They're managed through protected contact.Does anyone know if White Oak manages the elephants in free contact or protected contact?
They're managed through protected contact.Does anyone know if White Oak manages the elephants in free contact or protected contact?
Only just realized that when Casey was switched from Fort Worth for Romeo back in 2015, this turned out to be one of the best bull swaps we could have imagined, as Casey has now sired eight offspring with four living (plus a few more potentially as you mention), and Romeo also has three calves at Fort Worth, it worked out for both facilities!I’m not sure if this has been shared here before, but while browsing the Federal Register, I came across a breeding permit application from the White Oak Conservation Center . The application appears to be from December 2024 and includes detailed records of births and deaths within their Asian elephant herd.
On page 41, the application summarizes all births from the past five years:
We already know of four calves currently living at the facility:
However, the document lists four additional births that did not survive. On page 44, it lists all deaths from the past five years, including two stillborn male calves and a female calf “euthanized due to trauma inflicted by maternal aggression.” Seven other deaths are listed, none explicitly tied to birth, but based on the numbers, the third female born in 2023 was likely among them.
- 0.1 Masala (2021)
- 0.1 Tikka (2022)
- 1.0 Sammy (2023)
- 0.1 Kumari (2023)
Based on the data, these appear to be the calves born from 2020–2023:
Given the pattern of births and the fact that this application was filed in late 2024, it seems likely there are additional living calves born after this application was filed.
- 1.0 Stillborn (2020)
- 0.1 Masala (2021)
- 0.1 Tikka (2022)
- 1.0 Sammy (2023)
- 0.1 Kumari (2023)
- 1.0 Stillborn (2023)
- 0.1 Euthanized (2023)
- 0.1 Unknown (2023)
Found this interesting article regarding the Pittsburgh zoo, around 7 years they planned to import a total of 28 African elephants, 13 of the elephants, two males and 11 females, were ticketed for breeding at the Pittsburgh Zoo’s 724-acre International Conservation Center in Somerset County. Three females each would go to the Kansas City, Maryland, and Memphis zoos. Another six elephants were slated for the Elephant Conservation Center in Natural Bridge.
Pittsburgh Zoo sought to import 28 African elephants | Journal of African Elephants
Quite shocked to see that they intended to acquire the elephants directly from the wild (with no strong reason as to why, besides bolstering their own collections/breeding programs). Besides, they also intended to use techniques for capture that are now extremely frowned upon. I'm not sure why they thought that would've been a good idea in the first place!Found this interesting article regarding the Pittsburgh zoo, around 7 years they planned to import a total of 28 African elephants, 13 of the elephants, two males and 11 females, were ticketed for breeding at the Pittsburgh Zoo’s 724-acre International Conservation Center in Somerset County. Three females each would go to the Kansas City, Maryland, and Memphis zoos. Another six elephants were slated for the Elephant Conservation Center in Natural Bridge.
Pittsburgh Zoo sought to import 28 African elephants | Journal of African Elephants
I don't know for certian, but if I had to wager a guess I would say Sri and Ellie likely no longer get along. It is often the case that once the matriarch dies groups split, and since Sri and Jade share a mother/daughter-like bond she's been kept with Sri versus her grandmother and sisters. They can at least share a fence-line safely, and they have interacted with Jet through a barrier. Pearl is often by herself nowadays, but similarly can share a fence line with at least Jade, Jet and Sri.Does anyone know why Sri, Jade and Jet at Saint Louis are kept separate from the other four cows? I had thought it was only temporary following Jet's birth, but perhaps there's a bigger issue at hand.
I don't know for certian, but if I had to wager a guess I would say Sri and Ellie likely no longer get along. It is often the case that once the matriarch dies groups split, and since Sri and Jade share a mother/daughter-like bond she's been kept with Sri versus her grandmother and sisters. They can at least share a fence-line safely, and they have interacted with Jet through a barrier. Pearl is often by herself nowadays, but similarly can share a fence line with at least Jade, Jet and Sri.
I have tried to ask before about this from multiple sources and never gotten a clear answer from anyone who works there. It would be a shame to keep Jade seperated permanently considering Sri's age and her own lack of daughters currently, but perhaps the situation may change once one of the older cows passes away.
Yeah I don't know why the hell they would think capturing baby elephants is a good idea in our current time. Zoos with elephants are already under massive scrutiny and this would have been a PR nightmare; deservedly so.Quite shocked to see that they intended to acquire the elephants directly from the wild (with no strong reason as to why, besides bolstering their own collections/breeding programs). Besides, they also intended to use techniques for capture that are now extremely frowned upon. I'm not sure why they thought that would've been a good idea in the first place!
There was enough scrutiny from the 2003 and 2016 imports; and those both were from Swaziland, where the elephants were set to be culled anyway.
I would be shocked if they did, it just doesn't seem wise to me. Sri is an aging animal that could very well pass away at anytime, which would leave Jade living entirely on her own aside from her son. Even if she has a daughter in the next three years, she would still be living without the support of other adult cows for years.Given the split, I'd be very curious to see if either matrilline is sent out elsewhere eventually (ex. San Antonio).
The participants are all correct, with the numbers, however the last one was going to VA safari (Eric Mogensen), which meant they could have ended up at several locations (Eric did not want to keep elephants in VA for good reason)
I’m not sure if this has been shared here before, but while browsing the Federal Register, I came across a breeding permit application from the White Oak Conservation Center. The application appears to be from December 2024 and includes detailed records of births and deaths within their Asian elephant herd.
On page 41, the application summarizes all births from the past five years:
Asian Elephant Elephas maximus
We already know of four calves currently living at the facility:
- 3.5 calves born in the last five years; 1.3 survived beyond 30 days.
- 2020: 1.0
- 2021: 0.1
- 2022: 0.1
- 2023: 2.3
However, the document lists four additional births that did not survive. On page 44, it lists all deaths from the past five years, including two stillborn male calves and a female calf “euthanized due to trauma inflicted by maternal aggression.” Seven other deaths are listed, none explicitly tied to birth, but based on the numbers, the third female born in 2023 was likely among them.
- 0.1 Masala (2021)
- 0.1 Tikka (2022)
- 1.0 Sammy (2023)
- 0.1 Kumari (2023)
Based on the data, these appear to be the calves born from 2020–2023:
Given the pattern of births and the fact that this application was filed in late 2024, it seems likely there are additional living calves born after this application was filed.
- 1.0 Stillborn (2020)
- 0.1 Masala (2021)
- 0.1 Tikka (2022)
- 1.0 Sammy (2023)
- 0.1 Kumari (2023)
- 1.0 Stillborn (2023)
- 0.1 Euthanized (2023)
- 0.1 Unknown (2023)
Given the number of calves from 2020–2023, it's quite possible that Casey is the sire of all eight calves born.
And, it's possible that Casey was among the several deceased individuals.
In the grand scheme of things, yes, they have anywhere from 25-32 elephants.
In terms of Asian elephants I believe they hold the most amount of individuals, with only a small handful still being at the Ringling Campus. Last I am aware of they're at around 32 elephants.
Given the Mogensen's piss poor history with the African elephant (Asha) owned by them, I'd consider it a wonderful thing that they didn't get to sink their claws into yet more elephants.
Again you are quite misinformed, its not the same Mogensen
A couple of updates, in 2013, Bonnie and Mala were due to give birth. Romeo was the sire of Mala's calf, while Bonnie was artificially inseminated. In 2016, both Shirley and Sally were expected to give birth, Shirley in September, and Sally was due in November. Charlie was the sire of Shirley's calf, and most likely the sire of Sally's calf.I haven’t seen anyone summarize the occurrences at White Oak Conservation/Center for Elephant Conservation, so here’s a summary of the publicly known births, deaths, and transfers at White Oak/CEC since 2012.
- Jan 23, 2012 - 0.1 Banana (1957) died at CEC.
- Jun 27, 2012 - 0.1 Minyak (1966) died at CEC.
- Aug 13, 2012 - 0.1 Piper (2012) born at CEC to 0.1 Shirley (1995). Sire is 1.0 Romeo (1993).
- Sep 12, 2012 - 0.1 Sid (1967) died at CEC.
- Nov 15, 2012 - 1.0 Doc (1997) transferred from CEC to Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
- Dec 02, 2012 - 0.1 Suzan (1951) died at CEC.
- Dec 15, 2012 - 1.0 Nate (2012) born at CEC to 0.1 Sally (1967). Sire is 1.0 Romeo (1993).
- Jun 27, 2013 - 1.0 Mike (2013) born at CEC to 0.1 Angelica (1997). Sire is 1.0 Romeo (1993).
- Nov 15, 2013 - 0.1 Mala (1967) died at CEC.
- Jun 09, 2015 - 1.0 Romeo (1993) transferred from CEC to Fort Worth Zoo.
- Jun 10, 2015 - 1.0 Casey (1971) transferred from Fort Worth Zoo to CEC.
- Sep 28, 2015 - 0.1 Tova (1972) and 0.1 Asha (2002) transferred from CEC to Tulsa Zoo.
- Jan 25, 2016 - 1.0 Mike (2013) died from EEHV-HD at CEC.
- May 05, 2016 - The last 11 touring elephants retired to CEC, bringing the herd to 39 (10.29.0).
- Jun 27, 2016 - 0.1 Nicole (1975) transferred from CEC to San Antonio Zoo.
- Aug 29, 2016 - 0.1 Karen (1969) transferred from CEC to San Antonio Zoo.
- Nov 29, 2016 - 0.1 Rudy (2002) and 0.1 Sundara (2008) transferred from CEC to Columbus Zoo.
- Dec 31, 2016 - 1.0 Nate (2012) died from EEHV-HD at CEC.
- May 31, 2017 - 0.1 Asha (2002) transferred from Tulsa Zoo to CEC.
- 2020 - 1.0 Smokey (1984) transferred from CEC to Two Tails Ranch.
- Sep 23, 2020 - Announcement that Ringling’s elephants are moving to White Oak Conservation. CEC has 34 (8.26.0) elephants.
- Dec 11, 2020 - 1.0 Stillborn (2020) born at CEC to unknown dam. Sire is 1.0 Casey (1971).
- Jan 25, 2021 - 0.1 Sarah (1957) died at CEC.
- Mar 29, 2021 - 0.1 Toby (1961) died at CEC.
- Mar/Apr 2021 - 0.1 Tonka (1983), 0.1 Luna (1984), 0.1 Juliette (1992), 0.1 Bonnie (1994), 0.1 Kelly Ann (1996), 0.1 Angelica (1997), 0.1 Sara (2001), 0.1 Asha (2002), 0.1 Myrtle (Aree) (2005), 0.1 Mable (2006), 0.1 April (2010), and 0.1 Piper (2012) transferred from CEC to White Oak.
- May 14, 2021 - 0.1 Mysore (1946) died at CEC.
- Aug 25, 2021 - 0.1 Masala (2021) born at White Oak to 0.1 Mable (2006). Sire is 1.0 Casey (1971).
- 2021/2022 - 1.0 Charlie (1973), 1.0 Casey (1971), and one other elephant transferred from CEC to White Oak.
- Apr 06, 2022 - 1.0 Charlie (1973) died at White Oak.
- Jun 14, 2022 - 0.1 Tikka (2022) born at White Oak to 0.1 Myrtle (Aree) (2005). Sire is 1.0 Casey (1971).
- Jan 23, 2023 - 0.1 Aussan (1957) died at CEC.
- Apr 2023-Aug 2023 - 8 elephants transferred from CEC to White Oak.
- May 12, 2023 - 1.0 Stillborn (2023) born at White Oak to unknown dam. Sire is 1.0 Casey (1971).
- May 13, 2023 - 1.0 Sammy (2023) born at White Oak to unknown dam. Sire is 1.0 Casey (1971).
- May 24, 2023 - 0.1 Kumari (2023) born at White Oak to unknown dam. Sire is 1.0 Casey (1971).
- Jun 08, 2023 - 0.1 unknown (2023) born at White Oak to unknown dam. Sire is 1.0 Casey (1971). Euthanized due to maternal induced trauma.
- Aug 31, 2023 - 0.1 unknown (2023) born at White Oak to unknown dam. Sire is 1.0 Casey (1971). Neonatal death due to head trauma from conspecific.
- Aug 2023-Jul 2024 - 2 elephants transferred from CEC to White Oak.
- Oct 25, 2023 - 0.1 Bangko (1976) died at CEC.
Any assistance or information that could improve or correct the information summarized (particularly the unknown dams) is greatly appreciated.
- RinglingFactsheet.pdf
- New bull elephant at Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse | New Haven Register
- North American Asian Elephant Population 2024 - ZooChat
- Romeo, oh Romeo! | Fort Worth Zoo
- Tulsa Zoo - We have BIG news! Two female Asian elephants are joining our herd | Facebook
- Ringling Bros. elephants settle into retirement | USA TODAY
- Ringling Bros. elephants retire in Polk County | 10 Tampa Bay
- US circus elephants bow out and retire to Florida | Wildlife | Al Jazeera
- San Antonio Zoo - Lucky has a new friend! | Facebook
- San Antonio Zoo adds third elephant | MySA: San Antonio News
- Another Baby Elephant Dies at Ringling's 'Retirement' Center | PETA
- Columbus Zoo and Aquarium - BIG News! BIG News! Two female Asian elephants arrived | Facebook
- Two Tails Ranch | All About Elephants | Our Elephants
- Retired Circus Elephants to Move to 2,500-Acre Wildlife Refuge Next Year | Smart News | Smithsonian Magazine
- Retired circus elephants find new home at Jacksonville-area wildlife refuge | First Coast News
- From the ring to the refuge: Elephants moving to Northeast Florida | News4JAX
- 'Karmic Payback' For Retired Circus Elephants Loving Florida Life | Jacksonville, FL Patch
- Former circus elephants just arrived at a new sanctuary - The Washington Post
- First group of retired circus elephants settle in at White Oak - The Florida Times-Union
- White Oak Conservation (AZA Accredited) - Retired Ringling Asian Elephants - 26 Female & 8 Males - The Elephant Commentator
- Asian Elephant - White Oak Conservation
- North American Asian Elephant Population 2021 - Page 6 - ZooChat
- North American Asian Elephant Population 2023 - ZooChat
- North American Asian Elephant Population 2022 - Page 5 - ZooChat
- PST_Inspection_Report_White Oak Conservation [Yulee] (16-MAY-2022).pdf
- PST_Inspection_Report_White Oak Conservation [CEC] (17-MAY-2022).pdf
- PST_Inspection_Report_White Oak Conservation [CEC] (30-MAR-2023).pdf
- PST_Inspection_Report_White Oak Conservation [Yulee] (11-AUG-2023).pdf
- PST_Inspection_Report_White Oak Conservation [Yulee] (11-JUL-2024).pdf
- Regulations.gov - Document - FWS-HQ-IA-2024-0048-0009_content.pdf
- Regulations.gov - Document - FWS-HQ-IA-2024-0123-0008_content.pdf
- North American Asian Elephant Population 2024 - Page 21 - ZooChat
- White Oak Conservation Center [White Oak Conservation Center] - Page 5 - ZooChat
- PST_Inspection_Report_White Oak Conservation [Yulee] (21-NOV-2024).pdf
- PST_Inspection_Report_White Oak Conservation [CEC] (10-DEC-2024).pdf
- PST_Inspection_Report_White Oak Conservation [Yulee] (13-FEB-2025).pdf
- PST_Inspection_Report_White Oak Conservation [CEC] (22-APR-2025).pdf
- PST_Inspection_Report_White Oak Conservation [Yulee] (28-APR-2025).pdf
- Regulations.gov - Document - FWS-HQ-IA-2025-0145-0029_content.pdf