Australasian Asian Elephant Population 2022

[Zoofan15]

Yep but interestingly i've only ever heard the keepers call him Man Jai, even during training sessions.

Well to be fair, it wouldn’t be very smart of them to use his barn name within earshot of the public. I’d assume either the name (Man Jai) is being used as incidental to the target behaviour requested i.e. he’s following a different command where the name is irrelevant; or that Bob is a nickname that serves no purpose. For the reasons I detailed above, barn names are largely redundant in a protected contact setting.

 

[Jambo]

Well to be fair, it wouldn’t be very smart of them to use his barn name within earshot of the public. I’d assume either the name (Man Jai) is being used as incidental to the target behaviour requested i.e. he’s following a different command where the name is irrelevant; or that Bob is a nickname that serves no purpose. For the reasons I detailed above, barn names are largely redundant in a protected contact setting.

They used it at the start when calling him over. So obviously he responds to 'Man Jai'. I think i've mentioned on here at one point one of my family members actually called Ongard over too using 'Ong-aa' and he actually came over.

I honestly think Bob may just have been used to help the public watching Mega Zoo easily identify him. Other than that, I don't see any point in him having a nickname the keepers would rarely use. It's possible Bob may have been a name for him from when he was younger, and some of the keepers back then have just hung onto it.

 

[Jambo]

Werribee's upcoming elephant complex:

I've done some research and discovered some interesting notes on their construction.

The plan is for two new Elephant barns, the Herd Barn and the Bull Barn for the Werribee Open Range Zoo. The Herd Barn is a 9m high building for female and calf elephants, a single storey operations area for keepers, and a detached utility shed. The Bull Barn is a similar building for adult male elephants

There's also an interesting pdf here on the whole plans/design:

Werribee Open Range Zoo Elephant Facility

 

[Swanson02]

I've never ever heard keepers call Man Jai 'Bob' for one...even when they're training him away from public talks ect; they've always called him Man Jai. Sometimes such names can be hard to remember by the public, so it's usually the other way around, with the more simple names being their public names and their actual heritage names being their barn names. During my last visit, at one point, they called all the cows into Luk Chai's paddock, and the keepers definitely used their 'public' names. Not sure whether the barn names have officially been given up, as, as you say, they're now managed under protective contact.

Chaba was actually Dokkoon's initial name in Thailand. She was rechristened Dokkoon when she arrived at Melbourne. The same was for Thong Dee I believe.

Keepers pronounced Ongard's name the correct way, so i'd imagine some would latch onto that. Although I myself mispronounced it for many years. His nickname was Ardy, which I believe Miami still use.

What was Thong Dee's initial name?
Is Gung's, house name 'Prawn'? I've seen it mentioned somewhere.
Pathi Harn, I'm pretty sure used to be referred to as 'Shuffles' or 'Mr.Shuffles' when he was young. Not sure if they still use this or just call him Pathi.

When I was at Australia Zoo Widya and Raflesia were referred to me by the keeper as 'Widy' and 'Raf' these could just be his nicknames though.

Some elephants with slightly more complex names I'm sure would have an alternate barn name or nickname. Porntip (for obvious reasons), Mek Kepah, and Pak Boon come to mind.

 

[Zoofan15]

What was Thong Dee's initial name?
Is Gung's, house name 'Prawn'? I've seen it mentioned somewhere.
Pathi Harn, I'm pretty sure used to be referred to as 'Shuffles' or 'Mr.Shuffles' when he was young. Not sure if they still use this or just call him Pathi.

When I was at Australia Zoo Widya and Raflesia were referred to me by the keeper as 'Widy' and 'Raf' these could just be his nicknames though.

Some elephants with slightly more complex names I'm sure would have an alternate barn name or nickname. Porntip (for obvious reasons), Mek Kepah, and Pak Boon come to mind.

I’ve never heard of Thong Dee having a prior name, but she was donated to the programme after being used by her owner as a street elephant to beg for money, so it’s likely she had a different name prior from them.

Gung’s name means prawn in Thai; and Mr Shuffles was a nickname given to Pathi Harn. Following his intensive birth, he was understandably hindered in mobility until he gained full strength.

The other elephants in Taronga’s herd were Porntip (twice blessed), Pak Boon (Morning Glory flower), Tang Mo (watermelon) and Thong Dee (golden).

 

[Jambo]

What was Thong Dee's initial name?
Is Gung's, house name 'Prawn'? I've seen it mentioned somewhere.
Pathi Harn, I'm pretty sure used to be referred to as 'Shuffles' or 'Mr.Shuffles' when he was young. Not sure if they still use this or just call him Pathi.

When I was at Australia Zoo Widya and Raflesia were referred to me by the keeper as 'Widy' and 'Raf' these could just be his nicknames though.

Some elephants with slightly more complex names I'm sure would have an alternate barn name or nickname. Porntip (for obvious reasons), Mek Kepah, and Pak Boon come to mind.

I'm not sure on Thong Dee's initial name; although the villagers she initially lived with definitely called her something different.

Gung's name means prawn in Thai. He was named that due to his noticeably small size, especially for a bull. Luk Chai's definitely inherited his father's short stature.

Mr Shuffles was Pathi Harn's nickname given to him by the media before he was initially named. Some keepers still call him Mr Shuffles years after his birth, but i'd assume the nicknames died out by now.

Shortening of their names have also been used. Mek Kapah is sometimes called Pah Pah.

I believe most (if not all) of the Thai elephants were renamed following their arrival into Australia. Many new appropriate names (such as Kulab, Thong Dee ect.) were chosen; but on the other hand, in the case of Tang Mo (watermelon), it seems they just kept her original name.

 

[Jambo]

Thong Dee (golden).

Her firstborn, Luk Chai means golden son too; I love that little link.

 

[Zoofan15]

Some elephants with slightly more complex names I'm sure would have an alternate barn name or nickname. Porntip (for obvious reasons), Mek Kepah, and Pak Boon come to mind.

Shortening of their names have also been used. Mek Kapah is sometimes called Pah Pah.

Two syllable names are preferable in animal training as they’re the easiest for an animal to learn, so Porntip and Pak Boon are perfect. Mek Kapah is three syllables, explaining why Pah Pah is sometimes used.

Of the 11 calves born in Australian zoos, 10 have been named two syllable names (Kanlaya is the only exception).

Let’s hope Paris Hilton doesn’t name Australia Zoo’s first elephant calf. The giraffe calf she named got clobbered with a seven syllable name.

 

[Swanson02]

Of the 11 calves born in Australian zoos, 10 have been named two syllable names (Kanlaya is the only exception).

Let’s hope Paris Hilton doesn’t name Australia Zoo’s first elephant calf. The giraffe calf she named got clobbered with a seven syllable name.

Kanlaya I assume would naturally be shortened by TWPZ to 'Laya'. Also, an interesting thing I thought about the other day is the fact that Kanlaya is the only elephant in Australasia who will likely never leave her birth location, at least until another female calf is born at TWPZ or Werribee.

Also hahahaha lets hope not.
What's the process with Melbourne naming these new calves too? Will it be a set of names voted on by the public?

Werribee's upcoming elephant complex:

I've done some research and discovered some interesting notes on their construction.

The plan is for two new Elephant barns, the Herd Barn and the Bull Barn for the Werribee Open Range Zoo. The Herd Barn is a 9m high building for female and calf elephants, a single storey operations area for keepers, and a detached utility shed. The Bull Barn is a similar building for adult male elephants

There's also an interesting pdf here on the whole plans/design:

Werribee Open Range Zoo Elephant Facility

That is quite a tall barn, we have seen quite a few designs for the Werribee exhibit other than these three (below) does anyone have/know of any more of the proposed designs? And which one is the final or most concurrent of the three?

 

[Zoofan15]

Kanlaya I assume would naturally be shortened by TWPZ to 'Laya'. Also, an interesting thing I thought about the other day is the fact that Kanlaya is the only elephant in Australasia who will likely never leave her birth location, at least until another female calf is born at TWPZ or Werribee.

Also hahahaha lets hope not.
What's the process with Melbourne naming these new calves too? Will it be a set of names voted on by the public?

Very true - though sadly due to their premature deaths, Tukta at Taronga and Num Oi’s calves at Melbourne achieved the same feat. It’s to know though that Kanlaya and any females calves born in the future will remain in their matriarchal herds for life - as they would in the wild.

Melbourne’s previous surviving calves were all named via public vote, so they’ll surely follow the same method this time around. Due to the high level of interest, they like to involve the public - but within the confines of pre-selected names.

 

[Jambo]

Kanlaya I assume would naturally be shortened by TWPZ to 'Laya'. Also, an interesting thing I thought about the other day is the fact that Kanlaya is the only elephant in Australasia who will likely never leave her birth location, at least until another female calf is born at TWPZ or Werribee.

Also hahahaha lets hope not.
What's the process with Melbourne naming these new calves too? Will it be a set of names voted on by the public?



That is quite a tall barn, we have seen quite a few designs for the Werribee exhibit other than these three (below) does anyone have/know of any more of the proposed designs? And which one is the final or most concurrent of the three?

View attachment 578486 View attachment 578488View attachment 578489

I'd imagine so. Or even Kayla. Kanlaya won't leave yes; especially as Putra Mas (her father) will likely be sent to Werribee. Mali would be the little exception as technically, she's remaining with her matriarchal herd (but is just shifting locations).

Melbourne's calves will likely be voted on by the public; with options given. Although the fact that there's three to be born within a week makes me think maybe one might be named by keepers, another by a donor or something and then the final by the public.

9 metres high is very tall, but will also include (I believe) raised walkways for keepers.

The third design seems to be the most accurate and newest to my knowledge.

 

[Zorro]

Two syllable names are preferable in animal training as they’re the easiest for an animal to learn, so Porntip and Pak Boon are perfect. Mek Kapah is three syllables, explaining why Pah Pah is sometimes used.

Of the 11 calves born in Australian zoos, 10 have been named two syllable names (Kanlaya is the only exception).

Let’s hope Paris Hilton doesn’t name Australia Zoo’s first elephant calf. The giraffe calf she named got clobbered with a seven syllable name.

I don't believe we will be seeing any elephant calfs at AZ for a long time if ever.

 

[Zoofan15]

I don't believe we will be seeing any elephant calfs at AZ for a long time if ever.

Sadly, I agree. Their youngest cows (who we understand the breeding programme will centre around) are aged 8 and 12, so they have a decade before they HAVE to make a decision.

The information that Europe etc. aren't hybridising Sumatrans was interesting as it all but rules out AI with an Australasian bull at the eleventh hour. The calf wpuld have no value to the breeding programme versus a purebred Sumtran bull calf, which could be exported.

 

[Zorro]

Sadly, I agree. Their youngest cows (who we understand the breeding programme will centre around) are aged 8 and 12, so they have a decade before they HAVE to make a decision.

The information that Europe etc. aren't hybridising Sumatrans was interesting as it all but rules out AI with an Australasian bull at the eleventh hour. The calf wpuld have no value to the breeding programme versus a purebred Sumtran bull calf, which could be exported.

If the 2 oldest cows were boarder line breeding age then importing a bull instead of a extra cow would of made more sense if breeding was the aim?

 

[Zoofan15]

If the 2 oldest cows were boarder line breeding age then importing a bull instead of a extra cow would of made more sense if breeding was the aim?

Very much so. The two elder cows will at best be a support to the younger breeding cows and help balance out the gender ratio of the matriachal herd.

That said, we won't see breeding on the scale we'll observe at Dubbo and Werribee. At best a calf or two from each of the younger females, and even then most are of the belief they're hold a non breeding herd.

 

[Zoofan15]

Werribee Construction Update

Construction is expected to be complete by 2024.

https://www.miragenews.com/new-elephant-trail-takes-form-at-werribee-zoo-870646/

Minister for the Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio today unveiled a prototype for perimeter fencing of the new Asian elephant habitat as part of the upgrade.

The five-kilometre perimeter fence will keep the new Asian elephant herd safe and secured and must be engineered to withstand the weight and force of a herd of adult Asian elephants. The fence is being built from repurposed construction materials that have been donated by government agencies.

The repurposed rail track from Level Crossing Removal Projectand elevator cable will be used to construct the perimeter fencing for the Elephant Trail and the Asian wild horse, American bison and Southern white rhinoceros’s facilities.

The repurposed timber will be used to construct animal enrichment structures, boardwalks and gates, and visitor amenities.

 

[Jambo]

Good to see construction going as planned.

The best plan going forward seems to be sending the boys (Luk Chai and Man Jai) in Autumn 2024, followed by the cows and calves in Winter 2024 and then potentially Putra Mas/Permai/Burma in Spring 2024.

With construction beginning now, it shouldn't take more than a year to be completed, so it'll probably be finished late next year, a few months before the elephants officially move in.

 

[tigris115]

So what are Melbourne and Taronga going to do with the elephant facilities at their city zoos? I assume rhinos will be the main substitute.

 

[Jambo]

So what are Melbourne and Taronga going to do with the elephant facilities at their city zoos? I assume rhinos will be the main substitute.

Taronga haven't confirmed they'll phase out their elephants, but it seems likely they will, eventually.

Indian Rhinos seem to be the best substitute for Melbourne. I talked to a keeper about this, and she speculated Indian Rhinos could possibly be a replacement, but considering Melbourne have three elephant enclosures, she also said it's likely the three enclosures may all be used for different species (eg. one for Indian Rhinos, another for Antelope, and the other serving as an extension to the Orangutan complex next door).

 

[Zorro]

Werribee Construction Update

Construction is expected to be complete by 2024.
https://www.miragenews.com/new-elephant-trail-takes-form-at-werribee-zoo-870646/

Minister for the Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio today unveiled a prototype for perimeter fencing of the new Asian elephant habitat as part of the upgrade.

The five-kilometre perimeter fence will keep the new Asian elephant herd safe and secured and must be engineered to withstand the weight and force of a herd of adult Asian elephants. The fence is being built from repurposed construction materials that have been donated by government agencies.

The repurposed rail track from Level Crossing Removal Projectand elevator cable will be used to construct the perimeter fencing for the Elephant Trail and the Asian wild horse, American bison and Southern white rhinoceros’s facilities.

The repurposed timber will be used to construct animal enrichment structures, boardwalks and gates, and visitor amenities.

I really like the fact that projects like this is going to create 350 new jobs and give Zoos Victoria a world class exhibit complex. I hope we can get content updates until its open.