Australian Asian Elephant Population 2025

[Jambo]

Had Anjalee failed to conceive, I have no doubt they would have bred once more from Porntip - and am still surprised they’d didn’t elect to do so prior to Anjalee breeding. Clearly with the number of stalls, capacity really is an issue.

Had Porntip bred, it would have been an ideal opportunity for Kanlaya to have observed the birth and maternal care of a calf from a text-book mother. She has a close bond to Anjalee and while Anjalee’s maternal skills are unproven, it should hopefully be an enriching and educational experience for Kanlaya ahead of the birth of her own calf. The zoo currently plans for her to produce her first calf in 2032 (I too assume tying in with Anjalee producing her second calf).

That is a very good point on Kanlaya never having observed a birth - although I'd imagine Dubbo will allow her to this year with Anjalee's birth. It will also be the first time Dubbo's had a reasonable sized group (plus a calf). I'm looking forward towards seeing how Dubbo's elephant program progresses over the years.

At the present time it seems Dubbo's at capacity in their current cow barn, so a new barn couldn't come quicker. More cows mean they would have to be accommodated in a separate barn.

 

[Zoofan15]

That is a very good point on Kanlaya never having observed a birth - although I'd imagine Dubbo will allow her to this year with Anjalee's birth. It will also be the first time Dubbo's had a reasonable sized group (plus a calf). I'm looking forward towards seeing how Dubbo's elephant program progresses over the years.

At the present time it seems Dubbo's at capacity in their current cow barn, so a new barn couldn't come quicker. More cows mean they would have to be accommodated in a separate barn.

I’m really looking forward to seeing Kanlaya’s interactions with the calf. She’s at an ideal age to provide practical assistance, rather than being a hindrance as you might expect from a two or three year old calf. Sabai and Kanlaya’s age gap was hard work for all involved.

Dubbo currently has three barns:

Barn 1 (three stalls) was built in 1977 for the 1.4 young African elephants. It currently holds Gung, Pathi Harn and Sabai.

Barn 2 (two stalls) was built ahead of the arrival of the 1.1 African elephants in 1983 and is currently empty.

Barn 3 (three stalls) was built in 2014 and holds the matriarchal herd. Porntip and Kanlaya in one stall; Thong Dee in the second; and Anjalee in the third.

 

[Jambo]

I’m really looking forward to seeing Kanlaya’s interactions with the calf. She’s at an ideal age to provide practical assistance, rather than being a hindrance as you might expect from a two or three year old calf. Sabai and Kanlaya’s age gap was hard work for all involved.

Dubbo currently has three barns:

Barn 1 (three stalls) was built in 1977 for the 1.4 young African elephants. It currently holds Gung, Pathi Harn and Sabai.

Barn 2 (two stalls) was built ahead of the arrival of the 1.1 African elephants in 1983 and is currently empty.

Barn 3 (three stalls) was built in 2014 and holds the matriarchal herd. Porntip and Kanlaya in one stall; Thong Dee in the second; and Anjalee in the third.

It's interesting as I believe the 2014 barn was actually built with bulls in mind - three stalls, one each for Gung, Luk Chai, and Pathi Harn as was the initial plan.

Cuddles death in 2017 would have been timely, as it would have allowed Luk Chai and Pathi Harn to transition there, and Gung to arrive the following year. Keep in mind, barn two was occupied by Burma and Arna/Gigi up until Burma's passing in 2020.

I recall reading about Gung being accommodated in a separate space to the rest of the elephants (although I don't know whether that entails a separate barn too).

 

[Zoofan15]

It's interesting as I believe the 2014 barn was actually built with bulls in mind - three stalls, one each for Gung, Luk Chai, and Pathi Harn as was the initial plan.

Cuddles death in 2017 would have been timely, as it would have allowed Luk Chai and Pathi Harn to transition there, and Gung to arrive the following year. Keep in mind, barn two was occupied by Burma and Arna/Gigi up until Burma's passing in 2020.

I recall reading about Gung being accommodated in a separate space to the rest of the elephants (although I don't know whether that entails a separate barn too).

I believe all three bulls share the one barn, though as Gung enters his prime and has an annual musth cycle (as opposed to his erratic musth cycles he had throughout his late teens), they might opt to house him separately from the younger bulls during this time. This would also answer the obvious question of why is the second barn apparently going unused.

Splitting the cows (a cohesive herd) across two barns wouldn’t ideal, so the new herd barn is really needed before they can continue to expand. This should be completed by the time Kanlaya breeds at least.

 

[Zorro]

I believe all three bulls share the one barn, though as Gung enters his prime and has an annual musth cycle (as opposed to his erratic musth cycles he had throughout his late teens), they might opt to house him separately from the younger bulls during this time. This would also answer the obvious question of why is the second barn apparently going unused.

Splitting the cows (a cohesive herd) across two barns wouldn’t ideal, so the new herd barn is really needed before they can continue to expand. This should be completed by the time Kanlaya breeds at least.

I was surprised that they started out with only one barn considering they had hoped for some breeding with 1.3 elephants, I would have thought the bull would have had his own barn and seperate yard from the outset?

 

[Zoofan15]

I was surprised that they started out with only one barn considering they had hoped for some breeding with 1.3 elephants, I would have thought the bull would have had his own barn and seperate yard from the outset?

It is surprising, though in the 20th Century, less consideration was given to the social structure of elephants:

Melbourne Zoo imported 1.1 in the 1970’s (Bong Su and Mek Kepah). They initially lived with an older female (Peggy) and then after her death in 1988, lived together as a 1.1 pair throughout most of the 1990’s.

Perth Zoo imported 1.2 elephants in 1992 (Putra Mas, Permai and Teduh) who initially all lived with an older female (Tricia). It wasn’t until the mid-2000’s that a dedicated bull facility was built for Putra Mas. As we’ve seen in Taronga and Melbourne’s herds, young bulls are usually driven out the herd by 8-10 years (not their mid-late teens).

In that regard, Dubbo was ahead of their time in keeping Congo (and David) seperate from the cows from the time Congo arrived in 1983. Due to his health issues, David (who was nine when he arrived) may have been less of an imposition on the cows than a healthy bull his age and been tolerated for a longer period that what could otherwise have been expected.

Some city zoos kept their bulls seperate from the cows during the 20th Century, but it’s not difficult to imagine this was due to the necessity of managing a potentially dangerous bull in PC (while having the preference of keepers having free contact with the cows).

 

[Zorro]

It is surprising, though in the 20th Century, less consideration was given to the social structure of elephants:

Melbourne Zoo imported 1.1 in the 1970’s (Bong Su and Mek Kepah). They initially lived with an older female (Peggy) and then after her death in 1988, lived together as a 1.1 pair throughout most of the 1990’s.

Perth Zoo imported 1.2 elephants in 1992 (Putra Mas, Permai and Teduh) who initially all lived with an older female (Tricia). It wasn’t until the mid-2000’s that a dedicated bull facility was built for Putra Mas. As we’ve seen in Taronga and Melbourne’s herds, young bulls are usually driven out the herd by 8-10 years (not their mid-late teens).

In that regard, Dubbo was ahead of their time in keeping Congo (and David) seperate from the cows from the time Congo arrived in 1983. Due to his health issues, David (who was nine when he arrived) may have been less of an imposition on the cows than a healthy bull his age and been tolerated for a longer period that what could otherwise have been expected.

Some city zoos kept their bulls seperate from the cows during the 20th Century, but it’s not difficult to imagine this was due to the necessity of managing a potentially dangerous bull in PC (while having the preference of keepers having free contact with the cows).

I have to applaud ZoosVic for getting a number of world leading elephant experts to help in the design of the Werribee zoo elephant complex in my humble view I don't believe they could of done it any better this will pay them handsome dividends in years to come. They never took a big step forward but more like a leap in terms of progress compared to how things were done beforehand.I am eager to see how well Monarto zoos elephant exhibit/complex develops from now on they certainly leapt in it in a big way with no half measures. My biggest hope is that they can at least get one calf on the ground in the next few years, My main concern at this point is the move of Putra Mas, I really hope it goes well it will be literally a mammoth task!

 

[Zoofan15]

I have to applaud ZoosVic for getting a number of world leading elephant experts to help in the design of the Werribee zoo elephant complex in my humble view I don't believe they could of done it any better this will pay them handsome dividends in years to come. They never took a big step forward but more like a leap in terms of progress compared to how things were done beforehand.I am eager to see how well Monarto zoos elephant exhibit/complex develops from now on they certainly leapt in it in a big way with no half measures. My biggest hope is that they can at least get one calf on the ground in the next few years, My main concern at this point is the move of Putra Mas, I really hope it goes well it will be literally a mammoth task!

The Werribee complex represents the first time I’ve heard a zoo state an exhibit has been built with the intention of it lasting 100 years. There’s been countless exhibits that have opened in the region that were world class for their time, but 20-30 years on are looking dated. Like you say, they took a big leap as opposed to building something that was double or triple the size of what they had.

It’s also worth noting that here in 2025, there’s strong reason to believe that Werribee’s multigenerational herd will continue to flourish. Zoos that expanded their elephant exhibits in decades past - Taronga (80’s), Auckland (90’s) and Perth (00’s) all did so before the milestone of the first elephant birth in the region in 2009. Prior to this, there had been attempts by all three of those zoos to breed that had come to nothing. There was then little reason to believe their herds would expand significantly over the decades to follow.

 

[Zorro]

The Werribee complex represents the first time I’ve heard a zoo state an exhibit has been built with the intention of it lasting 100 years. There’s been countless exhibits that have opened in the region that were world class for their time, but 20-30 years on are looking dated. Like you say, they took a big leap as opposed to building something that was double or triple the size of what they had.

It’s also worth noting that here in 2025, there’s strong reason to believe that Werribee’s multigenerational herd will continue to flourish. Zoos that expanded their elephant exhibits in decades past - Taronga (80’s), Auckland (90’s) and Perth (00’s) all did so before the milestone of the first elephant birth in the region in 2009. Prior to this, there had been attempts by all three of those zoos to breed that had come to nothing. There was then little reason to believe their herds would expand significantly over the decades to follow.

I believe it was certainly old hat thinking that keeping and even breeding elephants in a city zoo was ok, I had hoped that even before the Thai import that they would of sent them to the open range zoos of Western Plains zoo and Werribee Park zoo instead of keeping them cooped up in a city zoo, Even though the keepers gave them the very best care they really need to wander around in open space. There is no turning back now the bar has been set so high at Werribee, I would hope that the other holders here can match it in time having three (four if one includes the Sydney zoo holding bulls) herds working together will yield the best results for the long term success in Australia.

 

[Zoofan15]

I believe it was certainly old hat thinking that keeping and even breeding elephants in a city zoo was ok, I had hoped that even before the Thai import that they would of sent them to the open range zoos of Western Plains zoo and Werribee Park zoo instead of keeping them cooped up in a city zoo, Even though the keepers gave them the very best care they really need to wander around in open space. There is no turning back now the bar has been set so high at Werribee, I would hope that the other holders here can match it in time having three (four if one includes the Sydney zoo holding bulls) herds working together will yield the best results for the long term success in Australia.

Elephant husbandry has undergone one of the greatest evolutions of any mammal held in captivity.

The aspect I’m most interested to observe is the development of the three breeding herds with regards to matrilines descended from unrelated cows. It’s been a subject of discussion given conflicts that have arisen in European captive herds; but is something that’s yet to be observed in Australasia due to none of the holders having more than one established matriline of two or more adults and/or the strong relationships/bonds between the unrelated cows.

Dubbo:

One matriline of Porntip (1992) and Kanlaya (2018).

A second potential matriline if Anjalee (2006) is pregnant with a female calf or produces a female calf in the future.

Monarto:

One potential matriline if Pak Boon (1992) is able to produce a daughter.

Werribee:

One matriline of Dokkoon (1993) and her daughters Mali (2010) and Aiyara (2022).

A second matriline of Num-Oi (2001) and her daughter Kati (2023).

In the event Anjalee only produces male calves and Num-Oi’s line was transferred to Monarto in 2-3 decades should Pak Boon fail to produce surviving female calves then there’s the potential each of the open range holders could end up managing one matriline each. For the sake of genetic diversity, Werribee are no doubt keen to maintain matrilines for as long as possible.

 

[Zorro]

Elephant husbandry has undergone one of the greatest evolutions of any mammal held in captivity.

The aspect I’m most interested to observe is the development of the three breeding herds with regards to matrilines descended from unrelated cows. It’s been a subject of discussion given conflicts that have arisen in European captive herds; but is something that’s yet to be observed in Australasia due to none of the holders having more than one established matriline of two or more adults and/or the strong relationships/bonds between the unrelated cows.

Dubbo:

One matriline of Porntip (1992) and Kanlaya (2018).

A second potential matriline if Anjalee (2006) is pregnant with a female calf or produces a female calf in the future.

Monarto:

One potential matriline if Pak Boon (1992) is able to produce a daughter.

Werribee:

One matriline of Dokkoon (1993) and her daughters Mali (2010) and Aiyara (2022).

A second matriline of Num-Oi (2001) and her daughter Kati (2023).

In the event Anjalee only produces male calves and Num-Oi’s line was transferred to Monarto in 2-3 decades should Pak Boon fail to produce surviving female calves then there’s the potential each of the open range holders could end up managing one matriline each. For the sake of genetic diversity, Werribee are no doubt keen to maintain matrilines for as long as possible.

One of the biggest factors on the direction of future herds is going to heavily depend on the number of female calfs born in the Werribee herd and at Dubbo. If they are lucky enough to score 2/3 females again at Werribee it's going to set their long term program up very well indeed, Also hopefully Dubbo can produce more females for their own herd. One of the main factors of sucess in the wonderful herd at Rockton in Canada was the high number of female calfs they produced.

 

[Jambo]

One of the biggest factors on the direction of future herds is going to heavily depend on the number of female calfs born in the Werribee herd and at Dubbo. If they are lucky enough to score 2/3 females again at Werribee it's going to set their long term program up very well indeed, Also hopefully Dubbo can produce more females for their own herd. One of the main factors of sucess in the wonderful herd at Rockton in Canada was the high number of female calfs they produced.

And to be fair, in the case of Rockton, most of those females born have yet to even produce calves themselves, so that facility is due for another huge boom in the coming decades if Rockton elect to breed all their cows. No one really has an idea on their capacity though - they could very well already be at cap.

Another cohort of majority female calves at Werribee would be amazing. There's been discussion as to whether genetics can influence the sex in elephants (as some individuals tend to produces more males than females, or vice versa), so here's the previous offspring of each of the cows for reference;

Dokkoon (3, 1.2 calves);

0.1 Mali (2010) x Bong Su
1.0 Man Jai (2013) x Bong Su
0.1 Aiyara (2022) x Luk Chai

Num Oi (3, 1.2 calves);

1.0 Sanook (2013) x Bong Su
0.1 Willow (2016) x Putra Mas
0.1 Kati (2022) x Luk Chai

Mali (1, 1.0 calf)

1.0 Roi Yim (2022) x Luk Chai

No huge favouring towards either sex (although with a relatively small sample size).

Another female calf from Dokkoon and/or Num Oi would be huge, but perhaps unlikely when you consider the entire scope of things.

On a regional note, it's interesting to see how Bong Su produced majority male calves (4.1) and his subsequent grand son is also male! Gung also produced majority male calves (3.1), and another male calf from Anjalee would put him on the same level as Bong Su. Conversely, Putra Mas has produced two daughters (0.2), as has Luk Chai (1.2).

 

[Zoofan15]

One of the biggest factors on the direction of future herds is going to heavily depend on the number of female calfs born in the Werribee herd and at Dubbo. If they are lucky enough to score 2/3 females again at Werribee it's going to set their long term program up very well indeed, Also hopefully Dubbo can produce more females for their own herd. One of the main factors of sucess in the wonderful herd at Rockton in Canada was the high number of female calfs they produced.

A third daughter from Dokkoon from the next cohort would surely given Werribee the confidence to cease breeding from this cow, with the expectation her daughters would continue her line long term. Similarly, a second surviving daughter from Num-Oi may be considered sufficient for succession of this line.

Breeding from Aiyara and Kati would likely follow when they’re around 12 years old; and could coincide with Mali producing her third calf (with the current plan being for Mali to breed alongside Dokkoon and Num-Oi for the next cohort). Num-Oi producing a son in the next cohort could provide the motivation to breed from her one final time alongside Mali, Aiyara and Kati; but they will need to be mindful of the number of females coming through.

Long term, it’s not difficult to imagine some cows not breeding for the first time until their mid to late-teens; and then perhaps only once more after that.

 

[Jambo]

A third daughter from Dokkoon from the next cohort would surely given Werribee the confidence to cease breeding from this cow, with the expectation her daughters would continue her line long term. Similarly, a second surviving daughter from Num-Oi may be considered sufficient for succession of this line.

Breeding from Aiyara and Kati would likely follow when they’re around 12 years old; and could coincide with Mali producing her third calf (with the current plan being for Mali to breed alongside Dokkoon and Num-Oi for the next cohort). Num-Oi producing a son in the next cohort could provide the motivation to breed from her one final time alongside Mali, Aiyara and Kati; but they will need to be mindful of the number of females coming through.

Long term, it’s not difficult to imagine some cows not breeding for the first time until their mid to late-teens; and then perhaps only once more after that.

I think that if Dokkoon does indeed produce another daughter, they'll absolutely retire her at that point. Even in the case she produces a son, there will likely be consideration to retiring her at that point considering her age and the potential amount of cows conceiving within the next cohort.

A second daughter from Num Oi would also likely present Werribee with the opportunity to retire her too - although it's possible Num Oi may be given another opportunity come the second Werribee cohort due to her representation.

At maximum I can see four cows allowed to breed in the second cohort based on the current state of things, but as we know, things can change quickly and a lot of factors ultimately come into play when making these decisions so it's ultimately nothing more than predictions assuming all goes well at this point!

 

[Zoofan15]

I think that if Dokkoon does indeed produce another daughter, they'll absolutely retire her at that point. Even in the case she produces a son, there will likely be consideration to retiring her at that point considering her age and the potential amount of cows conceiving within the next cohort.

A second daughter from Num Oi would also likely present Werribee with the opportunity to retire her too - although it's possible Num Oi may be given another opportunity come the second Werribee cohort due to her representation.

At maximum I can see four cows allowed to breed in the second cohort based on the current state of things, but as we know, things can change quickly and a lot of factors ultimately come into play when making these decisions so it's ultimately nothing more than predictions assuming all goes well at this point!

The latest cohort of calves was a run of extremely good fortune. Not only did all three viable cows conceive on the first cycle, all three pregnancies resulted in live births of healthy calves (two of which were female).

The next cohort would ideally follow the same pattern of Dokkoon, Num-Oi and Mali conceiving within months of each other; but in the event there were four cows breeding in the cohort that followed (i.e. Num-Oi, Mali, Aiyara and Kati), it would come as no surprise to see Werribee stagger the births over two years. Ideally the two experienced mothers would breed first, compounding the experience the first time breeders would have gained over their 10-12 years; ahead of Aiyara and Kati then breeding. In the unfortunate event one of the first cows suffered a stillbirth, there would be the option of them joining the second breeding rotation so that their calf wasn’t the straggler behind a cohort of three calves two years it’s senior. It would be preferable to have two pairs of calves two years apart; or one calf two years older than a trio of calves.

 

[Zorro]

The latest cohort of calves was a run of extremely good fortune. Not only did all three viable cows conceive on the first cycle, all three pregnancies resulted in live births of healthy calves (two of which were female).

The next cohort would ideally follow the same pattern of Dokkoon, Num-Oi and Mali conceiving within months of each other; but in the event there were four cows breeding in the cohort that followed (i.e. Num-Oi, Mali, Aiyara and Kati), it would come as no surprise to see Werribee stagger the births over two years. Ideally the two experienced mothers would breed first, compounding the experience the first time breeders would have gained over their 10-12 years; ahead of Aiyara and Kati then breeding. In the unfortunate event one of the first cows suffered a stillbirth, there would be the option of them joining the second breeding rotation so that their calf wasn’t the straggler behind a cohort of three calves two years it’s senior. It would be preferable to have two pairs of calves two years apart; or one calf two years older than a trio of calves.

It would be wise I believe if Werribee tried to factor in a calf or two using Putra Mas he way under represented!

 

[Zoofan15]

It would be wise I believe if Werribee tried to factor in a calf or two using Putra Mas he way under represented!

That would be a good way to promote genetic diversity within the herd; and the region (especially if Putra Mas is unable to breed with Pak Boon at Monarto).

Werribee has the facilities to house two adult bulls, but through utilising AI, they could retain Luk Chai on site and use the additional space for Roi-Yim and Werribee bred male calves. The region is focussed on natural breeding, so not sure this would eventuate; but we know Dokkoon and Num-Oi at least have successsfully participated in AI procedures. AI is an expensive procedure, but so too is housing and feeding an adult bull elephant, so there’s pros and cons to both.

 

[Jambo]

That would be a good way to promote genetic diversity within the herd; and the region (especially if Putra Mas is unable to breed with Pak Boon at Monarto).

Werribee has the facilities to house two adult bulls, but through utilising AI, they could retain Luk Chai on site and use the additional space for Roi-Yim and Werribee bred male calves. The region is focussed on natural breeding, so not sure this would eventuate; but we know Dokkoon and Num-Oi at least have successsfully participated in AI procedures. AI is an expensive procedure, but so too is housing and feeding an adult bull elephant, so there’s pros and cons to both.

If the plan is not to breed from Putra Mas at Monarto, I don't see why there isn't consideration at this point to send him down to Werribee instead. Considering the difficulties he's had crate training, there's no guarantees things will be different come the next five to ten years when he might be desired at Werribee.

In the case they're doubtful he can naturally mate cows, I can understand that train of thought (ie. AI may be the only option). However other than that, there's little reason to have a very valuable bull sitting at a potential non breeding facility.

 

[Zoofan15]

If the plan is not to breed from Putra Mas at Monarto, I don't see why there isn't consideration at this point to send him down to Werribee instead. Considering the difficulties he's had crate training, there's no guarantees things will be different come the next five to ten years when he might be desired at Werribee.

In the case they're doubtful he can naturally mate cows, I can understand that train of thought (ie. AI may be the only option). However other than that, there's little reason to have a very valuable bull sitting at a potential non breeding facility.

@Johnpaul21 reported from his Monarto visit earlier this month the intention is to breed from Pak Boon, but it’s uncertain whether breeding will be successful. Aside from Putra Mas being an unproven breeder, it’s been eight years since Pak Boon last produced a calf.

The two contingency plans are reportedly:

1. Undertake AI using Putra Mas as a donor with other cows in the region. This would refer to Werribee since Dubbo has two bulls on site and will likely only be breeding from Anjalee (pregnant to Gung) and Kanlaya (daughter of Putra Mas) going forward.

2. Bring in young bulls to be mentored by Putra Mas. @Johnpaul21 mentioned this with regards to bull calves sired by Putra Mas at other facilities via AI; but since paternity isn’t recognised by bulls, there’s no reason to believe this couldn’t apply to other young bulls within the region that are surplus to their facilities.

 

[Zorro]

@Johnpaul21 reported from his Monarto visit earlier this month the intention is to breed from Pak Boon, but it’s uncertain whether breeding will be successful. Aside from Putra Mas being an unproven breeder, it’s been eight years since Pak Boon last produced a calf.

The two contingency plans are reportedly:

1. Undertake AI using Putra Mas as a donor with other cows in the region. This would refer to Werribee since Dubbo has two bulls on site and will likely only be breeding from Anjalee (pregnant to Gung) and Kanlaya (daughter of Putra Mas) going forward.

2. Bring in young bulls to be mentored by Putra Mas. @Johnpaul21 mentioned this with regards to bull calves sired by Putra Mas at other facilities via AI; but since paternity isn’t recognised by bulls, there’s no reason to believe this couldn’t apply to other young bulls within the region that are surplus to their facilities.

I would say do whatever it takes to get a calf/s from Putra Mas he is to valuable not to just try and rely on him doing a natural breeding it would pay off in the future