Asian Elephants in Europe 2020

[Elephantelephant]

Gyors hír: megérkezett Félix!
Felix moved from Veszprém to Szeged. In both zoos is now herds of bulls in different age categories, which means more peaceful relationships.

But it also means that Kewa and her family will not be moved to any of these zoos as originally expected. So where do they go? They're supposed to move into early summer. Frosja and Louise will go to Augsburg, Lilak and Kariba to Kronberg, Pori to Halle, Astra maybe to Karlsruhe, but Kewa and her family? That is a question.

 

[Hyak_II]

Exciting news! Sumatran Elephant cow Nova has given birth at Zoo Aquarium de Madrid to a bull calf, sired by Sumatran male Valentio, within the past few days. While a bull isn't exactly ideal for the European population overall, this is exciting for the Sumatran Elephant sub-population, as this is the first pure Sumatran bull born in Europe!

Nova is one of the cows I had a suspicion about being pregnant, and I would not be surprised if Cynthia ends up having a calf this year as well.

It will be interesting to see how the EEP manages this Sumatran sub-population, as it now numbers 2.4 animals strong, with breeding bull Valentio, breeding cow Nova and her calves Pilar (3.5 year old cow) and this new male baby, and breeding cow Cynthia and her daughter Vera (along with a handful of hybrid animals born the girls prior to Valentio starting to breed). They'll either need to import unrelated animals from Sumatra, or turn back to producing hybrids with the current European stock down the road.

 

[Zorro]

Exciting news! Sumatran Elephant cow Nova has given birth at Zoo Aquarium de Madrid to a bull calf, sired by Sumatran male Valentio, within the past few days. While a bull isn't exactly ideal for the European population overall, this is exciting for the Sumatran Elephant sub-population, as this is the first pure Sumatran bull born in Europe!

Nova is one of the cows I had a suspicion about being pregnant, and I would not be surprised if Cynthia ends up having a calf this year as well.

It will be interesting to see how the EEP manages this Sumatran sub-population, as it now numbers 2.4 animals strong, with breeding bull Valentio, breeding cow Nova and her calves Pilar (3.5 year old cow) and this new male baby, and breeding cow Cynthia and her daughter Vera (along with a handful of hybrid animals born the girls prior to Valentio starting to breed). They'll either need to import unrelated animals from Sumatra, or turn back to producing hybrids with the current European stock down the road.

Australia zoo has four young females perhaps they could use this bull?

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Australia zoo has four young females perhaps they could use this bull?

Very true! Whether it happens ... is anybody's hope (and guess-wishful thinking)!

BTW: I personally have advocated for some time now that a Sumatran and Bornean island ssp. program would be warranted and be all inclusive on any elephants belonging to either ssp. to be included in a global ssp. specific program. For both captive-breeding is occurring (even (some - Bornean) pure-bred) and numbers would allow separate programs to co-exist along the mainland Asiatics.

 

[Elephantelephant]

Exciting news! Sumatran Elephant cow Nova has given birth at Zoo Aquarium de Madrid to a bull calf, sired by Sumatran male Valentio, within the past few days. While a bull isn't exactly ideal for the European population overall, this is exciting for the Sumatran Elephant sub-population, as this is the first pure Sumatran bull born in Europe!

Nova is one of the cows I had a suspicion about being pregnant, and I would not be surprised if Cynthia ends up having a calf this year as well.

It will be interesting to see how the EEP manages this Sumatran sub-population, as it now numbers 2.4 animals strong, with breeding bull Valentio, breeding cow Nova and her calves Pilar (3.5 year old cow) and this new male baby, and breeding cow Cynthia and her daughter Vera (along with a handful of hybrid animals born the girls prior to Valentio starting to breed). They'll either need to import unrelated animals from Sumatra, or turn back to producing hybrids with the current European stock down the road.

This is really great news! This year's first half of the year is really generous for elephant births. I already thought that after the move the reproduction of cows stopped. That breeding in Madrid fails. But I was wrong! Interestingly, the zoo has not yet reported this message anywhere.

 

[AmbikaFan]

Bad news from Leipzig. Elephant calf Ben Long is bad. He drinks very little and his liver is not working well. Now she is trying for treatment, but so far it is unsuccessful. That's horrible. After today's report on the abortion of the elephant cow Chendra at the Oregon Zoo and the report on Ben Long, I am totally destroyed.

Short note herd: In the US the word "abortion" refers to a deliberate plan to end a pregnancy by delivering the unviable calf early. Oregon was very excited about having Chendra have her calf, so the correct word here, at least for this situation is "miscarriage."

 

[AmbikaFan]

The year 2019 is over and I bring a summary of this year. Fewer calves were born compared to other years. The two calves in Pairi Daiza are the only live calves from 2019. Male calf died in Leipzig (the mother did not care for him, he had to drink artificial milk), after a difficult birth in Whipsnade a weak calf was born, which soon died.
Twelve elephants died. Most were older cows unsuitable for breeding. A great success was the rescue of three calves, which became ill with EEHV! Sanuk from Amsterdam has been rescued by blood transfusion, leading to a breakthrough in the treatment of calves suffering from EEHV! Zinda from Dublin and Indali in Chester were also saved.In 2018, for example, seven calves died from EEHV. There have also been many movements, the most important of which is probably the move of Emmet to Blackpool, Ming Jung to Whipsnade and Sam to Antwerp.

Births:
unkown- 12.1., female, Zoo Whipsnade, mother: Donna, father: Raja (AI), died 16.1.
Ben Long- 25.1., male, Zoo Leipzig, mother: Hoa, father: Naing Thein, died 30.9.
Malee- 26.2., female, Pairi Daiza, mother: Aye Chan May, father: Po Chin
Luna- 7.6., female, Pairi Daiza, mother: Farina, father: Po Chin

Deaths:
unkown- 16.1., female, Zoo Whipsnade, born 16.1. in Zoo Whipsnade
Kala- 4.2., female, Zoo Usti nad Labem, born 1985 in Vietnam
Iyoti- 16.2., female, Zoo Berlin, born 1975 in Asia
Rani- 23.2., female, Zoo Karlsruhe, born 1955 in Asia
Flavia- 1.3., female, Zoo Cordoba, born 1970 in Asia
Rekka- 25.4., female, Burgers zoo, born 1966 in Asia
Tamara- 3.6., female, Zoo Pistoia, born 1973 in Sri Lanka
Dina- 21.7., female, Mallorca Porte Christo, born 1974 in Asia
Babati- 1.9., female, Cirkus Americano Togni, born 1984 in Asia
Ben Long- 30.9., male, Zoo Leipzig, born 25.1. in Zoo Leipzig
Thura- 26.11., female, Zoo Leipzig, born 1974 in India
Thi Ha Phyu- 4.12., female, Zoo Kopenhagen, born 1980 in Myanmar

Transfers:
Upali- 28.2., from Dublin to Le Pal, male, born 14.11.1994
Mala- spring, from cirkus Krone to Sevilla, female, born 1965
Kamala and Mina- ?.7., from Cirkus Medrano to Jungle Park Camargue, females, both born 1966
Saba- 23.8., from Kolmarden to Burgers zoo, female, born 1968
Thi Ha Phyu (1980), Maha Kumari (2007), Jung Bul Kne (2017)- 12.9., from Zoo Köln to Zoo Kopenhagen, two females and young male
Burma (1984), Jumba (1973), Mosley (1968), Siam (1973)- 6.10., from Cirkus Americano Togni to Riyahd safari, females
Emmet- 25.10., from Whipsnade to Blackpool, male, born 10.7.1991
Ming Jung- 29.10., from Antwerp to Whipsnade, male, born 16.4.2007
Sam- 30.10., from Whipsnade to Antwerp, male, born 16.9.2014
Shanti- 8.11., from Szeged to Nikolaev, male, born 6.5.2008
Dinkar- 8.11., from Veszprém to Nikolaev, male, born 6.8.2010

Pregnant cows:
Rani- Zoo Leipzig, early 2020, father: Voi Nam
Shu Thu Zar- Zoo Köln, sommer 2020, father: Bindu
Tamara- Zoo Prague, 4.2020, father: Ankhor
Janita- Zoo Prague, 4.2020, father: Ankhor
Bua- Zoo Kolmarden, 4.2020, father: Tonsak
Temi- Tierpark Hellabrün, autumn 2020, father: Gajendra
Thong Tai- Zoo Amsterdam, 5.2020, father: Nikolai
Surin- Zoo Kopenhagen, autumn 2020, father: Chang
Indi- Zoo Zürich, 4.2020, father: Thai
Farha- Zoo Zürich, 4.2020, father: Thai
Omysha- Zoo Zürich, 4.2020, father: Thai

Is this Emmett 25.10 the son of the late prolific Calvin (Chanda) from Canada?

 

[robmv]

Is this Emmett 25.10 the son of the late prolific Calvin (Chanda) from Canada?

Emmet was born 10/07/1991 at Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Syracuse (sire: Indy, dam: Romani)

 

[Hyak_II]

Another "surprise" birth has just occurred! 35 La Petite at Ramat Gan Zoo in Israel has just given birth to a male calf sired by 60 year old bull, Motek.

This is their third calf together, and the 14th living calf for prolific sire, Motek. I must admit, this is not a birth I foresaw, given how well represented Motek is, and La Petites last birth was 7 years ago, I figured Ramat Gan had finally retired Motek from breeding. Obviously not though!

Unfortunately, of the five calves born this year already, four of them are males. Considering how well represented this little bulls genetics are, he will likely find himself spending a good chunk of his life in either bachelor holding or with post-reproductive cows.

 

[AmbikaFan]

Another "surprise" birth has just occurred! 35 La Petite at Ramat Gan Zoo in Israel has just given birth to a male calf sired by 60 year old bull, Motek.

This is their third calf together, and the 14th living calf for prolific sire, Motek. I must admit, this is not a birth I foresaw, given how well represented Motek is, and La Petites last birth was 7 years ago, I figured Ramat Gan had finally retired Motek from breeding. Obviously not though!

Unfortunately, of the five calves born this year already, four of them are males. Considering how well represented this little bulls genetics are, he will likely find himself spending a good chunk of his life in either bachelor holding or with post-reproductive cows.

The Motek/Warda progeny make up a huge percentage of the North American population as well, via daughters Lilly and Phoebe. Ironically, these girls have produced a good many bulls too. Lilly's first breeding was with her father Motek before she came to African Lion Safari in Canada, and the result was a female, Piccolina, who must be the only cow born at this prolific institution not to have had any offspring. But then, Lilly proceeded to have bulls Samson (Oregon), Albert (Albuquerque), and Logan (who died of EEHV) before having little girls Hannah and Luna in the last five years. Phoebe had males Bodhi (in bachelor holding in Denver) and Beco (Columbus) before giving birth to daughter Ellie after a nine-year interval. Unfortunately, Ellie died shortly after birth. With all of Motek/Warda blood, both Europe and North America are saturated. Perhaps one of these bachelors could be useful in Asia where the bloodline has presumably not yet been introduced.

Europe also shares considerable bloodlines with America's Tusko (via the Nikolai progeny), Indy (the Emmett offspring), and Calvin's 10 living children, five in Europe.

 

[Elephant Enthusiast]

Lilly's first breeding was with her father Motek before she came to African Lion Safari in Canada, and the result was a female, Piccolina.

Even though Lilly did breed at Ramat Gan prior to being imported by African Lion Safari, she bred with her brother Alexander twice instead of her father, Motek, and then her brother, Alexander. Lilly conceived and delivered her first pregnancy at Ramat Gan Safari but, unfortunately, miscarried the female calf on December 5, 1990. Lilly conceived her second pregnancy in Ramat Gan but, delivered her daughter Piccolina on December 11, 1994, at African Lion Safari.

Source:
The history, update, and "baby boom" of elephants in 1987 at the Ramat Gan Zoological Center, Israel

Lilly proceeded to have bulls Samson (Oregon), Albert (Albuquerque), and Logan (who died of EEHV) before having little girls Hannah and Luna in the last five years.

Lilly has had 6 offspring (4 surviving and 2 deceased): two daughters from Alexander, one of whom was stillborn and the other named Piccolina, a son named Albert from Calvin, a son named Logan from Rex, and two daughters named Hannah and Luna from Johnson. Samson is the son of Kitty and Calvin.

Europe also shares [a] considerable [bloodline] with... Calvin's 10 living children, five in Europe.

Calvin has 11 surviving offspring (5 in North America and 6 in Europe): two sons named Samson and Johnson from Kitty, three sons named Albert, George, and Kandula from Lilly, Phoebe, and Shanthi, respectively, a daughter and two sons named Farina, Tarak, and Shanti from Khaing Hnin Hnin, a daughter named Califa from Manari, and a daughter and a son named Rashmi and Chandru from Johti and Vishesh, respectively.

 

[Elephantelephant]

Another "surprise" birth has just occurred! 35 La Petite at Ramat Gan Zoo in Israel has just given birth to a male calf sired by 60 year old bull, Motek.

This is their third calf together, and the 14th living calf for prolific sire, Motek. I must admit, this is not a birth I foresaw, given how well represented Motek is, and La Petites last birth was 7 years ago, I figured Ramat Gan had finally retired Motek from breeding. Obviously not though!

Unfortunately, of the five calves born this year already, four of them are males. Considering how well represented this little bulls genetics are, he will likely find himself spending a good chunk of his life in either bachelor holding or with post-reproductive cows.

Great news! I was already afraid that the elephant breeding had ended in Ramat Gan. But after seven years, La Petite gave birth again. But the difference between La Belle and Lelana was also 7 years. I think we could also expect a calf from La Belle soon, even though Motek is her father. I am also surprised that at the age of 60 Motek still produces offspring.

 

[Hyak_II]

Well another birth is on the ground! Bua has just given birth to....get this...a MALE calf. Of the 6 births this year, now FIVE of them have been males. Yeesh. The only positive is that this little bull is very genetically valuable, his sire, Tonsak, is an unrepresented founder, and Bua herself is a founder with only 1 other living calf. Fingers crossed all goes well for mother and calf!

One other positive to all these bull calves, I suppose, is that in the next 8-12 years, we should have a number of bachelor exhibits holding 3-4 bulls in dynamic, fun to watch bachelor groups. Although breeding herds are the ideal, there is definitely some appeal to an exhibit full of tusked bulls playing and sparing with each other as well!

 

[AmbikaFan]

Even though Lilly did breed at Ramat Gan prior to being imported by African Lion Safari, she bred with her brother Alexander twice instead of her father, Motek, and then her brother, Alexander. Lilly conceived and delivered her first pregnancy at Ramat Gan Safari but, unfortunately, miscarried the female calf on December 5, 1990. Lilly conceived her second pregnancy in Ramat Gan but, delivered her daughter Piccolina on December 11, 1994, at African Lion Safari.

Source:
The history, update, and "baby boom" of elephants in 1987 at the Ramat Gan Zoological Center, Israel



Lilly has had 6 offspring (4 surviving and 2 deceased): two daughters from Alexander, one of whom was stillborn and the other named Piccolina, a son named Albert from Calvin, a son named Logan from Rex, and two daughters named Hannah and Luna from Johnson. Samson is the son of Kitty and Calvin.



Calvin has 11 surviving offspring (5 in North America and 6 in Europe): two sons named Samson and Johnson from Kitty, three sons named Albert, George, and Kandula from Lilly, Phoebe, and Shanthi, respectively, a daughter and two sons named Farina, Tarak, and Shanti from Khaing Hnin Hnin, a daughter named Califa from Manari, and a daughter and a son named Rashmi and Chandru from Johti and Vishesh, respectively.

I stand corrected! This is what happens when they suppress studbooks before you can commit them fully to PDF or aging memory. I could have sworn, though, that member relorted that one of Calvin's 6 European offspring died not long after he did, perhaps Vishesh?

 

[Yassa]

Calvin and Vishesh had a female calf that died in 2016, age 2 from EEHV after being hand raised (Vishesh cared for her but the calf never managed to nurse from her).

 

[AmbikaFan]

Calvin and Vishesh had a female calf that died in 2016, age 2 from EEHV after being hand raised (Vishesh cared for her but the calf never managed to nurse from her).

So he has only five living European offspring too? Successfully hand-raising a calf without its mom rejecting it would seem to be quite an achievement. This loss must have been particularly painful.

 

[Elephant Enthusiast]

I could have sworn, though, that a member reported that one of Calvin's 6 European offspring died not long after he did.

Calvin and Vishesh had a female calf that died in 2016, age 2, from EEHV after being hand raised (Vishesh cared for her but the calf never managed to nurse from her).

So he has only five living European offspring too?

Calvin has 6 surviving offspring in Europe.

0.1 Califa - Dam: Manari - 2003.02.02 - Hannover Zoo
0.1 Farina - Dam: Khaing Hnin Hnin - 2003.03.20 - Pairi Daiza
1.0 Tarak - Dam: Khaing Hnin Hnin - 2005.10.28 - Heidelberg Zoo
1.0 Shanti - Dam: Khaing Hnin Hnin - 2008.05.06 - Nikolaev Zoo
0.1 Rashmi - Dam: Johti - 2011.04.12 - Ostrava Zoo
1.0 Chandru - Dam: Vishesh - 2017.07.08 - Ostrava Zoo

Calvin and Vishesh had three offspring together. The first was 1.0 Sethi on March 11, 2011. Sadly, Sethi passed away on May 6, 2011, as he wasn't gaining weight and was believed to have been born premature. The second was 0.1 Sumitra on February 4, 2014. Despite being hand raised and nursed from a bottle, Sumitra thrived. However, Sumitra succumbed to EEHV on January 23, 2016, three months after the death of her father Calvin on October 22, 2015. The third, and final calf was 1.0 Chandru on July 8, 2017. Vishesh conceived her third pregnancy a month prior to Calvin's passing and, after two previous attempts at motherhood, was finally successful at nursing the calf herself.

 

[Elephantelephant]

Well another birth is on the ground! Bua has just given birth to....get this...a MALE calf. Of the 6 births this year, now FIVE of them have been males. Yeesh. The only positive is that this little bull is very genetically valuable, his sire, Tonsak, is an unrepresented founder, and Bua herself is a founder with only 1 other living calf. Fingers crossed all goes well for mother and calf!

One other positive to all these bull calves, I suppose, is that in the next 8-12 years, we should have a number of bachelor exhibits holding 3-4 bulls in dynamic, fun to watch bachelor groups. Although breeding herds are the ideal, there is definitely some appeal to an exhibit full of tusked bulls playing and sparing with each other as well!

Great news! Although I was hoping it would be a cow, I am glad the calf is healthy. And this bull will be very valuable to Europe's population of Indian elephants. Perhaps she will have a cow next time. It is a pity that Sanoi failed to reproduce. The likelihood of getting pregnant is very fast decreasing. Unfortunately, Tonsak does not seem interested.

Kungens elefant har fött en kalv på Kolmården

 

[Hyak_II]

Calf born to Tamara in Prauge mere hours ago. Will have more info over the next day or two. Fingers crossed its a girl!

 

[Elephantelephant]

Great news. I also hope it will be a cow.