African Elephants in Europe 2025
- Thread starter Elephant Enthusiast
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As the zoo expected, Maya and Rosy are not getting along well after Heri's death. The two elephants have never had a good relationship. They now have to spend most of the day apart, but they are given the opportunity to see each other for about five hours a day. Despite their fights, they seem to need the contact. Although not life-threatening, they do sustain minor injuries during these fights. This also means that Maya and Rosy will be moving to two different zoos.
Once they have moved, the intention is to bring a breeding group to Basel. Three options are currently being explored, but they do not yet want to say which zoos they are in contact with. All changes are expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Source: «Jetzt sind sie wieder am Kämpfen»: Zolli-Elefanten Maya und Rosy müssen gehen
The Horse Boy
Well-Known Member
Cabarceno has a few matrilines they could acquire. Kronberg has a couple matrilines one of which could shipped out as they're about reaching capacity with their number of adult elephants. Maybe Howlett's? One thing's for sure: they're electing a breeding group consisting of at least a mother daughter pair; not a bachelor troop. I guess the necessity for African bachelor facilities is not quite as great as with Asians in Europe.
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That would be curious about the Howletts since the "release back to Africa" failed. I am not even sure they are breeding anymore.
The Horse Boy
Well-Known Member
Is the because Howlett's isn't allowed to breed elephants now?
I haven’t heard anything about them in several months. I know the new zoo director wanted them to go back to Africa. But that backfired. They no longer have a breeding bull.
Why do you think Howletts was not allowed to breed their elephants? Who should forbid it? They are not part of the EEP anymore and do not follow breeding recommendations. That they are no longer breeding elephants is their CHOICE, they sent their breeding bull away in preparations of moving the herd to Africa (bull was not owned by Aspinall so they were not allowed to move him to Africa, and they did not want to females pregnant during the rewildering/ flight).
The 2 15 year old bulls are seperated from the female group since a while as far as I know.
The 2 15 year old bulls are seperated from the female group since a while as far as I know.
Has there ever been a statement about how they want to move on after the move to Kenya failed? If they feel it's inappropriate to keep elephants in zoos these days they could give up keeping them and send them elsewhere. Losing the elephants would be a massive loss for the EEP. If I counted correctly they hold 3 of 17 matrilines in Europe at the moment (Carbaceno has another 3, so these two hold one third of Europe's matriline population)
Mr.Ivory
Well-Known Member
To be quite honest I the reason as to why they don't want to give up the herd would be due to pride, and the hope that they maybe can try again with rewilding the herd.
From what I gather the move is 'in limbo'/ delayed rather than cancelled. It is still their intention to do it afaik though the timeframe seems very uncertain and maybe it is in reality not possible, I don't know.
ATM, I think everything around the Aspinall Parks is in limbo!
IMO: As far as the African elephant herd is concerned they shoud resume breeding with an unrelated bull. Is that going to happen anytime soon.... I don't think so! Is it a waste of space and animals ATM ... Hell Yes!
TBH: Where I once was happy to go round and experience the parks, in the last 5-6 years and especially since COVID and getting kicken out of EAZA the whole dynamic around both animal parks has changed from a positive creative conservation ethic both ex situ with in situ components to an absolute negative with fundamentalist-animal welfare dead end anti zoo rationale that is getting them nowhere. It is high time at the top things get kicked in the face and someone or working party with a good future long term vision for zoo and wildlife parks in Kent takes the helm....over.
the elephants and the possibilities of Howletts and Port Lympe.
not to bring in an African elephant bull, but three of them. unrelated. just to spread genes in width.
the Aspinall park van take a leading role in welfare, in situ and ex situ approach for many species. they once had the creativity. and they can and should pick up that position. in togetherness with other institutions.
I don't know anything about politics.
not to bring in an African elephant bull, but three of them. unrelated. just to spread genes in width.
the Aspinall park van take a leading role in welfare, in situ and ex situ approach for many species. they once had the creativity. and they can and should pick up that position. in togetherness with other institutions.
I don't know anything about politics.
I do agree on major points with you. Just politics wise the current leadership is in no way capable of doing what you come to observe and suggest in line 3 (wish for list).
Mr.Ivory
Well-Known Member
Numbi has given birth to healthy male calf
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Some *extremely* interesting updates on the European population!
Cow Metzi has moved from Valencia to Sosto, and what’s more, she’s pregnant! She is due around December of 2026, and given the timelines of Valencia’s bull transfers, is most likely pregnant from natural breeding with Tooth.
I will admit I do find the move somewhat interesting, but it does make sense. Valencia still has 5 adult cows and two calves, plus Tooth, after this, and I would say the likelihood is high that at least two or three of those remaining cows are pregnant as well. So the extra space will be appreciated.
Valencia only has the three animals, so combining the two groups, even if it is two matrilines, isn't an outrageous option. However especially if Jambo ends up proving out, their breeding potential is excellent now.
Cow Metzi has moved from Valencia to Sosto, and what’s more, she’s pregnant! She is due around December of 2026, and given the timelines of Valencia’s bull transfers, is most likely pregnant from natural breeding with Tooth.
I will admit I do find the move somewhat interesting, but it does make sense. Valencia still has 5 adult cows and two calves, plus Tooth, after this, and I would say the likelihood is high that at least two or three of those remaining cows are pregnant as well. So the extra space will be appreciated.
Valencia only has the three animals, so combining the two groups, even if it is two matrilines, isn't an outrageous option. However especially if Jambo ends up proving out, their breeding potential is excellent now.
The Horse Boy
Well-Known Member
I think it's for the best given how Valencia has multiple matrilines if i'm correct.
The Horse Boy
Well-Known Member
I hope it's a matriline from somewhere in the country.