Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
Knew I was probably forgetting one!
North American Asian and African Elephant Populations: Discussion and Speculation
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The Fresno Chaffee Zoo had an elephant born last week! Looks like Nolwazi gave birth to a male calf early morning on 8/16. This was one sired by Mabu.
Baby elephant born for the first time in Fresno Chaffee Zoo history
Baby elephant born for the first time in Fresno Chaffee Zoo history
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
This has already been reported on the population threads! This is more of a general discussion thread, so news isn't typically posted here
Ah I mixed up the threadsThis has already been reported on the population threads! This is more of a general discussion thread, so news isn't typically posted here
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
Out of curiosity, is there any possibility of the US ever receiving Asian Elephants imports from Asia? Not necessarily wild-born individuals, but I know Australia had imports not terribly long ago, could the US follow in those footsteps rather than relying on Europe for more cows?
I think that would be difficult. It’s already very hard to import chickens from there such as the ayam cemani. Greenfire farms in Florida had to find an alternative route to import those birds. And we are talking about a 4-5 ton animal.
I wonder if the African elephants can be brought into USA from Africa and Asian elephants can not be brought into USA from Asia. Both are covered by CITES. And in Asia, there are way more captive elephants than in Africa. Why the difference?
Europe also has imported certain elephants from Asia in the past and apparently they did not have much issue.
Perhaps it’s the USA that has certain restrictions?
Europe also has imported certain elephants from Asia in the past and apparently they did not have much issue.
Perhaps it’s the USA that has certain restrictions?
That is a very valid question. In Europe, we have the Balai Directive for this.
I guess the import regulations and veterinary / testing guidelines in Europe may be less governed by the over imposition the industrialised livestock industry brings down on us (even though I do put it that it aint optimal and really that the livestock industry everywhere needs to be reigned in to what they can demand from other interests including sound nature conservation and environmental management, where the livestock industry and agricultural interests remain the biggest polluters and encroachers on our fallow and greenfields.
Further, most zoonosis, if not all, globally come to bear down on us by our own default and by design where the livestock industry and big agricultuur are actually creating favorable optimal conditions for these to flourish. In many cases, the originator is humankind's Wholesale destructive impacts upon our environment and the livestock industry itself plays a big part in that globally.
To deal with any zoonosis more effectively it would be more than advisable to stick by the stringent standards which accredited zoos and captive-breeding facilities uphold and so be more enabling in import/export for exotic wildlife and plantlife and ex situ conservation breeding / growing both for the accredited zoo and botanical community and responsible keepers of exotic fauna and flora (birds, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, fish, flowering plants, trees et cetera).
USA certainly can if they wished. I don't believe there any restrictions barring them from doing so, but they'd obviously need a suffice reason to justify the import taking place, of which I don't see being the case at the present time with the current population.
Australia acquired most of their founding individuals from elephant refugees over there, and New Zealand last acquired a cow directly from Sri Lanka nine years ago so Asia certainly have the stock and are willing to export.
Wisp O' Mist
Well-Known Member
Have we already forgotten the absolute fit that animal rights groups threw over the previous importation from Africa? You know, the importation that took place back in 2016?
Plus, you know, this: Import of live African elephants and hunting trophies restricted in the US
I haven’t forgotten and they had a fit over australia’s import of the Asians as well. It didn’t make sense because Asia is struggling with the burden of banning logging and the welfare of captive elephants.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
I would hope the US would be open to Asian imports.
This whole thought process is mostly in regards to the fact that up to three US facilities will likely be wanting to receive new cow groupings within the next 5-10 years. (Tulsa, San Antonio and LA). A demand that the current population can't fill. The only facilities that potentially could split their herds are Houston and ALS, and the latter I am extremely doubtful will be willing to give up cows easily. Europe also isn't eager to give up cows.
Importing from Asia would be a win-win, new cows AND valuable new genetics.
Please NOTE Sri Lanka: The last 1-2 Sri Lankan elephant that were supposed to come to New Zealand soon ran into the ground on baseless arguments over perceived ill animal welfare .... (where that question is more valid locally than in an ex situ non-range country with a conservation breeding and husbandry outreach,
So, for importing elephants from Asia, what about animals from captive situations in Asia, especially those in less than ideal situations?
I know many elephants in Thailand and India are in poor welfare so taking in at least 1 or two bonded groups would be a win for everyone and they're not wild caught animals so much less yelling from people
I know many elephants in Thailand and India are in poor welfare so taking in at least 1 or two bonded groups would be a win for everyone and they're not wild caught animals so much less yelling from people
Thays
that’s what this subject is about. Problem is people there can capture a wild elephant, especially a young one, and falsify papers. Sometimes the documentation is not correct.
that’s what this subject is about. Problem is people there can capture a wild elephant, especially a young one, and falsify papers. Sometimes the documentation is not correct.
The “owner” has to be willing to send an elephant to the US.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
That's the primary issue that might make the US cautious to import. From a publicity standpoint especially, ARA's would (and have had in the past with the African imports) a field day. Plus a general guest hearing the words "asian elephant imported from asia" can easily come across meaning "wild caught" and carry a negative connotation. All the same though, both Europe and Australia have had relatively recent Asian imports, and there are semi-reputable facilities (where at least bloodlines can be tracked to an extent) in Asia they could bring animals in from.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/08/30/pregnant-elephants-columbus-zoo/
Just posting this here, as I hadn't seen the details/comments stated in this article in other releases. This article quotes the elephant manager explicitly stating that Rudy at Columbus Zoo is not currently pregnant. I would obviously take this with a grain of salt, but it is probably the most confirmation I've seen on the subject from officials thus far.
Just posting this here, as I hadn't seen the details/comments stated in this article in other releases. This article quotes the elephant manager explicitly stating that Rudy at Columbus Zoo is not currently pregnant. I would obviously take this with a grain of salt, but it is probably the most confirmation I've seen on the subject from officials thus far.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
While certianly very possible due to her age, I would absolutely take this with a huge grain of salt.
Shortly before they announced Sunny and Phoebe's pregnancies a keeper said none of the girls were pregnant (which they certianly knew of the pregnancies at that time)!
I will add that if Rudy is pregnant, the zoo has every reason to keep it close to their chest. I can understand them being cautious to announce the first-time pregnancy of a 22 year old cow. She may very well be due late next year as well, but personally I find an early 2026 due date more likely. And I'd find it doubtful for Columbus to announce a pregnancy (Rudy's especially) so early.