Australian Asian Elephant Population 2025
- Thread starter Zoofan15
- Start date
Here’s the link:
https://www.facebook.com/TheSydneyZoo/videos/1492320918510508/?app=fbl
They’ve certainly grown a lot since I last saw them 13 months ago. They’re on to become impressive young bulls given they’re already 3.5 tonnes at 11 years of age.
thanks. They are big teenagers for sure!
boy. That makes me nervous with the keeper and the cable just between them. At least he’s keeping an eye.
they will be impressive bulls one day.
I believe their sire is an impressive bull at the Dublin zoo
Thank you @Zoofan15
Yes. Upali is around 5 tonnes; and his own sire (Maxi) was around 5.6 tonnes.
This is Upali:
Attachments
Upali is in Belgium now. Aunt Bo is currently the breeding bull at Dublin.
Yes I thought he had moved I seem to recall he was a large bull
He could still pack on a bit more size still
Rather short, but stocky. He moved from Ireland years back, and just moved to Belgium from France.
Ashoka's maternal grandfather, Alexander, is also a huge bull; weighing over six tonnes! I expect him to the bigger of the two brothers eventually (if he isn't already).
It will be interesting to see in the future which of the Sydney bulls they will end up using or both of them?
I imagine it will depend on a variety of factors. Although from a genetics stand point, Kavi is the obvious choice, considering Ashoka descends from the very well represented Motek x Warda line.
It really depends on what the future holds for Monarto as a facility. If they fail to establish a matriline, it may eventuate that just one of them (likely Kavi) will breed at Werribee.
Dubbo are better placed with two unrelated bulls (one of which is a founded). Their juveniles are also unrelated to each other.
I had hoped that one of the sons of Radza ( 7 tons) the amazing bull at Emmen could have made its way down under his size and tusks were impressive indeed!
Never say never!
I anticipate the future of the Australasian breeding programme will rely on the imports of European bulls over the decades to come. They have a large surplus and imports from South East Asia are unlikely.
Anjalee’s Calf Due Within the Month
I was advised earlier this year that Anjalee’s calf was anticipated anytime from late October through to mid-late December, with estimates predicting the calf would be born the first week of December. With this in mind, we can anticipate Anjalee’s calf will be born within the next month.
This will be the third birth for Taronga Western Plains Zoo, following the birth of Sabai to Thong Dee in 2016; and Kanlaya to Porntip in 2018. Sabai’s birth was announced the following day; Kanlaya’s after four days, with no prior mention either of their mothers were in labour. It’s therefore reasonable to expect there will be no announcement Anjalee is in labour, with a birth announcement forthcoming within seven days of the calf being delivered. In contrast to the two aforementioned births, this will be Anjalee’s first calf, so the risks are (statistically) higher. It will be the first time Anjalee has seen a neonate calf at least since her import into the region as a nine year old.
Statistics:
- This will be Australia’s 15th elephant calf.
- 8.6 calves have been born so far, making this the 9th bull calf or 7th cow calf.
- This will be Australia’s first elephant calf since Kati was born in January 2023.
- This will be Gung’s fifth calf and Anjalee’s first.
- This will be Dubbo’s third calf.
- Anjalee will be the first founder cow to deliver her first calf since 2013.
- If the calf is female, it will create the region’s fourth matriline (and the second at Dubbo).
I was advised earlier this year that Anjalee’s calf was anticipated anytime from late October through to mid-late December, with estimates predicting the calf would be born the first week of December. With this in mind, we can anticipate Anjalee’s calf will be born within the next month.
This will be the third birth for Taronga Western Plains Zoo, following the birth of Sabai to Thong Dee in 2016; and Kanlaya to Porntip in 2018. Sabai’s birth was announced the following day; Kanlaya’s after four days, with no prior mention either of their mothers were in labour. It’s therefore reasonable to expect there will be no announcement Anjalee is in labour, with a birth announcement forthcoming within seven days of the calf being delivered. In contrast to the two aforementioned births, this will be Anjalee’s first calf, so the risks are (statistically) higher. It will be the first time Anjalee has seen a neonate calf at least since her import into the region as a nine year old.
Statistics:
- This will be Australia’s 15th elephant calf.
- 8.6 calves have been born so far, making this the 9th bull calf or 7th cow calf.
- This will be Australia’s first elephant calf since Kati was born in January 2023.
- This will be Gung’s fifth calf and Anjalee’s first.
- This will be Dubbo’s third calf.
- Anjalee will be the first founder cow to deliver her first calf since 2013.
- If the calf is female, it will create the region’s fourth matriline (and the second at Dubbo).
1.0 Luk Chai
Born at Taronga Zoo 04/07/2009
Sent to Taronga Western Plains Zoo 30/04/2015
Sent to Melbourne Zoo 03/12/2020
Sent to Werribee Open Range Zoo 06/02/2025
Sire: Gung; Dam: Thong Dee
0.1 Mali
Born at Melbourne Zoo 16/01/2010
Sent to Werribee Open Range Zoo 10/02/2025
Sire: Bong Su; Dam: Dokkoon
1.0 Pathi Harn
Born at Taronga Zoo 10/03/2010
Sent to Taronga Western Plains Zoo 24/04/2015
Sire: Bong Su; Dam: Porntip
1.0 Ongard
Born at Melbourne Zoo 10/09/2010
Sent to Zoo Miami 09/05/2018
Sire: Bong Su; Dam: Kulab
0.1 Tukta
Born at Taronga Zoo 02/11/2010
Died at Taronga Zoo 03/09/2018
Sire: Gung; Dam: Pak Boon
1.0 Sanook
Born at Melbourne Zoo 17/01/2013
Died at Melbourne Zoo 03/12/2013
Sire: Bong Su; Dam: Num-Oi
1.0 Man Jai
Born at Melbourne Zoo 08/12/2013
Died at Melbourne Zoo 24/08/2023
Sire: Bong Su; Dam: Dokkoon
0.1 Willow
Born at Melbourne Zoo 15/06/2016
Died at Melbourne Zoo 02/08/2016
Sire: Bong Su; Dam: Num-Oi
1.0 Sabai
Born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo 02/11/2016
Sire: Gung; Dam: Thong Dee
1.0 Jai Dee
Born at Taronga Zoo 26/05/2017
Died at Taronga Zoo 13/10/2020
Sire: Gung; Dam: Pak Boon
0.1 Kanlaya
Born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo 14/06/2018
Sire: Putra Mas; Dam: Porntip
0.1 Aiyara
Born at Melbourne Zoo 16/11/2022
Sent to Werribee Open Range Zoo 10/02/2025
Sire: Luk Chai; Dam: Dokkoon
1.0 Roi-Yim
Born at Melbourne Zoo 25/11/2022
Sent to Werribee Open Range Zoo 10/02/2025
Sire: Luk Chai; Dam: Mali
0.1 Kati
Born at Melbourne Zoo 01/01/2023
Sent to Werribee Open Range Zoo 08/02/2025
Sire: Luk Chai; Dam: Num-Oi
Born at Taronga Zoo 04/07/2009
Sent to Taronga Western Plains Zoo 30/04/2015
Sent to Melbourne Zoo 03/12/2020
Sent to Werribee Open Range Zoo 06/02/2025
Sire: Gung; Dam: Thong Dee
0.1 Mali
Born at Melbourne Zoo 16/01/2010
Sent to Werribee Open Range Zoo 10/02/2025
Sire: Bong Su; Dam: Dokkoon
1.0 Pathi Harn
Born at Taronga Zoo 10/03/2010
Sent to Taronga Western Plains Zoo 24/04/2015
Sire: Bong Su; Dam: Porntip
1.0 Ongard
Born at Melbourne Zoo 10/09/2010
Sent to Zoo Miami 09/05/2018
Sire: Bong Su; Dam: Kulab
0.1 Tukta
Born at Taronga Zoo 02/11/2010
Died at Taronga Zoo 03/09/2018
Sire: Gung; Dam: Pak Boon
1.0 Sanook
Born at Melbourne Zoo 17/01/2013
Died at Melbourne Zoo 03/12/2013
Sire: Bong Su; Dam: Num-Oi
1.0 Man Jai
Born at Melbourne Zoo 08/12/2013
Died at Melbourne Zoo 24/08/2023
Sire: Bong Su; Dam: Dokkoon
0.1 Willow
Born at Melbourne Zoo 15/06/2016
Died at Melbourne Zoo 02/08/2016
Sire: Bong Su; Dam: Num-Oi
1.0 Sabai
Born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo 02/11/2016
Sire: Gung; Dam: Thong Dee
1.0 Jai Dee
Born at Taronga Zoo 26/05/2017
Died at Taronga Zoo 13/10/2020
Sire: Gung; Dam: Pak Boon
0.1 Kanlaya
Born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo 14/06/2018
Sire: Putra Mas; Dam: Porntip
0.1 Aiyara
Born at Melbourne Zoo 16/11/2022
Sent to Werribee Open Range Zoo 10/02/2025
Sire: Luk Chai; Dam: Dokkoon
1.0 Roi-Yim
Born at Melbourne Zoo 25/11/2022
Sent to Werribee Open Range Zoo 10/02/2025
Sire: Luk Chai; Dam: Mali
0.1 Kati
Born at Melbourne Zoo 01/01/2023
Sent to Werribee Open Range Zoo 08/02/2025
Sire: Luk Chai; Dam: Num-Oi
Guessing the Gender/DOB/Weight
In the lead up to the birth of Australia’s first elephant calf in three years, I thought it would be fun to make our predictions of the gender, DOB and weight of the calf.
I’ve included the records of the previous 14 calves in case people want to use them to guide their predictions:
Sire - Gung:
1.0 Luk Chai born 2009 (Thong Dee): 96kg
0.1 Tukta born 2010 (Pak Boon): 120kg
1.0 Sabai born 2016 (Thong Dee): 101kg
1.0 Jai Dee born 2017 (Pak Boon): 130kg
Sire - Bong Su:
0.1 Mali born 2010 (Dokkoon): 111kg
1.0 Pathi Harn born 2010 (Porntip): 116kg
1.0 Ongard born 2010 (Kulab): 142 kg
1.0 Man Jai born 2013 (Dokkoon): 131kg
1.0 Sanook born 2013 (Num Oi): 131kg
Sire - Putra Mas:
0.1 Willow born 2016 (Num Oi): 103kg
0.1 Kanlaya born 2018 (Porntip): 120kg
Sire - Luk Chai:
0.1 Aiyara born 2022 (Dokkoon) 120 kg
1.0 Roi Yim born 2022 (Mali) 110 kg
0.1 Kati born 2022 (Num Oi) 130 kg
————————
My prediction:
- Female calf
- 125kg
- 14/12/2025
Despite Gung having sired three bull calves to one cow, I’m going to optimistically predict a female calf. In any case, four calves isn’t a large sample size; and it could be argued his son has near balanced out the ratio of calves. I’m predicting Anjalee’s calf will make it 50:50 for this father and son duo.
Irregardless of the gender, I’m predicting a calf over 120kg - especially since the calf is heading towards overdue. Anjalee is a large cow; though the calf being her first and Gung being the sire may temper this somewhat. I’m guessing 125kg for a female calf (and 130kg if a male calf; though as per above, my prediction is the calf is female).
In the lead up to the birth of Australia’s first elephant calf in three years, I thought it would be fun to make our predictions of the gender, DOB and weight of the calf.
I’ve included the records of the previous 14 calves in case people want to use them to guide their predictions:
Sire - Gung:
1.0 Luk Chai born 2009 (Thong Dee): 96kg
0.1 Tukta born 2010 (Pak Boon): 120kg
1.0 Sabai born 2016 (Thong Dee): 101kg
1.0 Jai Dee born 2017 (Pak Boon): 130kg
Sire - Bong Su:
0.1 Mali born 2010 (Dokkoon): 111kg
1.0 Pathi Harn born 2010 (Porntip): 116kg
1.0 Ongard born 2010 (Kulab): 142 kg
1.0 Man Jai born 2013 (Dokkoon): 131kg
1.0 Sanook born 2013 (Num Oi): 131kg
Sire - Putra Mas:
0.1 Willow born 2016 (Num Oi): 103kg
0.1 Kanlaya born 2018 (Porntip): 120kg
Sire - Luk Chai:
0.1 Aiyara born 2022 (Dokkoon) 120 kg
1.0 Roi Yim born 2022 (Mali) 110 kg
0.1 Kati born 2022 (Num Oi) 130 kg
————————
My prediction:
- Female calf
- 125kg
- 14/12/2025
Despite Gung having sired three bull calves to one cow, I’m going to optimistically predict a female calf. In any case, four calves isn’t a large sample size; and it could be argued his son has near balanced out the ratio of calves. I’m predicting Anjalee’s calf will make it 50:50 for this father and son duo.
Irregardless of the gender, I’m predicting a calf over 120kg - especially since the calf is heading towards overdue. Anjalee is a large cow; though the calf being her first and Gung being the sire may temper this somewhat. I’m guessing 125kg for a female calf (and 130kg if a male calf; though as per above, my prediction is the calf is female).
I too believe a female calf is likely I hope when/if a later rebreeding is done perhaps they might do an AI with Putma Mas!
A calf from Putra Mas and Anjalee would be extremely valuable. In contrast to a bull calf from Gung and Anjalee, which would have minimal application to the breeding programme due to Gung’s representation, a bull calf sired by Putra Mas would be unrelated to every cow at Werribee.
For the same reason, Monarto would be in the rare situation should they breed, where a bull calf from their potential breeding pair would be almost as a celebrated as a cow calf; with the latter slightly more favoured due to the implications for succession (1.2 calves from Putra Mas and Pak Boon representing the ideal scenario).
Hopefully all goes well with the birth - although with Anjalee being a first time mother, there's always going to be some form of risk involved. Anjalee also hasn't witnessed a birth in a while, so hopefully her instincts take over. She will have Porntip, who's an experienced mother, to assist her with the birth.
My prediction for the calf is for it to be a male (just a gut feeling). Although I would love to see Anjalee welcome a daughter (for obvious reasons), a bull calf of her's and Gung's would be quite impressive (size wise). With that in mind, I'm predicting a bull calf born Boxing Day, tipping the scales at 135 kg. Will be interesting to see how our predictions end up eventuating - but first and foremost, I'm mostly just hoping for a healthy calf and a successful approach taken to mothering by Anjalee.