Are African forest elephants completely gone from zoos?

TripAdvisor shows an image of an elephant at Kumasi Zoo in Ghana in 2017. It certainly wasn’t there in 2022 though. I’m assuming it’s a forest elephant given location. It’s also worth noting the word ‘zoo’ is used at a stretch at places like these in West Africa. I’ve not been to Abidjan Zoo but I suspect it’s somewhat similar. You do feel for the animals and they’d be shut down in an instant in the west given the conditions.

A bit of Googling suggests he was an orphan called Batu (would suggest a forest elephant indeed) but can’t find what happened to him.
 
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kiang said:
an-elephant-approaches-children-sitting-near-its-enclosure-at-the-zoo-picture-id486497723


Abidjan zoo from 2014
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I am cringing so hard. If that elephant feels like it, that can be a very bad day.
 
Chlidonias said:
there was of course also the "pigmy" elephant at the Bronx Zoo (I can't remember what its name was, or the year, off the top of my head)
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They were Congo, came to the zoo in 1905 and shot in 1915, and Tiny who was there in the early 1930's.
 
Zangelima (Barney) and Doruma (Pinky) were in the Bronx Zoo from 1946. Zangelima was shot in 1952 and Doruma died, or was euthanized, in 1970. They, along with what they called the pigmy elephants were the forest elephants in the Bronx Zoo. There was also Dzimbo in the Smithsonian Zoo, in the 1950's or 1960's, and there were 2 in Brookfield, Zombie and Zambini. They were there in the 1930's or 1940's.
 
Richie said:
They were Congo, came to the zoo in 1905 and shot in 1915, and Tiny who was there in the early 1930's.
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Richie said:
Zangelima (Barney) and Doruma (Pinky) were in the Bronx Zoo from 1946. Zangelima was shot in 1952 and Doruma died, or was euthanized, in 1970. They, along with what they called the pigmy elephants were the forest elephants in the Bronx Zoo.
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Further information about Bronx Zoo's forest elephants is provided earlier in this thread:-
Tim May said:
Indeed. “Congo” arrived at the Bronx Zoo on 28th July 1905. He was the type specimen of pumilio, now normally considered a synonym of cyclotis. Sadly, he was shot on 3rd November 1915.

Crandall also records a second “pygmy” elephant, the female “Tiny” who arrived at the Bronx Zoo on 6th December 1922 and died 2nd March 1933.

In addition Crandall also mentions two other forest elephants at Bronx Zoo, a male and a female, both arriving on 8th October 1946. The male “Zangelima” became dangerous and was destroyed on 11th November 1952. The female “Doruma” (known as “Pinky") was still living when Crandall wrote his book; according to the Elephant Database she died on 1st March 1970.

(NB All other dates are as per Crandall’s book; some of these differ slightly from the dates on the Elephant Database.)
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Tim May said:
Further information about Bronx Zoo's forest elephants is provided earlier in this thread:-
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You sound like you follow the elephants that were kept at the Bronx Zoo. I have been trying to find a picture or more information about a male Indian elephant named Runga, who was there from 1930 to 1940 when he too, age 13, was shot because of bad behavior. There is a mention of him in a Ditmars and Bridge's book, but there doesn't seem to be a photo of him in existence. Might you know something about this? There seems to be photos of every elephant they have had, but not Runga. Many years ago, when the zoo was more person friendly, I was shown a photo of him as a baby being brought to the old elephant house, but that was it. I only ask you as you seem to share my interest in the Bronx Zoo elephants.
 
Richie said:
There seems to be photos of every elephant they have had, but not Runga.
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I'm sorry to be unhelpful but I don't know any more about "Runga" than you do.

He lived in Bronx Zoo for ten years, though, so I'd be very surprised if there weren't some photos of this elephant around.
 
PossumRoach said:
Also Asahiyama Zoo also had a forest elephant named Nana which died at 2006 she was brought to the zoo at 1980.
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Quick addendum: based on molecular genetic testing, Nana is proven to not be a forest elephant. Weirdly enough Bando Gen, the cured director of Asahiyama Zoo who took part in this study referred Nana as a forest elephant on an article he wrote on 2017, many years after this study.

https://www.researchgate.net/public...phant_Loxodonta_sp_Nana_Kept_at_Asahiyama_Zoo
 
This news article from April 1984 discusses the possibility of breeding African Lion Safari’s bull Forest elephant Samson with Mtoto at the Brookfield Zoo. I have found a few photos that do not seem to imply Mtoto was a Forest elephant, though.

Mtoto was imported in June 1972 and might have been part of the same shipment as the Columbus Zoo’s bulk Forest elephant Bud. It’s hard to tell though as there were so many African elephants being imported that year and that time frame with the drive-through safari boom.
 

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Surprising news!

You may not believe it, but the newest country to have African forest elephants in a zoo is... India! The three (1.2) elephants were moved from Friguia Park (Tunisia) to Vantara this year.

Owned by the Ambanis, it is the same zoo which tried to import Spix's macaws from ACTP a few years ago.

Vantara on Instagram: "After years of hardship, Achtaum, Kani, and Mina—three African forest elephants—are about to start a new chapter. Previously confined to concrete space with limited resources, they endured untreated health issues such as cracked nails, infected teeth, and broken tusks. Now, they’re on their way to a place curated with their well-being at its heart. Here at Vantara, they’ll discover tranquil landscapes, enriched habitats, and expert care that will allow them to feel safe, free, and valued. For these resilient elephants, it’s finally time for a life filled with health, happiness, and true compassion.♥️ [elephants, rescue, rescue operation, elephant rescue, african elephants, diwali, wildlife, wild protection, vantara]"

I have already updated ZooTierliste.
 
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Enzo said:
Surprising news!

You may not believe it, but the newest country to have African forest elephants in a zoo is... India! The three (1.2) elephants were moved from Friguia Park (Tunisia) to Vantara this year.

Owned by the Ambanis, it is the same zoo which tried to import Spix's macaws from ACTP a few years ago.

Vantara on Instagram: "After years of hardship, Achtaum, Kani, and Mina—three African forest elephants—are about to start a new chapter. Previously confined to concrete space with limited resources, they endured untreated health issues such as cracked nails, infected teeth, and broken tusks. Now, they’re on their way to a place curated with their well-being at its heart. Here at Vantara, they’ll discover tranquil landscapes, enriched habitats, and expert care that will allow them to feel safe, free, and valued. For these resilient elephants, it’s finally time for a life filled with health, happiness, and true compassion.♥️ [elephants, rescue, rescue operation, elephant rescue, african elephants, diwali, wildlife, wild protection, vantara]"

I have already updated ZooTierliste.
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I have doubts about whether they are actually African forest elephant as the information from this website indicates that they are African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana). I am not sure if the information on this website is reliable.

Achtaum at Sousse Friguia Zoo in Tunisia - Elephant Encyclopedia and Database
Kani at Sousse Friguia Zoo in Tunisia - Elephant Encyclopedia and Database
Mina at Sousse Friguia Zoo in Tunisia - Elephant Encyclopedia and Database
 
Frankie_number_1_fan said:
Is there any legitimate chance of a captive Forest elephant program taking root? Or is it more of a pipe dream in modern zoo settings.
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With the birth of Mei's calf its quite possible that Japan will be the last stronghold for African Forest elephants, with Mei hopefully having more calves in the future + with one other bull in Vantara to breed with any daughters she has either through AI or naturely its possible that it can take root, but with such a small founder group, just 2.1 adults it just isn't feasible long-term
 
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