Australasian Asian Elephant Population 2022

[Jambo]

Personally, I agree with the idea and would prefer this over many other of the solutions presented but I can't see it happening.

I get the feeling that Taronga (not TWPZ) has slowly over the last few years become deeply ashamed of their elephants. To the point, they barely post about them on social media nor report any news on them. This is very strange for a species that many would consider their biggest drawcard. Sydney Zoo opening has really put Taronga between a rock and a hard place and ultimately I think they will bite the bullet and commit to permanently moving all their elephants to TWPZ.

Even though I think moving a young bull either Pathi Harn or preferably Sabai (or both if there is space) to Taronga as a replacement for their cows would be a good move. The public is still uneducated and could perceive it as 'abusive' as in the layman's eyes all elephants (including bulls) live in big herds. This exchange also doesn't fix the small amount of space in both of Taronga's exhibits, the main driver of public complaints, and when Werribee opens it will make Taronga's minimal space look even worse by comparison.

Bulls were behind the reason of Taronga sending half of their herd to Dubbo initially so i'm not really sure they'd go back and receive some again. The only way their complex could be used in the future would be for retirement cows, and Permai and Burma fit the most.

Taronga currently have just two females, and both spend a lot of time apart. During my last three visits i've only ever seen one female out on the main exhibit at a time, with the other usually down in the lower enclosure. Tang Mo thrived in the larger herd, with the calves, so it would great to get her in such situation again soon.

 

[Zoofan15]

I would've thought that if Taronga wanted to send Pak Boon and Tang Mo to Dubbo, they would've done so already. It might be possible they're awaiting the completion of Werribee's complex before sending them there.

Like you've said, Dubbo dosen't have the space for the cows they have at the moment. Sending Pak Boon to Werribee will provide Werribee with three founder cows (Dokkoon, Num Oi and Pak Boon) whilst leaving Dubbo with three too (Thong Dee, Porntip and Anjalee).

Pak Boon is a dominant female, and if she is sent to Werribee I can probably see her taking over as matriarch which might be a good thing as Melbourne lacks an assertive matriarch which will be useful once the herd grows in numbers over the years.

I’d say it’s likely they wanted to allow Anjalee time to assimilate into the herd before making decisions re. Pak Boon and Tang Mo.

Dubbo were happy to take on an additional breeding cow, but had Anjalee not successfully integrated into their herd, Plan B could have been to transfer Anjalee to Melbourne/Werribee. This would have freed up Dubbo to receive Pak Boon and Tang Mo, who despite their time apart would hopefully reintegrate successfully with Porntip and Thong Dee.

Given the logistics and lack of space at Melbourne, I’m sure everyone is thankful Anjalee has settled so well into Dubbo’s herd.

 

[Zorro]

I’d say it’s likely they wanted to allow Anjalee time to assimilate into the herd before making decisions re. Pak Boon and Tang Mo.

Dubbo were happy to take on an additional breeding cow, but had Anjalee not successfully integrated into their herd, Plan B could have been to transfer Anjalee to Melbourne/Werribee. This would have freed up Dubbo to receive Pak Boon and Tang Mo, who despite their time apart would hopefully reintegrate successfully with Porntip and Thong Dee.

Given the logistics and lack of space at Melbourne, I’m sure everyone is thankful Anjalee has settled so well into Dubbo’s herd.

I don't follow every move that Taronga makes with its herd but I seem to get the idea they have lost their way compared to Melbournes herd?

 

[Zoofan15]

I don't follow every move that Taronga makes with its herd but I seem to get the idea they have lost their way compared to Melbournes herd?

Honestly, it’s all swings and roundabouts.

At the start of 2020, many of us were wondering where Melbourne Zoo were heading. They had one cow that hadn’t bred in ten years, another that hasn’t bred in eight years and there had been no calves born for four years. Since then they’ve received a bull and bred from the three viable cows (we’ve since learnt Kulab is non viable hence the lengthy delay in breeding from her again).

Taronga have been consistent. The bred one cohort of calves in 2009-2010 and a second cohort in 2016-2018. They’ve been more consistent in breeding, but have also had large birth intervals of up to eight years. The arrival of Anjalee means they will soon be breeding from her (and likely one or both of their other cows).

 

[ZCChip]

A question for those who may be more familiar with Australia zoos.

is Steve Irwin’s zoo, the Australia Zoo, cooperative with others in the terms of conservation and breeding recommendations or they just are riding the coattails of the fame of the Irwin family?

For what it is worth I really don’t watch the tv show.

 

[Zoofan15]

A question for those who may be more familiar with Australia zoos.

is Steve Irwin’s zoo, the Australia Zoo, cooperative with others in the terms of conservation and breeding recommendations or they just are riding the coattails of the fame of the Irwin family?

For what it is worth I really don’t watch the tv show.

Australia Zoo participate in regional breeding programmes e.g. Sumatran tiger and Nepalese red panda; but with regards to their elephants, they’re operating independently (in practice).

Australia Zoo hold the only Sumatran elephants in the region and they’ve stated an intention to import Sumatran elephant bulls from Indonesia to mate with their cows.

I say by practice, because Australia Zoo did briefly consider taking on Burma from Auckland Zoo and if they’re unable to import Sumatran bulls, I suspect a deal will be made with another Australian facility to either loan their bull or undertake AI.

 

[ZCChip]

Australia Zoo participate in regional breeding programmes e.g. Sumatran tiger and Nepalese red panda; but with regards to their elephants, they’re operating independently (in practice).

Australia Zoo hold the only Sumatran elephants in the region and they’ve stated an intention to import Sumatran elephant bulls from Indonesia to mate with their cows.

I say by practice, because Australia Zoo did briefly consider taking on Burma from Auckland Zoo and if they’re unable to import Sumatran bulls, I suspect a deal will be made with another Australian facility to either loan their bull or undertake AI.

Thank you. I was wondering how the cooperation was.

 

[Zoofan15]

Thank you. I was wondering how the cooperation was.

You're welcome. A few of us are doubtful they will import Sumatran bulls, in which case they will have to hybridise their cows with non-Sumatran bulls if they wish to breed.

Although my preference would be to see a purebred Sumatran herd, the region doesn't manage the Asian elephant at the subspecies level.

In any case, their youngest cow is eight years old, so they still have time before decisions around breeding have to be made. Recent advice is that they intend to breed with the two youngest cows only - especially given Megawati's health issues.

0.1 Megawati (1999)
0.1 Widya (2001)
0.1 Christina (2010)
0.1 Raflesia (2014)

 

[Swanson02]

A question for those who may be more familiar with Australia zoos.

is Steve Irwin’s zoo, the Australia Zoo, cooperative with others in the terms of conservation and breeding recommendations or they just are riding the coattails of the fame of the Irwin family?

For what it is worth I really don’t watch the tv show.

You're welcome. A few of us are doubtful they will import Sumatran bulls, in which case they will have to hybridise their cows with non-Sumatran bulls if they wish to breed.

Although my preference would be to see a purebred Sumatran herd, the region doesn't manage the Asian elephant at the subspecies level.

In any case, their youngest cow is eight years old, so they still have time before decisions around breeding have to be made. Recent advice is that they intend to breed with the two youngest cows only - especially given Megawati's health issues.

0.1 Megawati (1999)
0.1 Widya (2001)
0.1 Christina (2010)
0.1 Raflesia (2014)

As some know I visited Australia Zoo in January, I thought I might just add a bit to what I found out then as I didn't have as good of grasp of Australasia's elephant situation as i do now.

I chatted with two elephant keepers one on duty for a short while before he had to leave to go do work, and the other off duty. The off duty keeper I talked to was visiting with his family on his day off as he recently had moved from a zoo in the UK where he had also worked with elephants (I should have asked where, all I know is his accent was Northern).

Anyway the main vibe I got from him was that Australia Zoo was very relaxed (too much imo) on their whole situation. I think importing the elephants and renovating the exhibit was the equivalent to their Everest and now they reached the 'summit' they felt entitled to a deserved rest which I understand to an extent.

I asked him on Australia's Zoos plans regarding importing a Sumatran bull. I was told it would now just be one (they used to have plans for 2 I believe?) and from the sounds of it they haven't even earmarked one yet. He stated that covid had delayed all their plans for a bull, but imo from how relaxed he was I don't think Australia Zoo had even started looking or planning an exhibit prior to covid. The ETA he gave for a potential bull import was 2-5 years but he was really reluctant on putting a number on it and even admitted it could take a 'decade'. I think Australia Zoo just loves free contact too much as they can bring their elephants right up to the fence for visitors. When I visited the four times I walked by their exhibit there was always a couple of keepers in with the elephants, which I found a little disappointing. I could see importing an adult bull would really throw a spanner into their current routine.

He was also very adamant that Australia Zoo would be managing them at a subspecies level. I didn't ask about AI but I believe the distances between Java and the Sunshine coast might be a bit too extreme for a semen import. So AI with a Sumatran bull at say Taman Safari might be out of the question. I also have a theory that part of the deal with Taman Safari was to not hybridise their elephants. Australia Zoo might go back on this though as they aren't known for their trustworthiness.

When I also asked him about breeding in relation to the progressing ages of Megawati and Widya he wasn't too phased. Saying that they will not be attempting to breed at all from Megawati (in hindsight that's due to her TB) and that with Widya it was likely a no as well (maybe there is a reason here too?). He was confident that they could found a program around just Christina and Raflesia. I hope a fertility assessment has/will be done on these two as many zoos (i.e. Perth) have imported two cows they assumed they could breed from and neither worked out and even then fertility assessments sometimes are wrong (Tang Mo).

Lastly I also found out that Raflesia was half sisters (through her father) with one of the two cows on exhibit. He was referring to one of them as "she's actually half-sisters with raf (nickname) through their dad" but I forgot to dot down which cow it was on my notes after. I lean towards Christina and Raflesia being the half-sisters as they are closer in age then Raflesia and Widya. This isn't that big an issue anyway, as Australia Zoo are now only importing one bull, their calves will likely be half siblings anyway, or more like 5/8 siblings?

He also did mention Burma when I visited and in hindsight I should have known something was up back then. As when I asked about which of Aust Zoo's cows Burma would gel best with he said "She seems like a nice elephant but I don't know we'll see" a not very confident response imo. Especially when she was expected to arrive in under 6 months.

Apologies in advance again for my ramblings

 

[Zoofan15]

As some know I visited Australia Zoo in January, I thought I might just add a bit to what I found out then as I didn't have as good of grasp of Australasia's elephant situation as i do now.

I chatted with two elephant keepers one on duty for a short while before he had to leave to go do work, and the other off duty. The off duty keeper I talked to was visiting with his family on his day off as he recently had moved from a zoo in the UK where he had also worked with elephants (I should have asked where, all I know is his accent was Northern).

Anyway the main vibe I got from him was that Australia Zoo was very relaxed (too much imo) on their whole situation. I think importing the elephants and renovating the exhibit was the equivalent to their Everest and now they reached the 'summit' they felt entitled to a deserved rest which I understand to an extent.

I asked him on Australia's Zoos plans regarding importing a Sumatran bull. I was told it would now just be one (they used to have plans for 2 I believe?) and from the sounds of it they haven't even earmarked one yet. He stated that covid had delayed all their plans for a bull, but imo from how relaxed he was I don't think Australia Zoo had even started looking or planning an exhibit prior to covid. The ETA he gave for a potential bull import was 2-5 years but he was really reluctant on putting a number on it and even admitted it could take a 'decade'. I think Australia Zoo just loves free contact too much as they can bring their elephants right up to the fence for visitors. When I visited the four times I walked by their exhibit there was always a couple of keepers in with the elephants, which I found a little disappointing. I could see importing an adult bull would really throw a spanner into their current routine.

He was also very adamant that Australia Zoo would be managing them at a subspecies level. I didn't ask about AI but I believe the distances between Java and the Sunshine coast might be a bit too extreme for a semen import. So AI with a Sumatran bull at say Taman Safari might be out of the question. I also have a theory that part of the deal with Taman Safari was to not hybridise their elephants. Australia Zoo might go back on this though as they aren't known for their trustworthiness.

When I also asked him about breeding in relation to the progressing ages of Megawati and Widya he wasn't too phased. Saying that they will not be attempting to breed at all from Megawati (in hindsight that's due to her TB) and that with Widya it was likely a no as well (maybe there is a reason here too?). He was confident that they could found a program around just Christina and Raflesia. I hope a fertility assessment has/will be done on these two as many zoos (i.e. Perth) have imported two cows they assumed they could breed from and neither worked out and even then fertility assessments sometimes are wrong (Tang Mo).

Lastly I also found out that Raflesia was half sisters (through her father) with one of the two cows on exhibit. He was referring to one of them as "she's actually half-sisters with raf (nickname) through their dad" but I forgot to dot down which cow it was on my notes after. I lean towards Christina and Raflesia being the half-sisters as they are closer in age then Raflesia and Widya. This isn't that big an issue anyway, as Australia Zoo are now only importing one bull, their calves will likely be half siblings anyway, or more like 5/8 siblings?

He also did mention Burma when I visited and in hindsight I should have known something was up back then. As when I asked about which of Aust Zoo's cows Burma would gel best with he said "She seems like a nice elephant but I don't know we'll see" a not very confident response imo. Especially when she was expected to arrive in under 6 months.

Apologies in advance again for my ramblings

That’s disappointing to hear they’re now only considering importing one Sumatran bull. The original plan was for two. Importing two bulls would better future proof the breeding programme for the next few decades as it’d provide a breeding option for the first generation cows (not just the founder cows).

The uncertainty around breeding from Widya is probably age based i.e. it’s uncertain/unlikely they can get a bull on-site before she’s 24 years old. With that in mind, it seems likely that the breeding programme will focus around the younger too.

In addition to the distance (a 10 hour flight), biosecurity restrictions would complicate AI with Taman Safari in Indonesia. Natural breeding via a bull on-site wouldn’t necessarily complicate their free-contact programme as the bull would need to be housed separately anyway.

Bull calves born at Australia Zoo may be desirable both within and outside the region as few zoos manage Asian elephants at the subspecies level and any calves bred would be genetically valuable (as the offspring of founders). That said, I don’t know what arrangement they have with Taman regarding offspring bred at the zoo (which could explain why they don’t want to hybridise). Press releases have described the elephants as “loaned” before.

 

[Zorro]

That’s disappointing to hear they’re now only considering importing one Sumatran bull. The original plan was for two. Importing two bulls would better future proof the breeding programme for the next few decades as it’d provide a breeding option for the first generation cows (not just the founder cows).

The uncertainty around breeding from Widya is probably age based i.e. it’s uncertain/unlikely they can get a bull on-site before she’s 24 years old. With that in mind, it seems likely that the breeding programme will focus around the younger too.

In addition to the distance (a 10 hour flight), biosecurity restrictions would complicate AI with Taman Safari in Indonesia. Natural breeding via a bull on-site wouldn’t necessarily complicate their free-contact programme as the bull would need to be housed separately anyway.

Bull calves born at Australia Zoo may be desirable both within and outside the region as few zoos manage Asian elephants at the subspecies level and any calves bred would be genetically valuable (as the offspring of founders). That said, I don’t know what arrangement they have with Taman regarding offspring bred at the zoo (which could explain why they don’t want to hybridise). Press releases have described the elephants as “loaned” before.

I would not take the term loaned to seriously
I hope they do import a bull but I would not be surprised if it never happened.

 

[Zoofan15]

I would not take the term loaned to seriously
I hope they do import a bull but I would not be surprised if it never happened.

I assumed at the time it may have been a throwaway comment, but not knowing the terms of acquiring them, it’s possible there was a clause that ownership of the elephants (and their descendants) will remain with Taman Safari. They would likely permit Australia Zoo to retain the cows (and their female descendants) long term/indefinitely, while giving them the assurance they could recall them if the zoo acted against their wishes in anyway. It would also give them first refusal on any elephants transferred out of Australia Zoo; or exported to another region.

Australia Zoo’s focus in clearly on free-contact interactions (at least for now), so it’s possible they will decide not to invest in the infrastructure and import costs of acquiring a bull. Elephants calves aren’t the novelty they were in the region a decade ago and it would be difficult to recoup the costs via the publicity of a calf.

 

[Swanson02]

In addition to the distance (a 10 hour flight), biosecurity restrictions would complicate AI with Taman Safari in Indonesia. Natural breeding via a bull on-site wouldn’t necessarily complicate their free-contact programme as the bull would need to be housed separately anyway.

I agree a bull wouldn't necessarily majorly interrupt their current free contact policy but all keepers would still have to vacate the enclosure when he is in musth or in with the cows. I think the larger consequence of a bull is the likelihood of him producing male calves and that introduces the possibility of a young Pathi Harn 2.0 occurring.

Bull calves born at Australia Zoo may be desirable both within and outside the region as few zoos manage Asian elephants at the subspecies level and any calves bred would be genetically valuable (as the offspring of founders). That said, I don’t know what arrangement they have with Taman regarding offspring bred at the zoo (which could explain why they don’t want to hybridise). Press releases have described the elephants as “loaned” before.

If the 4 cows are on loan thats preferable imo, as Taman would have an incentive to give Aust Zoo a loan bull and start breeding. That is assuming any calves to the cows belong to Taman too.

Another question, is it safe to say that it's rarer and rarer these days that western zoos get elephants directly out of Asia? (Compared to 20-30 years ago) I know when Taronga and Melbourne did their big import back in the 2000s there were major protests against the move back then and Auckland never got their second cow for the same reason.

I just worry that in say 20-30 years the captive Asian elephant population in the west (Australasia, US, Europe) will be virtually a closed system, and right now we don't have nowhere near the birthrate to sustain our current population (especially in the US).

African elephants are a different story as whole herds (set to be culled) still come out of Africa regularly so complete sustainability although definitely desirable isn't as totally necessary. I also hope in the future zoos don't use the lack of available Asian elephants as an excuse to convert over to Africans as they would be easier to acquire.

 

[Zoofan15]

Another question, is it safe to say that it's rarer and rarer these days that western zoos get elephants directly out of Asia? (Compared to 20-30 years ago) I know when Taronga and Melbourne did their big import back in the 2000s there were major protests against the move back then and Auckland never got their second cow for the same reason.

I just worry that in say 20-30 years the captive Asian elephant population in the west (Australasia, US, Europe) will be virtually a closed system, and right now we don't have nowhere near the birthrate to sustain our current population (especially in the US).

African elephants are a different story as whole herds (set to be culled) still come out of Africa regularly so complete sustainability although desirable isn't as totally necessary.
.

Exports out of Asia are 100% less common. Back in the 1980’s, European zoos received large numbers of elephants from Myanmar for example. While exports outside of Asia have occurred in recent years (namely the Thai import of 2006), regulations are more stringent. Case in point, Auckland Zoo were unable to source a second female from Sri Lanka.

Contributing to this pattern is the breeding success in captivity. The first surviving elephant calf in the UK wasn’t born until 1977. Now Europe is almost at capacity with a large surplus of elephants and calves regularly produced. The importance of maintaining matrilineal lines is also now recognised, which complicates transfers.

The consequence is that some lines in Europe and North America are becoming well represented. Australasia is fortunate to have so many founders, as well as a youthful population. This makes our captive bred bulls desirable for import by other regions and means we have a genetically viable population for the next few decades.

 

[Zoofan15]

I agree a bull wouldn't necessarily majorly interrupt their current free contact policy but all keepers would still have to vacate the enclosure when he is in musth or in with the cows. I think the larger consequence of a bull is the likelihood of him producing male calves and that introduces the possibility of a young Pathi Harn 2.0 occurring.

If the 4 cows are on loan thats preferable imo, as Taman would have an incentive to give Aust Zoo a loan bull and start breeding. That is assuming any calves to the cows belong to Taman too.

The introduction of the bull to the cows could be undertaken in the bull’s yard (or an introduction yard), but that’s a good point regarding the production of a bull calf. Before he’s transferred out/exported, they’ll have to rear him for the first decade or so and given he’d be housed with his mother for the first six years, that’s several years he’d be posing a potential risk to keepers. They may feel with safety protocols this is something which could be negated, but it’s a risk to consider nonetheless.

I would assume either the cows and any offspring bred would come under the loan agreement; or that the cows are the no longer owned by Taman Safari. Loaning the cows (founders) only could mean matrilineal lines would be potentially split if they were recalled; and I also believe a zoo would be more proactive in breeding (then what we’ve seen from Australia Zoo) if there was a chance to own captive bred offspring of cows that could be recalled (however unlikely).

 

[Swanson02]

Exports out of Asia are 100% less common. Back in the 1980’s, European zoos received large numbers of elephants from Myanmar for example. While exports outside of Asia have occurred in recent years (namely the Thai import of 2006), regulations are more stringent. Case in point, Auckland Zoo were unable to source a second female from Sri Lanka.

Contributing to this pattern is the breeding success in captivity. The first surviving elephant calf in the UK wasn’t born until 1977. Now Europe is almost at capacity with a large surplus of elephants and calves regularly produced. The importance of maintaining matrilineal lines is also now recognised, which complicates transfers.

The consequence is that some lines in Europe and North America are becoming well represented. Australasia is fortunate to have so many founders, as well as a youthful population. This makes our captive bred bulls desirable for import by other regions and means we have a genetically viable population for the next few decades.

wow 1977 is quite late, just shows you how far we have come in just 40 years. Hopefully, Europe can part with a few more unrelated matrilineal lines and send them over to the US. I would assume Sabai should be the next elephant to be sent overseas, maybe Taronga and Melbourne are waiting on the births and genders of the upcoming Melbourne cohort before planning anything. Three male calves would greatly reduce the little regional value Sabai already has.

The introduction of the bull to the cows could be undertaken in the bull’s yard (or an introduction yard), but that’s a good point regarding the production of a bull calf. Before he’s transferred out/exported, they’ll have to rear him for the first decade or so and given he’d be housed with his mother for the first six years, that’s several years he’d be posing a potential risk to keepers. They may feel with safety protocols this is something which could be negated, but it’s a risk to consider nonetheless.

I would assume either the cows and any offspring bred would come under the loan agreement; or that the cows are the no longer owned by Taman Safari. Loaning the cows (founders) only could mean matrilineal lines would be potentially split if they were recalled; and I also believe a zoo would be more proactive in breeding (then what we’ve seen from Australia Zoo) if there was a chance to own captive bred offspring of cows that could be recalled (however unlikely).

On that, prior to the Pathi Harn incident what were Taronga and Melbourne's actual plans for managing their male claves under free contact? How did they aim to manage them at say 10? Or was protected contact always planned with them and they had to introduce it earlier than expected?

 

[Zoofan15]

wow 1977 is quite late, just shows you how far we have come in just 40 years. Hopefully, Europe can part with a few more unrelated matrilineal lines and send them over to the US. I would assume Sabai should be the next elephant to be sent overseas, maybe Taronga and Melbourne are waiting on the births and genders of the upcoming Melbourne cohort before planning anything. Three male calves would greatly reduce the little regional value Sabai already has.

Reproduction technology has come a long way in that time with AI now an established tool for increasing the genetic diversity amongst the captive population as well as assisting zoos unable to undertake a natural breeding with their elephants. Dr Hildebrandt and his team have done amazing work and there’s no doubt Melbourne’s breeding programme wouldn’t have flourished like it did in the early 2010’s without the advent of AI.

North America have an ageing population, so the ideal solution to solve everyone’s problems would be for them to receive surplus females from Europe like you suggest; as well as our surplus bulls.

Sabai is an obvious candidate for export, as is Man Jai. Pathi Harn has successfully mounted cows and will surely prove successful in carrying on Bong Su’s patrilineal line. Man Jai’s maternal line is set to become very well represented with Dokkoon and Mali planned to produce several calves within Werribee’s herd.

Irregardless of what genders are produced in Melbourne’s next cohort, Man Jai will add little value to the regional breeding programme and would surely be better utilised overseas. Werribee could use the space to accomodate Putra Mas from Perth; as well as future planning (the accomodation of bulls from the upcoming and future births).

 

[Zoofan15]

Prior to the Pathi Harn incident what were Taronga and Melbourne's actual plans for managing their male claves under free contact? How did they aim to manage them at say 10? Or was protected contact always planned with them and they had to introduce it earlier than expected?

Although plans weren’t publicly stated, it’s reasonable to assume that they would have moved to protected contact by at least the age of eight years old. Keepers had contact with all five Thai imports (including Gung) when they arrived in 2006, but this ceased when Gung moved to his own bachelor pad in 2008.

The tension between Gung and the females peaked around this time, with the females clearly indicating their desire for him to leave the herd - a consequence of his adolescent hormones affecting his behaviour, which would have similarly endangered the safety of the keepers who worked with him.

Melbourne similarly managed Bong Su in protected contact, so would have used their best judgement to determine when working with Ongard and Man Jai no longer became a safe option. Ongard was exported at seven years old, so it’s possible they would have maintained free contact with him up until export had the rules not been changed.

 

[Jambo]

Some confirmations from talking to a Melbourne keeper today regarding the Werribee move:

The bulls (Luk Chai and Man Jai) will move first, likely in early 2024.

Depending on the upcoming calves, the move for the cows may be delayed to 2025 as all calves will have to be crate trained too, something some may learn quicker than others.

On the note of crate training; the cows are beginning their training.

Interestingly the keeper mentioned the plan is to allow natural dispersal to occur. The main enclosure will be about thirty acres large (although could be divided if needed) and the hope is for the bull calves to disperse naturally but still live in the same enclosure as the cows, but due to size will be able to coexist seperately. Over time they’ll have to be separated, but the keeper said it probably wouldn’t be until they reach their teenage years; and would be sent to other institutions.

 

[Zoofan15]

Interestingly the keeper mentioned the plan is to allow natural dispersal to occur. The main enclosure will be about thirty acres large (although could be divided if needed) and the hope is for the bull calves to disperse naturally but still live in the same enclosure as the cows, but due to size will be able to coexist seperately. Over time they’ll have to be separated, but the keeper said it probably wouldn’t be until they reach their teenage years; and would be sent to other institutions.

Even though the exhibit is large, I think they’re overestimating the capacity of the exhibit to function as a wild ecosystem given this is a species which can travel up to 80km in a day.

The bulls transitioning out of the natal herd will still be drawn to the natal herd beyond the stage when the adult cows are driving them away and then there’s contraception of cows to consider - Kulab who’s capable of conceiving, but who is unable to handle the birth process; cows they want to extend the birth interval by a year or two; and juvenile females of four or five years, who will begin cycling around this time. There’s also the potential for injury to young calves caught up in clashes from boisterous adolescent bulls.

As seen from the map, Werribee has the capacity to manage elephants across multiple paddocks. I have no doubt a fission-fusion transition as has been so successfully implemented at Dubbo is the way to go.