North American Asian Elephant Population 2025

An
StoppableSan said:
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.
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Another example of a lot the US Asian facilities being proactive just like Columbus Houston STL and OKC. The only modern Asian facility that had a lot of instability ahead of them i think was LA as activists incessantly lashed out at them for housing the species and wasn't able to grab sustainable herds bc of that, thus their phase out (at least temporarily).
 
Frankie_number_1_fan said:
Sunny at Columbus has given birth to a GIRL
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on Instagram: "It’s a GIRL! Asian elephant Sunny delivered her calf in the early hours of July 23, 2025. Weighing in at 215 pounds, baby girl is healthy and doing well, and so is Mom. Sunny began showing early signs of labor on July 22. Because she is a first-time mom, the elephant care team has been proactively training for this moment for months, so she knew exactly what to do when the time came, and she handled the birth like a champ. Sunny is already showing strong maternal instincts, nurturing her calf with attentiveness and care. To give them time to rest and focus on bonding, they are currently behind the scenes and not yet viewable to the public. The little one is nursing, staying close to mom, and beginning to explore with a curious trunk and wobbly steps. While trunk coordination may take a little practice, the new arrival is already capturing hearts. The baby joins an incredible herd at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, including mom Sunny, Johnson, Rudy, Phoebe, and 4-year-old Frankie. The baby’s father, Sabu, resides at the @cincinnatizoo. This birth, as well as a second birth expected in the fall of 2025 (elephant Phoebe is also pregnant!), was part of a collaborative effort under the Species Survival Plan® (SSP)— a program coordinated by @zoos_aquariums (AZA) to support healthy, genetically diverse populations of threatened and endangered species in professional care. The Columbus Zoo is deeply committed to working to save elephants in their native range through programs like CSS Asian Elephant, by hosting an on-site lab that researches and combats Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV), leading the AZA SAFE: Asian Elephant program, and by contributing to this robust breeding program in North American zoos. We’ll have more updates (including next steps with a name) at a later date and will share them here. Thank you for your support of our teams, and help us congratulate Sunny in the comments below!"
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Absolutely PERFECT news, Columbus now officially has a long-awaited matrilineal herd! Hopefully Phoebe also has a girl and then they can have an ever larger cow herd!
 
Nile Hippo Expert said:
Absolutely PERFECT news, Columbus now officially has a long-awaited matrilineal herd! Hopefully Phoebe also has a girl and then they can have an ever larger cow herd!
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Things are definitely looking up for Columbus! Though anything can happen in these vital first days and weeks, my fingers are crossed that things work out for this little girl. I was really hoping for at least one girl out of this bunch, and I couldn't be happier that Sunny is coming out of the gates strong with the beginings of her own matriline.
I really hope Phoebe follows suit this fall. Of course, ANY calves of Sabu hold enormous value, but a female calf would really sweeten the deal. ESPECIALLY in Phoebe's case.
 
Frankie_number_1_fan said:
The first of Columbus' two anticipated calves has arrived! Sunny has given birth to a GIRL on July 23rd!!!
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on Instagram
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Excellent news for Columbus as they can finally start to build their matriarchal herd, with both Raja and Johnson at Columbus or set to arrive the likely hood of any future calves Sunny has being daughters is very high, and hopefully in time this little girl will be on a successful breeding female as well.
 
tigris115 said:
I know this is supposed to be very happy news but I'm kinda just nervous of how she's gonna be. The threat of EEHV hangs over the Asian elephant ssp like a damned reaper
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I am very sure they are watching her like a hawk. But I wouldn’t think they need to start the vaccines now as she’s getting the colostrum and antibodies from Sunny?
 
Frankie_number_1_fan said:
The first of Columbus' two anticipated calves has arrived! Sunny has given birth to a GIRL on July 23rd!!!
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on Instagram
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Absolutely wonderful news to hear!

Really glad Sunny's had a successful birth, and even more excited that it's a little girl. As has been said, it's really positive news for the future of Columbus's herd as whole; with female calves being vital for herd succession. Hopefully Phoebe also produces a daughter too - that would be brilliant, especially as she isn't getting any younger herself.

It's also good news as this female calf is very, very valuable as this is founder Sabu's only surviving offspring (he will be expecting another with Phoebe). Sunny's line isn't too well represented within the main population too (outside of White Oak) - this calf being the only grandchild of wildborn 'Sally' and one of only three within the main population to wildborn 'Charlie' (the other two being the Syracuse twins).
 
tigris115 said:
I know this is supposed to be very happy news but I'm kinda just nervous of how she's gonna be. The threat of EEHV hangs over the Asian elephant ssp like a damned reaper
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Knocking on wood here, I will note that we haven't seen a death from EEHV in the Asian population for about 3 years now (Iirc Beco at Columbus was that last death). Obviously that doesn't mean we won't see more deaths in the future, but for a population that was losing young animals rapidly for several years I think we're making solid progress. The vaccine has already helped two young bulls survive what could've been a devastating blow to Cincinnati's herd, and numerous young individuals have been vaccinated now with seemingly positive effects.
 
Frankie_number_1_fan said:
Knocking on wood here, I will note that we haven't seen a death from EEHV in the Asian population for about 3 years now (Iirc Beco at Columbus was that last death). Obviously that doesn't mean we won't see more deaths in the future, but for a population that was losing young animals rapidly for several years I think we're making solid progress. The vaccine has already helped two young bulls survive what could've been a devastating blow to Cincinnati's herd, and numerous young individuals have been vaccinated now with seemingly positive effects.
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You have a very valid point there. I'm not sure how different the situation is in Europe as the Munich zoo just lost a calf to EEHV, but since Beco's death in 2022- and he was only in his mid teens then unlike the very young ages of most deaths- America has gradually been seeing a much slower EEHV related mortality rate within their captive Asian population. And the new vaccine introduced just last year only really beefs it up, again meaning a much much brighter more sustainable future with births and the overall population in US. That will mean more Asians for brand new facilities, or existing ones looking for breeding or bachelor groups, in the coming years.
 
Jambo said:
Absolutely wonderful news to hear!

Really glad Sunny's had a successful birth, and even more excited that it's a little girl. As has been said, it's really positive news for the future of Columbus's herd as whole; with female calves being vital for herd succession. Hopefully Phoebe also produces a daughter too - that would be brilliant, especially as she isn't getting any younger herself.

It's also good news as this female calf is very, very valuable as this is founder Sabu's only surviving offspring (he will be expecting another with Phoebe). Sunny's line isn't too well represented within the main population too (outside of White Oak) - this calf being the only grandchild of wildborn 'Sally' and one of only three within the main population to wildborn 'Charlie' (the other two being the Syracuse twins).
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I know Columbus said two of their cows were pregnant last summer, but i thought Rudy to be the 2nd pregnant female. It would quite a blow if she never produces calves.
 
The Horse Boy said:
You have a very valid point there. I'm not sure how different the situation is in Europe as the Munich zoo just lost a calf to EEHV, but since Beco's death in 2022- and he was only in his mid teens then unlike the very young ages of most deaths- America has gradually been seeing a much slower EEHV related mortality rate within their captive Asian population. And the new vaccine introduced just last year only really beefs it up, again meaning a much much brighter more sustainable future with births and the overall population in US. That will mean more Asians for brand new facilities, or existing ones looking for breeding or bachelor groups, in the coming years.
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Like, San Antonio Zoo and maybe Los Angeles Zoo can have Elephants again?
 
The Horse Boy said:
These two alongside maybe little rock are the only two us zoos I see housing Asians again after a phase out and maybe bronx
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Little Rock Zoo have two elderly Individuals Zina and Babe and how are they are going to renovate to house new blood individuals alongside Bronx Zoo has to overhaul their Elephant Habitat in the Wild Asia Monorail?
 
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