North American Asian Elephant Population 2025
- Thread starter E Maximus
- Start date
A USDA APHIS inspection report from August 2025 reports that Myakka Elephant Ranch has four Asian elephants named Patty, Libby, Margaret, and Cameron, in addition to two African elephants named Baba and Susie. It would appear 0.1 Libby (1968), 0.1 Margaret (1969), and 1.0 Cameron Lee (2020) were transferred to Myakka Elephant Ranch from Endangered Ark Foundation earlier this year. This would explain why Libby, Margaret, and Cameron Lee were removed from the EAF website.
PST_Inspection_Report_Jorge & Lou Ann Barreda (20-AUG-2025).pdf
Myakka Elephant Ranch - Happy World Elephant Day! | Facebook
Elephants | Endangered Ark Foundation
PST_Inspection_Report_Jorge & Lou Ann Barreda (20-AUG-2025).pdf
Myakka Elephant Ranch - Happy World Elephant Day! | Facebook
Elephants | Endangered Ark Foundation
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
Surprised they moved Cameron Lee without his mother but with two cows about their age, wonder what their reason behind this was?
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
I'm definitely curious to see how they handle Cameron Lee as he grows. Myakka doesn't utilize PC afaik and allow guests to touch and interact with their elephants, which is far from ideal with a hormonal young bull. I wonder if this is temporary before he moves elswhere.
He's five years old now, so not the most surprising. I've seen a few bulls begin to transition off from their matriarchal herd around his age. Furthermore, his mum is now much older, in her mid 50's, so perhaps it's best for this separation/transfer to occur before he begins to get too big and too rowdy for her.
I don't imagine he'll be held full time with Myakka's two older girls, and so will likely be managed differently. It's certainly a good possibility that he could end up being transferred elsewhere eventually as he matures.
Jonathan Petersson
Well-Known Member
Whimpy does not raise any of her own calves and so as soon as he was weened from her Cameron was raised by Traci and then Margaret. Libby is close with Margret and so was moved with her and Cameron.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
Also important to note that Whimpy has two daughters at Endangered Ark, and it would be frowned upon to seperate her from them.
Endangered Ark is not part of the SSP as far I know so it wouldn’t matter if Whimpy is with her daughters. They are probably kept apart already anyway.
if Whimpy doesn’t raise her calves how they ensure the calves have colostrum? That is the antibodies for EEHV especially?
if Whimpy doesn’t raise her calves how they ensure the calves have colostrum? That is the antibodies for EEHV especially?
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
Whimpy nurses her calves from what I understand, she just doesn't raise them once they're weaned. Hence why it was stated that once they're weaned other cows step in.
Regardless if Whimpy is close to her daughters, it still doesn't make sense to move her to another facility without them. ARAs would throw a fit if word got out a mother had been seperated from her daughters. Despite not needing to follow AZA guidelines and expectations, it's pretty common knowledge that family groups should be kept together whenever possible. It would just be bad PR.
Renee&Kirkja77
Member
Fort Worth Zoo on Instagram: "SURPRISE! Meet our new little lady! Our Asian elephant herd has officially grown by one tiny trunk with the birth of a healthy baby girl – Bluebonnet’s first female calf (third overall) and Brazos’ little sister! This bundle of joy was born in the early morning hours of Monday, Aug. 18, to mom, Bluebonnet, the very first elephant calf born in the history of the Zoo back in 1998. Over the past month, our new little one has remained behind the scenes, bonding with mom and integrating into our multi-generational herd. And the best part? Today, she makes her debut on-habitat in Elephant Springs for all to see! (You can now see her daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., weather permitting) The only thing this baby is missing is … a name! As is tradition, all of the elephant calves born here at the Zoo sport Texas-themed names, and for this one, we’re leaning in on the Texas flower-themed names, as a nod to mom, Bluebonnet. Read more about the name choices and vote for your favorite from now until Oct. 6, at the link in our bio! Welcome to the herd, little one! "
Exciting news from the Fort Worth zoo!
Name Our Baby Elephant
Exciting news from the Fort Worth zoo!
Name Our Baby Elephant
Phenomenal news!!
It's an understatement to say that this was long awaited, especially for Fort Worth to get a little girl after a run of male calves. Perfect news for the future of Bluebonnet's matriline.
Not the biggest fan of the name choices. Birdie sounds very weird for an elephant, and Susie is one of the most generic name you could suggest. Rosie was my favourite of all three, but we already have another Rosie at ABQ, and a Rose at Oregon. It'll be interesting to see what the public ends up going with - Birdie seems to be a favourite thus far judging from socials comments.
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
Absolutely insane news! Aside from this, Brazos and Travis will probably be living together more now that this calf has been born, probably this was the intention to introduce them recently.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
I can see why Birdie would be the favorite given the theme of "B" names that Fort Worth usually goes with! (Minus Travis of course)
It is great to see Romeo sire a female as well! Hopefully he continues the trend with Belle!
Mr.Ivory
Well-Known Member
Amazing news for Fort Worth, as they can continue to grow Rasha's matriline, and also amazing news for Bluebonnet as she finally has daughter of her own, hopefully Belle, is due sometime next year.
Wisp O' Mist
Well-Known Member
I rather like Birdie myself, it's certainly my choice!
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
In extremely positive news for elephants worldwide, the UK's Chester Zoo has developed an EEHV vaccine! It has been in development since 2021, and has been determined to be safe as well effective in creating virus antibody levels.
Chester Zoo on Instagram
While the US does have their own vaccine, it is incredible to see that there is another line of defense out there.
For those interested, here is the press release as well
We’ve developed the world’s first elephant virus vaccine | Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo on Instagram
While the US does have their own vaccine, it is incredible to see that there is another line of defense out there.
For those interested, here is the press release as well
We’ve developed the world’s first elephant virus vaccine | Chester Zoo
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All advances to attack this deadly disease welcomed! I was curious which subtypes of EEHV it was targeting or if it targets multiple, but didn’t see. Curious if anyone has that info.
Chester Zoo has lost seven calves that tested positive for EEHV1:
1.0 Raman (2006) Died 2009
1.0 Nayan (2010) Died 2013
0.1 Jamilah (2011) Died 2013
1.0 Hari (2012) Died 2015
0.1 Bala (2013) Died 2015
0.1 Nandita (2015) Died 2018
1.0 Aayu (2017) Died 2018
And one adult cow that died of a co-infection of EEHV4 and a bacterial infection:
0.1 Sithami (1997) Died 2018
Since the US vaccine is targeted towards EEHV1A (which Indali at Chester Zoo also survived), I would assume their vaccine is at least targeted towards this strain; but may also target the EEHV4 strain since this has contributed to the death of an adult breeding cow in Chester’s herd.