Yes, Donna's mother and an invaluable source of expereince and support to her daughter.
