The Horse Boy
Well-Known Member
So is limited space more the reason why Sdudla isn't breeding Matjrka and Mbali at Tampa? If that's the case, i'm sure he'll become a powerhouse when he goes to say Omaha or Fresno
North American Asian and African Elephant Populations 2025: Discussion and Speculation
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Mr.Ivory
Well-Known Member
I mean, most bulls in that were capable of natural breeding are mostly deceased, now, bulls like Smokey, Machito, Rip, Chico, Macho, and Willie, and those that are left are either behavioral non breeders, or bulls like Jackson, and Mabu who are at this point genetically well represented in the population, or bulls Maclean and Sdudla although active in breeding naturly are just under utilized.
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Maclean at Disneys Animal Kingdom is the oldest African elephant bull set up to breed currently. He’s at least a decade older than Mabu and has breeding recommendations with all of the African elephants at the park except for his daughters.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
Yep, knew I was probably forgetting someone, typed that out in a rush this morning
He's a perfect example of an older bull that absolutely still has the desire to breed, and I don't forsee that changing for a while yet!
The Horse Boy
Well-Known Member
Yup, he's 43 now, and it goes without saying he is the sire of their newest calf corra. Re. that, I'm fully skeptical Mabu will stop breeding anytime soon regardless of how so-called 'Overrepresented", he is. I'm sure Sdudla has about a decade or so of reproductive potential left.Yep, knew I was probably forgetting someone, typed that out in a rush this morning
He's a perfect example of an older bull that absolutely still has the desire to breed, and I don't forsee that changing for a while yet!
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
I anticipate his run may slow down a bit once his daughters, and maybe even a son or two, start breeding. However I doubt he'll be retired unless absolutely necessary. Him and Callee are decently established as "last resort" bulls that can get cows pregnant in a pinch. Mabu of course at Fresno and Callee at both Omaha and now Sedgwick. Given the current state of available bulls and the sheer amount of virgin cows reaching the tail end of their reproductive window, I'm fairly confident both will make rounds to at least one or two more facilities before taking a break.
Maclean has another calf possibly on the way with Kianga’s pregnancy unless she’s the African elephant E Maximus previously reported on that miscarried. Additionally her pregnancy according to Yazziel was a result of AI. I know a few years back which I’ll share that article now, the issue was Maclean had little interest for a while in wanting to breed with Kianga.
Love Is in the Air at Disney's Animal Kingdom as Elephant Tries to Woo Park's Biggest Animal
Regarding your last two sentences, again and I don’t mean this personally to you, you are rehashing information that was been explained over and over again. Where things stand with the African Elephant population, any elephant that can breed is breeding as a general rule. There is ZERO reason for Mabu, Sdudla, Maclean, Tendaji, whoever the bull is, to NOT be breeding if they can and have the breeding recommendations to do so. So many zoochat members like Hyak_11 have explained this time and time again.
it has been explained previously that there are some facilities who have not yet announced their pregnancies, and there are more bulls as well becoming proven breeders in the African elephant population. I know of one bull who has offspring on the way that is a first time father and if all goes well, they should be born by no later than early 2026.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
You have stated this fact before multiple times in response to a similar comment, I assure you I have not forgotten about it. However one or two more proven bulls does not erase the current issue within the population. We need a number of bulls in order to match the amount of cows needing bred (and needing bred fast for that matter), and it is likely going to take years to achieve this. Until then, the solution for facilities like Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, etc is probably going to be a bull like Mabu or Callee. This singular fact of a single new bull siring offspring naturally is not a tell-all indication that the winds are changing on this trend. As much as we all want to hope otherwise, the likelihood of a majority of the valuable young-adult bulls in the population breeding naturally is slim.
Jackson at the ICC is the oldest African bull in a breeding situation at 50 years old. They have had some seriously bad luck but at least one of their females is still actively breeding with him. I know their three cows names but I forget which one it is that I’m thinking about. They’re also really hush hush as of recent so I fear I’m not at liberty to discuss the exact semantics as to their program at this time.
Oh! I didn’t know he was still breeding where he’s at so my apologies for that mistake!
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
Their breeding cow would be Sukiri (wild-born in 1993), her last calf, (Tsuni, who has since died of EEHV), was born in July 2021.
Mr.Ivory
Well-Known Member
The cow that is most likely still breeding is Sukiri who Tsuni's mother, and it wouldn't surprise me if she indeed pregnant.
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Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
Musi would be a good fit, as would Tendaji. Jabali may very well become a great breeder (minus in Indy) if given a little time to mature. I agree though, three bulls are not enough to upkeep the genetic diversity, I have a feeling imports from Europe will be needed sooner rather than later.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
I may be misremembering, but weren't there issues with Sukiri surrounding her pregnancy and birth? Or am I thinking of a different cow?
if I remember right, it was a premature birth. The calf was very small but lived (for 3 years). She was an older cow for a first calf. I honestly do not expect she is pregnant again but stranger things have happened.
Ali if I recall only has one daughter, Zahara who had a calf nearly two years ago. Jabali at Disneys Animal Kingdom is there to breed with Macleans daughters. Tsavo at the Reid Park Zoo, and Vus Musi at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, are there to breed with Mabus daughters. Yes I’m aware in Vus Musis case he’s at the San Diego Zoo currently, but last I heard and unless this is changed, he is still set up to be the parks breeding bull elephant. Sdudla is the only one I don’t know about.
Also regarding Titan, I personally would not rule him out yet in terms of breeding potential there. There’s also Samson I think is who I’m thinking of at the Maryland Zoo, who’s an offspring of Willie. So that’s two additional bulls there to consider. And then Tamani is currently set up to breed with Christie and Zuri at the Kansas City Zoo.
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The Horse Boy
Well-Known Member
We must not forget Tsavo! I anticipate he will be a good contributor to breeding and producing offspring starting at Reid Park given his species appropriate upbringing and that fact that he is extremely valuable on his deceased mother's Moyo's side. On the whole, I'd say the amount of African bulls with the level of bandwidth similar to Jackson Mabu and now Callee needless to say, in Anerica are slowly starting to rise, then in the next few years the country will be bountiful of them unlike now. Patience is the key for success!
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The Horse Boy
Well-Known Member
The problem with Samson is that, if i'm correct, he did not witness any proper breeding during his youth, which is the biggest minus with many captive born elephants born via AI if the facility doesn't. And that is a factor to heavily consider about Maryland as i'm unsure Tuffy was ever successful with their two cows.