North American Asian Elephant Population 2025

ZCChip said:
It was also the egos at the Zoo to hold Raja so long. It also brings PR.

Personally, I do not understand why the intention to move Raja to Colombus. Granted, Johnson has several offspring, but with three cows? They will need the space for any bulls born, and Raja may be needed more elsewhere. I am sure there are circumstances that we may never know leading to the decision.
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Well at least Raja is going somewhere else very soon. I'm positive that he'll breed Phoebe Rudy and Sunny just as fine as Johnson as he has impregnated cows multiple times back at STL, 3 of these births surving and maturing. The only reason he has not bred any of the younger cows recently would be bc the only current viable cows are his 3 respective daughters. The other older cows are now past their prime, and two years ago Rani died suddenly at 27 after the herd got spooked by an unleashed dog somehow which broke into their enclsoure. I think Raja's move to Columbus was promoted by Rani's death out of the blue considering the fact she would have been his only realistic mate if she did survived that dog drama. Also, what Columbus is doing encompasses that much of the asian breeding facilities are being very proactive with bringing in new males and housing auxiliary backups in the process.
 
The Horse Boy said:
Well at least Raja is going somewhere else very soon. I'm positive that he'll breed Phoebe Rudy and Sunny just as fine as Johnson as he has impregnated cows multiple times back at STL, 3 of these births surving and maturing. The only reason he has not bred any of the younger cows recently would be bc the only current viable cows are his 3 respective daughters. The other older cows are now past their prime, and two years ago Rani died suddenly at 27 after the herd got spooked by an unleashed dog somehow which broke into their enclsoure. I think Raja's move to Columbus was promoted by Rani's death out of the blue considering the fact she would have been his only realistic mate if she did survived that dog drama. Also, what Columbus is doing encompasses that much of the asian breeding facilities are being very proactive with bringing in new males and housing auxiliary backups in the process.
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Well I just do not think Raja is that attractive as compared to Johnson and Hank. LOL But yes its likely happening because of the reasons you outlined. We will just have to see how the chips fall.

Rani likely died of the heart attack. Not because of the dog. She was not around the dog when it happened, but she heard the herd reacting to it and was responding when she collapsed.
 
On another note, does anyone know if Trong Nhi and Nhi Linh are pregnant at Smithsonian’s National Zoo? On my most recent visit I noticed that Trong Nhi’s belly was enlarged where a baby would be devolving. I have also noticed Trong Nhi and Nhi Linh are spending time near the feeders more often and scratching their bellies where the baby would be grow growing.
 
Nathan Slaven said:
On another note, does anyone know if Trong Nhi and Nhi Linh are pregnant at Smithsonian’s National Zoo? On my most recent visit I noticed that Trong Nhi’s belly was enlarged where a baby would be devolving. I have also noticed Trong Nhi and Nhi Linh are spending time near the feeders more often and scratching their bellies where the baby would be grow growing.
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There has been no annoucement as far I know. You could ask a keeper if you saw one!
 
ZCChip said:
There has been no annoucement as far I know. You could ask a keeper if you saw one!
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Well let's hope Spike finally impregnated them. If so, they shall not bring in a new ypunger breeding breeding bull impo. Spike has successfully impregnated cows in the past, and there are documented examples of bulls siring calves in their 50's such as Thai Casey and Rex. So Spike still should have about 10-15 left of reproductive capability.
 
The Horse Boy said:
Well let's hope Spike finally impregnated them. If so, they shall not bring in a new ypunger breeding breeding bull impo. Spike has successfully impregnated cows in the past, and there are documented examples of bulls siring calves in their 50's such as Thai Casey and Rex. So Spike still should have about 10-15 left of reproductive capability.
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I do wish that Spike will impregnate both of them. I feel like Smithsonian could do AI sense they are pretty involved with elephant reproduction research.
 
AI generally has a lower success rate than natural breeding, and Spike has successfully impregnated females many times. If there was a conception issue with natural breeding involving him - the females would be the issue and AI would do less, so to speak.

I wouldn't expect to hear much of an announcement until close to/after any calves may be born.
 
HawkAlot said:
AI generally has a lower success rate than natural breeding, and Spike has successfully impregnated females many times. If there was a conception issue with natural breeding involving him - the females would be the issue and AI would do less, so to speak.

I wouldn't expect to hear much of an announcement until close to/after any calves may be born.
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The only successful pregnancies with Spike are from one cow, not multiple. Sure, he has mated with more than one. As far we know, Florida never had any calves from him. His sperm count may be low or he may be now sterile if the cows at the National Zoo are not pregnant.
 
ZCChip said:
The only successful pregnancies with Spike are from one cow, not multiple. Sure, he has mated with more than one. As far we know, Florida never had any calves from him. His sperm count may be low or he may be now sterile if the cows at the National Zoo are not pregnant.
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Like you said, only one cow has had calves with Spike (Maharani) even though he’s mated with others, that does seem like a red flag. It’s definitely possible his sperm count is low, or maybe he’s sterile now, specially if none of the National Zoo cows are pregnant. A fertility check might help clear things up and figure out the next steps for breeding.
 
Nathan Slaven said:
Like you said, only one cow has had calves with Spike (Maharani) even though he’s mated with others, that does seem like a red flag. It’s definitely possible his sperm count is low, or maybe he’s sterile now, specially if none of the National Zoo cows are pregnant. A fertility check might help clear things up and figure out the next steps for breeding.
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Well considering before these two, 2/3 cows he was placed with successfully conceived multiple times (with the 3rd being a cow who hadn't conceived in ~10 years) - I'm going to stand by my original statement.
 
HawkAlot said:
Well considering before these two, 2/3 cows he was placed with successfully conceived multiple times (with the 3rd being a cow who hadn't conceived in ~10 years) - I'm going to stand by my original statement.
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Thanks for the info and I appreciate your statement. Just for clarity, who are the females you're referring to in this case?
 
As has been stated on here before, there are ZERO issues with Spike as a breeding bull. His fertility is fine and he has zero issues with successfully breeding cows amd getting them pregnant, if they are able to conceive. He just unfortunately has never been in a situation where he’s been with a great cow for breeding.
 
Hyak_II said:
As has been stated on here before, there are ZERO issues with Spike as a breeding bull. His fertility is fine and he has zero issues with successfully breeding cows amd getting them pregnant, if they are able to conceive. He just unfortunately has never been in a situation where he’s been with a great cow for breeding.
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I respect your stance and do believe Spike is still fertile. I believe Trong Nhi is a good cow for breeding and hopefully they will breed one day.
 
Nathan Slaven said:
I respect your stance and do believe Spike is still fertile. I believe Trong Nhi is a good cow for breeding and hopefully they will breed one day.
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They have already bred. Spike is still fertile. And they Rotterdam girls have only been at National for going three years this November. Pregnancy itself as I’m sure you and everyone is aware is 22 to 26 months… and National stays tight lipped. If they are pregnant, an announcement would come in the next couple months if not after the calves are on the ground.
 
E Maximus said:
They have already bred. Spike is still fertile. And they Rotterdam girls have only been at National for going three years this November. Pregnancy itself as I’m sure you and everyone is aware is 22 to 26 months… and National stays tight lipped. If they are pregnant, an announcement would come in the next couple months if not after the calves are on the ground.
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Thanks for the information! Really hoping they are pregnant!
 
E Maximus said:
They have already bred. Spike is still fertile. And they Rotterdam girls have only been at National for going three years this November. Pregnancy itself as I’m sure you and everyone is aware is 22 to 26 months… and National stays tight lipped. If they are pregnant, an announcement would come in the next couple months if not after the calves are on the ground.
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I'm sure that atp that AI'ing the Rotterdam mother daugther pair or bringing in a younger breeding bull should be done as a last resort if they are so confident Spike is still fertile and can succefully impregante them. If any of the cows are pregnant and Smithsonian is quiet about it, i'm very sure is for safety purposes. Sometimes zoos don't announce pregnancies till the cows has 2 or several months left in it, or directly when a calf is born. Bottom line is that Smithsonian is being very proactive about breeding by housong two breedable cows with years and years of fertility left in them.
 
The Horse Boy said:
I'm sure that atp that AI'ing the Rotterdam mother daugther pair or bringing in a younger breeding bull should be done as a last resort if they are so confident Spike is still fertile and can succefully impregante them. If any of the cows are pregnant and Smithsonian is quiet about it, i'm very sure is for safety purposes. Sometimes zoos don't announce pregnancies till the cows has 2 or several months left in it, or directly when a calf is born. Bottom line is that Smithsonian is being very proactive about breeding by housong two breedable cows with years and years of fertility left in them.
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National keeps their cards close to their chest, I know they know what they're doing. Trong Nhi's proven as is Spike - it's not the end of the world if nothing happens.
 
tigris115 said:
Generally, once an elephant has conceived, how long do different zoos wait to deliver the news?
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Some zoos publicly announce pregnancies early on like Sedgwick did with their elephants while some other zoos don’t publicly announce until the baby is already born like Dallas with Okubili, as far as I know.
 
tigris115 said:
Generally, once an elephant has conceived, how long do different zoos wait to deliver the news?
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Depends on the facility however on average they wait until the pregnancy is 18 - 20 months along. Some do announce much sooner Oregon historically announced Chendra’s pregnancy just 4-6 months along prior to her miscarriage. The miscarriage being an example as to why most wait.
 
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