African Elephant subspecies in the United States

[Zoological Point]

Due to quarantine, I've been going through my LifeList and figuring out which subspecies I have seen. I've noticed that most of the African Elephants in the US are rescues from southern Africa and are thus members of the Southern subspecies (L. a. africana). I was wondering if any zoos in the United States had subspecies other than southern.

 

[devilfish]

Due to quarantine, I've been going through my LifeList and figuring out which subspecies I have seen. I've noticed that most of the African Elephants in the US are rescues from southern Africa and are thus members of the Southern subspecies (L. a. africana). I was wondering if any zoos in the United States had subspecies other than southern.

Which subspecies do you consider to be valid?

 

[Arizona Docent]

@devilfish makes a good point. If I am not mistaken (which I could be because I am no elephant expert), bush elephants had a continuous population and range prior to their severe persecution in the 20th century. (I am not including forest elephants which are now considered a full species). One of the requirements for subspecies splits is distinct populations that are geographically separated from each other. Again I could be wrong, but I don't think this was the case with bush elephants so I don't think there are distinct subspecies?

 

[Zoological Point]

Which subspecies do you consider to be valid?

I consider loxotona, knochenhaurei and oxyotis to be valid. I've been reading more and more on the differences in populations so I do consider them valid, no idea if they are in reality.