For the toronto zoo? or Cali? Torontos africans are going to Cali (finally!) because the environment is unsuitable for them here in Canada. As for the move to Cali, I dont know much on it at this time
For the toronto zoo? or Cali? Torontos africans are going to Cali (finally!) because the environment is unsuitable for them here in Canada. As for the move to Cali, I dont know much on it at this time
Toronto´s average annual temperatures are almost identical to Prague´s or Berlin´s. If Toronto is unsuitable for eles, then half of european zoos should give up elephant keeping too. Yet I can´t see it comming, the trend is exactly the oposite here.
Not to forget that African Elephants can also occur in East African Mountains up to 5000 meters, where snow and ice can be found. (Of course they do not live their whole live there).
In many european zoos with comparable climatic situation as in Toronto, elephants can use their outdoor exhibit during winter for a few hours, even when there is snow. And as far as I know, none of those animals got severe ill/sick because of that in the last years.
Also, I can understand why Toronto is able to built (and pay) a new Giant Panda habitat with all the many regulations of the chinese and with animals on loan, but cannot get (collect) money for a new GOOD or at least SUFFICENT indoor exhibit for their own elephants. I know, this isn't a cheap thing either. But on the other hand: When a complete private zoo in France - Beauval - is able to buit a simple but wellsized indoor exhibit for A.e., so a big city like Toronto should be able too (It has not to be a "natural Savannah", just a exhibit, big enough for all the things the animals and keepers need. For the visitors, views from outside thru one or two windows would suffice).
Not to forget that African Elephants can also occur in East African Mountains up to 5000 meters, where snow and ice can be found. (Of course they do not live their whole live there).
In many european zoos with comparable climatic situation as in Toronto, elephants can use their outdoor exhibit during winter for a few hours, even when there is snow. And as far as I know, none of those animals got severe ill/sick because of that in the last years.
Also, I can understand why Toronto is able to built (and pay) a new Giant Panda habitat with all the many regulations of the chinese and with animals on loan, but cannot get (collect) money for a new GOOD or at least SUFFICENT indoor exhibit for their own elephants. I know, this isn't a cheap thing either. But on the other hand: When a complete private zoo in France - Beauval - is able to buit a simple but wellsized indoor exhibit for A.e., so a big city like Toronto should be able too (It has not to be a "natural Savannah", just a exhibit, big enough for all the things the animals and keepers need. For the visitors, views from outside thru one or two windows would suffice).
Originally the toronto zoo was supposed to create a new elephant exhibit, but it was decided that it would be better for the elephants to be sent away. I don't know if it was the zoo's or city council's decision, but I agree that if many european zoos have nice elephant exhibits in climates similar to toronto, the toronto zoo could build an exhibit too.
There was a report a couple of years ago that stated the cost of a new African Elephant exhibit at Toronto Zoo would have been around $40 million, and that fact alone (combined with the numerous recent deaths and freezing temperatures) sealed the deal that the elephants would depart Canada's largest city. There has simply been a lot of controversy over the destination of choice: PAWS Sanctuary. One of the major differences between European and North American zoos is that very few zoos in the United States build the gargantuan elephant barns that are common around Europe, and seemingly all of the biggest and best elephant exhibits are found in the southern (warmer!) half of the United States.
One of the major differences between European and North American zoos is that very few zoos in the United States build the gargantuan elephant barns that are common around Europe
OK, the whole situation in Toronto is quite unlucky. But in a sence, I see some similarity with my home zoo. It seems, elephants tend to be politically important.
In Toronto, local politicians decided to stop keeping elephants in their zoo and send them to PAWS, against the decision of the zoo director.
In Prague, local politicians decided to prohibit the planned end of keeing elephants in the zoo and sending them away, against the opinion of the zoo director.
Since when do know politicians more about animal husbandry then zoo profesionals?
The tendency is for zoos in the northern United States to simply get rid of their elephants due to concerns in regards to cold weather and the cost of constructing exhibits that cost tens of millions of dollars. Already zoos like Detroit, Philadelphia, Brookfield, Lincoln Park, Mesker Park, Henry Vilas, Anchorage (Alaska), Omaha and San Francisco have all sent their elephants away to southern pastures. Vancouver Zoo in Canada sent its elephants away, Calgary Zoo (Canada) is planning to in the next couple of years, Toronto (Canada) is sending its elephants away, Point Defiance and Bronx have also made announcements that upon the death of another elephant or two then the species will be phased out of their collections.
That makes 13 North American zoos that (apart from perhaps San Francisco) exist in temperate to cold climates. I could easily provide a list of at least a dozen zoos in the southern United States that have built mega elephant exhibits several acres in size, and the two major American elephant sanctuaries (PAWS and Tennessee) and the new Elephant Center (Florida) are all located in warmer surroundings. It seems reasonable that many major zoos in the north are sending their elephants away to major zoos in the south that are building huge exhibits at an enormous cost. At the end of the day the statistics show that elephants have not influenced attendance patterns as almost all of the zoos that no longer have elephants have been breaking all-time records for attendance! What will be interesting to see is whether the elephants thriving in the warmer temperatures (for surely they must be much more content in comparison to being shut inside a barn for 50% of their lives) will begin to live longer, healthier lives in captivity.
The tendency is for zoos in the northern United States to simply get rid of their elephants due to concerns in regards to cold weather and the cost of constructing exhibits that cost tens of millions of dollars. Already zoos like Detroit, Philadelphia, Brookfield, Lincoln Park, Mesker Park, Henry Vilas, Anchorage (Alaska), Omaha and San Francisco have all sent their elephants away to southern pastures. Vancouver Zoo in Canada sent its elephants away, Calgary Zoo (Canada) is planning to in the next couple of years, Toronto (Canada) is sending its elephants away, Point Defiance and Bronx have also made announcements that upon the death of another elephant or two then the species will be phased out of their collections.
That makes 13 North American zoos that (apart from perhaps San Francisco) exist in temperate to cold climates. I could easily provide a list of at least a dozen zoos in the southern United States that have built mega elephant exhibits several acres in size, and the two major American elephant sanctuaries (PAWS and Tennessee) and the new Elephant Center (Florida) are all located in warmer surroundings. It seems reasonable that many major zoos in the north are sending their elephants away to major zoos in the south that are building huge exhibits at an enormous cost. At the end of the day the statistics show that elephants have not influenced attendance patterns as almost all of the zoos that no longer have elephants have been breaking all-time records for attendance! What will be interesting to see is whether the elephants thriving in the warmer temperatures (for surely they must be much more content in comparison to being shut inside a barn for 50% of their lives) will begin to live longer, healthier lives in captivity.
I can't ignore your good arguments. But even if it's so, there are some point of inconsistent:
Yes, the zoos you are mentioned are phasing out elephants (unfortunately). But if temperatures/the climate combinated with costs is the MAIN problem, then I wonder why most of these zoos still keep gorillas, okapis and other tropical rainforest animals (whose probably need not that much space like elephants but are much more sensitive on temperatures and have to spend MORE then 50% of their lives indoors). And why has bronx zoo acquired white rhinos recently? Those animals need roughly the same amount of space and climate conditions as elephants.
I also share @Maguari's opinion that many zoos in Canada and NORTHERN USA are willing to spend money for expensive indoor rainforests and many different animals but elephants. Even when they are only on loan.
To the all-time-records in attendance: Well, most of those zoos knew (fortunately) how to replace the elephants adequately. But it is no secret, that something NEW is always drawing more interest then something you already have. In a few years, the lack of elephants will make itself felt. Kids always loved "charismatic" elephants more then most of "boring" northern animals like musk oxen, moose, deers etc. I am sure that - e.g. - many people in Chicago still missing the elephants (as the people in Frankfurt, Germany, do - decades after the last elephant left the zoo). If they could choose, they would reclaim the eles immediately.
Finally, for the record: I am absolutely agree that there are many more problems with keeping elephants then just climate and costs. So I am not always against it, when a zoo decides to phase out those pachyderms.
