Asian Elephants in Europe 2025
- Thread starter MennoPebesma
- Start date
Mr.Ivory
Well-Known Member
There is now official confirmation that Shu Thu Zar is pregnant and expecting sometime in the beginning of December
Kölner Zoo
Kölner Zoo
Bindu is probably the sire then.
Today, for the first time, both adult bulls, Sibu and Yadanar, were together with the three adult females.
The two bulls went outside together first: the bond between the two appears to be strong. It has been noticed that since meeting Sibu, Yadanar seems to be paying more attention to the rest of the group.
When the three female elephants joined the two bulls, they were greeted calmly. Not much later, the five were eating together. The elephants were also communicating with each other through trunk contact and other forms of communication.
Source: Twee volwassen olifantenstieren bij kudde
Translated version for those who could not get their page to translate from danish to english.
In WILDLANDS Adventure Zoo Emmen, a big milestone has been reached today for the elephant herd in the park! For the first time, both adult bulls, Sibu (21 years old) and Yadanar (16 years old), were among the three adult females at the same time. This meeting, which is the ultimate focus of the entire introduction process, was calm and quiet. Two adult breeding bulls in one herd is almost never found in elephants.
The two bulls are quietly in the Elephant Valley, while one of the ladies is eating in the background. (text continues below the photo)
The two bulls came out together: the click between the two turns out to be strong. It is striking that since the introduction to the slightly older Sibu, Yadanar seems to have paid more attention to the rest of the group; As if he feels that he has to take up his role as an adult bull more. This is a first observation for the time being, but it is clear that he is visibly learning to behave like an adult elephant, including the sparring and social exercises that go with it.
When the three female elephants joined the two bulls, they were calmly greeted. Not much later, the five were eating elephants together like a 'bunch'. It was also visible that the elephants communicated with each other through trunk contact and other forms. With this, the bull Sibu, who arrived two weeks ago, has taken all the steps of the introduction.
Yadanar and Sibu (with tusks) among the women. (text continues below the photos)
Looking back: the steps since the arrival on November 6, 2025
• November 6: The 21-year-old bull Sibu arrives and calmly makes trunk contact with young bulls Mauk and Manoa.
• 7 November: Acquaintance with the three adult females is calm; A first breeding attempt is even seen. Varied compositions to let Sibu get used to it at his own pace.
• November 10: First physical meeting with Mauk and Manoa is relaxed.
• 13 November: Introduction with the 16-year-old bull Yadanar. The two react in a controlled manner, seek each other out and later even eat together with the young men.
Flexible enclosures for well-being
The elephant enclosure in Emmen offers spacious indoor and outdoor areas, its own bull enclosure and a lot of flexibility. This allows caretakers to choose the best compositions over and over again, separate animals safely or gradually let them get used to it; with well-being always as the highest priority. This allows two adult breeding bulls to stay in the park, even if there is no click between them.
Role in European species conservation
Sibu will play a valuable, dual role in WILDLANDS:
- he helps Yadanar in his social development, in addition, an experienced bull offers rich opportunities for natural behavior and learning processes in the young males Mauk and Manoa.
- and can contribute to the desire for young in two of the adult cows, as advised by the European Species Conservation Programme (EEP).
In WILDLANDS Adventure Zoo Emmen, a big milestone has been reached today for the elephant herd in the park! For the first time, both adult bulls, Sibu (21 years old) and Yadanar (16 years old), were among the three adult females at the same time. This meeting, which is the ultimate focus of the entire introduction process, was calm and quiet. Two adult breeding bulls in one herd is almost never found in elephants.
The two bulls are quietly in the Elephant Valley, while one of the ladies is eating in the background. (text continues below the photo)
The two bulls came out together: the click between the two turns out to be strong. It is striking that since the introduction to the slightly older Sibu, Yadanar seems to have paid more attention to the rest of the group; As if he feels that he has to take up his role as an adult bull more. This is a first observation for the time being, but it is clear that he is visibly learning to behave like an adult elephant, including the sparring and social exercises that go with it.
When the three female elephants joined the two bulls, they were calmly greeted. Not much later, the five were eating elephants together like a 'bunch'. It was also visible that the elephants communicated with each other through trunk contact and other forms. With this, the bull Sibu, who arrived two weeks ago, has taken all the steps of the introduction.
Yadanar and Sibu (with tusks) among the women. (text continues below the photos)
Looking back: the steps since the arrival on November 6, 2025
• November 6: The 21-year-old bull Sibu arrives and calmly makes trunk contact with young bulls Mauk and Manoa.
• 7 November: Acquaintance with the three adult females is calm; A first breeding attempt is even seen. Varied compositions to let Sibu get used to it at his own pace.
• November 10: First physical meeting with Mauk and Manoa is relaxed.
• 13 November: Introduction with the 16-year-old bull Yadanar. The two react in a controlled manner, seek each other out and later even eat together with the young men.
Flexible enclosures for well-being
The elephant enclosure in Emmen offers spacious indoor and outdoor areas, its own bull enclosure and a lot of flexibility. This allows caretakers to choose the best compositions over and over again, separate animals safely or gradually let them get used to it; with well-being always as the highest priority. This allows two adult breeding bulls to stay in the park, even if there is no click between them.
Role in European species conservation
Sibu will play a valuable, dual role in WILDLANDS:
- he helps Yadanar in his social development, in addition, an experienced bull offers rich opportunities for natural behavior and learning processes in the young males Mauk and Manoa.
- and can contribute to the desire for young in two of the adult cows, as advised by the European Species Conservation Programme (EEP).
Perhaps it didn't work because it's in Dutch, not Danish.
Perhaps it didn't work because it's in Dutch, not Danish.
thanks! I was too quick and didn’t check the language! But I could get it translated.
Yadanar seems to be a quick learner. Sibu demonstrated how it should be done with Shwe Zin in Yadanar's presence. After which Yadanar also made several serious attempts to mate with Ma Yay Yee.
while Sibu is in the same enclosure? No aggression during mating attempts?
Yes, both bulls were together in one enclosure at the time of the mating attempts. According to people who witnessed this, Sibu and Shwe Zin were too interested in each other to bother with Yadanar and Ma Yay Yee.
thank goodness. I was afraid there would be a blown out fight.
Mr.Ivory
Well-Known Member
And in one of the attempts, it appears he actually managed to successfully breed her
De olifantenkudde van WILDLANDS | 'Beweging' bij de groep olifanten | Facebook
yep. Looks like it is successful penetration.
they will have to do dna testing on any calves if the matings are successful.