They also now (temporarily) will have a four-generation-herd (Pearl-Raja-Jade-Jet, the last three of which were all born at the zoo)!
Aww that's a massive tragedy
Especially since Rozie has had four calves, all of which have died. I can also say that this is undeniably the nail in the coffin for Albuquerque ever having the possibility of a four-generation-herd with their current herd.
Devastating news. Albuquerque needed this calf. I hope this prompts ABQ to move in a new bull who can fully utilize what likely little is left of Rozie's reproductive future, or at least reevaluate their current situation.
I agree. Whilst Albert is capable he isn't the bull they want siring another two or three calves with Rozie, hence why AI was used this time around too. Any other proven, valuable bull would be be better for this situation, especially considering the expense and non guarantee of AI.
Unless they've simply haven't been giving Albert the oppertunity to breed Rozie (which I find unlikely) it seems he hasn't even been successful in getting her pregnant for the better part of a decade. They desperately need a new bull onsite that can produce calves in short intervals (Not to mention, doesn't Albert still have TB? He can't breed her anyway if he's still positive). She could in theory be bred into her 40s assuming her reproductive condition is healthy. While she hasn't been consistently bred she has had four calves and would be a prime candidate considering her value and lack of daughters.
It's a bit difficult to measure whether he is still a viable bull, as you say he has no results to prove it since Daizy's birth back in 2009. When his brother was back on site, it's possible that only Samson was given the opportunity to breed with Rozie (both of them couldn't have been in with her at the same time). Perhaps he was preferred over Albert for some reason or another. Cows cycle over a period of a few days too, so it's also possible both bulls had the chance and Samson just prevailed, maybe having access to her first.
Albert would not need to be sent elsewhere. ABQ has the space to hold more than one bull at a time. 2-3 adult bulls specifically speaking. He also is not spending his time completely alone, he's been allowed to share a fence line with the girls.
Rozie's last calf was conceived in 2016, so unless some other circumstances such as miscarriages occured that we aren't aware of, Albert hadn't been able to conceive a calf with Rozie for over 5 years. Evidently something is going on, whether it be on his end or Rozie's.
Thank you for the correction, I was under the impression they only had two on display exhibits but thinking back they were able to hold Albert and Samson together as adult bulls for many years so I'd assume they have a sizeable amount of BOH facilities to accommodate this.
We don't even know if ABQ allowed Rozie to bred with Albert though during that time, so we can't say for sure!
This is true! I doubt we'll ever be able to say for sure. However it is certian now that Albert is not the bull they need considering his TB diagnosis, which hopefully points to them aiming to receive a new bull in the near future.
Respectfully, from a QOL and husbandry standpoint he’s not on his own because he still has tactile and visual access to the girls. I’m only pushing back so hard on this because ARA’s love to push the alone narrative even with tactile and visual access which is just as enriching as sharing the same space.
Glad to hear he may be soon in the clear! I was under the impression that TB was harder to treat in elephants, but I am more than happy that my impression was wrong. It would make infinitely more sense for ABQ to continue using Albert if he is indeed capable of breeding again soon. Despite his subpar genetic value, he has no offspring to his name and is a proven breeder. It wouldn't be a bad thing for them to obtain a second bull like Columbus however, just to maximize chances of calves.
I seem to remember hearing this too - it would have made sense as Jasmine was quickly approaching breeding age. Obviously with her passing it's now lessened the need for an additional bull but considering Albert's value I don't think it would hurt to still acquire another bull for the reasons we've previously stated.
Bohdi especially would be great considering his genetic value. The fact that Houston seems to be hanging onto Tucker seems to indicate to me they see him being retained in the meantime with the value as a mentor bull at the very least or even breeding (I know he was recommended to breed with Joy).
As of last year, both bulls were reccomended to move to different facilities, so unless plans have changed I don't think either would be going to Albuquerque. Tucker no longer has a breeding reccomendation with Joy afaik but they are retaining him for the time being.