It‘s because elephant transfers are easier, safer and cheaper within the same country and over short distances. Keepers can also easily visit and prepare for the transfer without and language barriers. So whenever possible, elephant transfers are done within the same country or neighboring countries.
Asian Elephants in Europe 2025
- Thread starter MennoPebesma
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It‘s because elephant transfers are easier, safer and cheaper within the same country and over short distances. Keepers can also easily visit and prepare for the transfer without and language barriers. So whenever possible, elephant transfers are done within the same country or neighboring countries.
Denny
Member
The studbook Keeper of the Asian elephants is Diergaarde Blijdorp in Rotterdam. Blijdorp transported two of their female elephants to Washington a few years ago.
In an article they say:
"Over the past ten to twenty years, the elephant herds in the European Population Management Programme (EEP) have reproduced very well. For this reason, population growth in Europe is currently being slowed. In the US, the situation is quite different. There, too few offspring are being born. Currently, not even enough to maintain the zoo population. Since the population in Europe is actually growing too much, while in the US it is in danger of shrinking, the idea has been conceived to bring fertile female elephants from the EEP to the US. In this way, we hope to build a second successful reserve population.
As the European studbook keeper, we have been in close contact with the American studbook keeper for Asian elephants for some time. The goal is to strengthen the ties between these two separate studbooks and perhaps eventually establish a single, global studbook. By joining forces, we hope to make the greatest possible contribution to the conservation of the Asian elephant."
and Radza has very limited breeding daughters as well. So far I know none of his sons has produced offspring but that will change in time hopefully.
Yunha
Well-Known Member
After seeing this I remember the strange incident regarding the four young bulls indeed. Thanks for the addition.
This is interesting, thanks!
I see indeed how these practical circumstances can add to such a decision. It seems more comfortable for a breeding bull that has to move a few times in his life, to not travel endless distances every time. Might make the paperwork situation a bit easier indeed.
And afterall, "keeping relatives in the same country" is a fictional border in this case.
I wish I could read more about how these transfers come to be or how matchups are selected, but I can well understand that information not being public.
He is healthy and doing well The first days are always fragile… but filled with joy, emotion, and above all, immense hope for the future of this endangered species That night, our cameras were there. Every minute, every breath, every glance was captured at the very heart of the herd… Moments of rare intensity that will remain forever engraved in the hearts of our keepers Siam now has a playmate… and already a strong bond is growing between them, woven in the heart of their family. Two young elephants, two curious hearts, ready to discover the world together Protected by the love of their mothers and guided by the entire herd, they are about to live their first great adventures in the Kingdom of Ganesha Welcome to the Pairi Daiza family, little treasure Stay tuned to witness his first steps in the Park. #pairidaiza #asianelephant #elephantbaby #elephantbirth #wildlifeconservation #animalbirth #babyanimal #endangeredspecies #elephantlove"
Zurich has announced the passing of Zali. He was 5 months old. It seems that it's originally due to an accident, which lead to health complications.
Source : Facebook Zoo Zürich
Source : Facebook Zoo Zürich
Wisp O' Mist
Well-Known Member
Europe doesn't have SSPs, they have EEPs.
Really surprised that in all these years it seems Zoo Zuerich has hardly yet come to grips with elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) and the string of deaths more or less killed off its growth potential for the current breeding group.
(don't get me wrong ..., I really hope they do!).
This observation while recognising the tragic and very deplorable loss and the immediate cause of death of the latest calf....
Whilst Zurich did have a run of EEHV deaths in the late 2010's - the last four deaths of calves (including the most recent death of Zali), were not from EEHV.
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I know ... that and thanks for reminding us!
Further to what I observed over EEHV deaths at Zuerich ... I do wonder the how and why the string of deaths not being broken here. I am not suggesting anything at all and just wondering if and how this is possible at their state of the art elephant facility. FWIW: 1 death is always possible, 2 deaths can be said to be most unfortunate ..... but 3 deaths is almost suggesting something ... more systemic. But honestly, I just don't know!!!
All four recent deaths were simply accidents, I think it's unfair to be critical of Zurich as a result.
Two were accidentally killed at birth, another was born with undeveloped organs and Zali passed after suffering an accidental leg injury. Simply terrible luck all around.
You have to be critical with these numbers. Just two days ago I read a report from Switzerland about Zurich's elephants. I have not been following the incidents at Zurich closely myself and cannot judge on it, but it was said that they lost six elephants straight now in only five years. You can't simply go on saying "oh, it was only bad luck, let's go on and see if we have more luck then." You need an in depth analysis and do changes. After all the unfortunate truth is that every death of a young elephant is bad news in the media and raises the number of people who are questioning that it's right to keep elephants in zoos.
Of course changes have to be made, but I think it's critical to still assume Zurich was and is still at fault. I too have read articles on it written by the ARA's, but as is most media articles (especially those by ARA's), they're written from one side.
Some background information for you;
The first two calves passed from EEHV - you can't blame them for that. They also lost two newborn calves within quick succession back in 2020, of whom were accidentally killed at birth. The easy fix would have been to then isolate the mother/s at birth for their next calves, and Zurich seemingly did so as the next two calves born survived birth initially. One of the calves was born with a medical condition and was essentially inevitably going to pass. And the most recent, Zali, passed following a leg injury (which is just a tragic accident). I'm sure they would have deduced how that occurred, and have made changes to ensure it doesn't occur again.
It would be one thing if Zurich had elephants continuously pass from the same cause - but it seems like they have just had poor luck.
Fair comments! Thanks..
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
Fantastic!! After the two tragic losses last year, it is incredible to see a calf on the ground there at last!
It is also extremely heartwarming to read that they were able to intervene and get this calf the colostrum she needed to survive when she wasn't nursing, as this is what ultimately killed one of the calves last year. Kudos to the team!
After reading the press release, I am not very optimistic for the baby in Blackpool. She is still not nursing from Tara, and this is really bad news. Even if the keepers are able to get some milk from Tara on a daily basis, the calf most likely relies mostly on formula, and sadly most formula-raised Asian elephant calves do not survive. You can see in the pictures that the calf is in poor condition, the ribs, hips and the spine are too visible. I am really sorry about this…