Asian Elephants in Europe 2021

[DanKoehl]

In other words, the actions of AR activists in the Zimbabwe elephant ban (and this ban is across th board under CITES from wild to other wild/captive) are actually stopping any reliable, sustainable and valid wildlife conservation programs in their foot steps nor are they contributing in any significant ways to funding wildlife conservation in situ or otherwise.

I totally agree with you, and frankly dont see any single reason, why export from range countries to zoos should be banned. I actually dont see a relevant reason not to catch wild elephants either, and I think the present CITES rules doesnt really reflect a conservation motivation, mor a philosophical angle which hasnt anything to do with conservation.

I was simply in my previous reply referring to the effects of banning an import, which I estimate as hardly no effect at all. During the draught in Tsavo 1970-1973 over 9 000 elephants died within 2 years, of starvation, which is equal, or even more, than the total imports of elephants to Europe and America since post roman times = over 2000 years.

According to Cynthia Moss reports, during some years, 20-40% of calves die before 2 years of age. Something we cant really do much about.

An import of 100 elephants/year from Asia and Africa to Zoos, would have zero impact on populations in range countries, and the conservation of their elephants populations, but would mean a lot for the captive breeding, and in a number of cases could even solve a couple of local Human-elephant conflict problems, where both elephants and humans suffer, and die due to the ongoing conflict.

 

[ZCChip]

NOTA BENE: Given that elephant populations in Zimbabwe (as in South Africa) are increasing the wildlife authorities have introduced a system of quotas for culling or cropping elephants or alternatively transferring these where populations do not exist in good numbers and/or zoos or captive-breeding facilities. There is nothing inherently wrong with that policy and AR activism is getting in the way of international wildlife trade regulations under CITES (where provisions for captive-breeding and ex situ management are valid trade exemptions) as well as good conservation in situ work.

Moreover, any ban on elephant exports or transfers in situ actually is counterproductive and an actual major stumbling block to any conservation initiatives or long term elephant management work on the part of wildlife authorities and park managers. What about the ever increasing human-wildlife conflicts, the realities on the ground where national parks, wildlife reserves and protected zones are effectively enclosed islands in a stream of human habitations and land occupied for agriculture, plantations, farms, industry, mining and other human impacted economic interest areas. On top there is an ever increasing gap and lack of sufficient funding for biodiversity conservation and consequently wildlife operations to manage wildlife resources effectively and sustainably. Our global economy being based around consumers and supply and demand, including your average AR variety of folk, are (ab-/mis-)using all natural resources to the extreme and not putting back in the financial clout to actually conserve or protect natural resources, habitats, animal and plants species effectively nor sustainably. It is for good reason we are both in a biodiversity as well as environmental crisis mode (while still after 60+ years not acting upon all the ominous signs and dark clouds around us).

In other words, the actions of AR activists in the Zimbabwe elephant ban (and this ban is across th board under CITES from wild to other wild/captive) are actually stopping any reliable, sustainable and valid wildlife conservation programs in their foot steps nor are they contributing in any significant ways to funding wildlife conservation in situ or otherwise.

I understand and agree with you. I am only saying what has happened in response to Dan’s post about Chinas’s importations. Hopefully the lawsuit will fail.

I just wish we would see the increased effort for Asians. India is the world’s most populous continent and the conflict is high as well the ban of logging and working on the streets. The last importation I know of was with the Koln/Cologne zoo with some females to the UK then Australia imported some.

 

[DanKoehl]

The last importation I know of was with the Koln/Cologne zoo with some females to the UK then Australia imported some.

On the Asian side elephants I think the more recent exports was from Taman Safari Indonesia (Bogor Zoo) to Europe, Relocated elephants from Taman Safari Indonesia (Bogor Zoo) in Indonesia

Earlier to Cologne and Australia, with the exception of the bull from Singapore to Cologne, both came from Thailand, some of them may have been captive born, and my wild guess is that the famous elephant trader Somroj in Surin city was involved, with elephants only going through their last location in Ayutaya, Thailand but was not sourced from there. Somroj was definitely the source of the elepants exported from Thailand to Denmark and Sweden, in recent years.

Lok Kawi Wildlife Park (Sabah Zoo) in Malaysia exported a number around 98, Before them a couple of elephants were exported from Jaldapara in India to Woburn in UK. Relocated elephants from Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS camp) in India

Even earlier than that, we have the dutch trader van den Brinks import of 40-50 elephants from mainly Burma to Europe, and Japan and some other countries during his last imports in 1977-1981. Relocated elephants from E.A.G. van den Brink in Netherlands

I do hope someone can correct me, and remind me of more exports,

 

[Jurek7]

Which Asian elephants imported to Europe in recent decades were wild caught? I thought most or all were domestic or zoo elephants.

Did Prague or another zoo in Czechia also import some (two?) females in the last decades?

I agree with DanKoehl that imports of elephants to zoos were always minuscule compared to wild populations. So zoos are not a threat to wild elephants but also cannot significantly lower the problem of surplus wild and domestic elephants by importing them. Counting new elephant facilities planned, and existing births in zoos, there is space for very few extra elephants in Europe. Europe has a problem of excess bulls, and soon might have a problem of excess cows and excess African elephants. Quite likely zoos in the Americas and China will follow with few years of delay.

I feel zoos in Europe should lobby to remove elephants from veterinary regulations aimed at ungulate animals (elephants are NOT related to either odd-toed or even-toed ungulates, they independently evolved hooves). Ideally, the lobby would be to relax veterinary regulations for all zoo animals in general. Ideally, zoos might develop a system of exchanging elephants with Asia on permanent loans, with the goal that more elephants will leave Europe than come in.

 

[Elephantelephant]

Did Prague or another zoo in Czechia also import some (two?) females in the last decades?

Yes, in 2012, two cows Janita and Tamara were transported from Pinnawela elephant orphanage, They have lived there since birth, they are not wild elephants.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Which Asian elephants imported to Europe in recent decades were wild caught? I thought most or all were domestic or zoo elephants.

Did Prague or another zoo in Czechia also import some (two?) females in the last decades?

I agree with DanKoehl that imports of elephants to zoos were always minuscule compared to wild populations. So zoos are not a threat to wild elephants but also cannot significantly lower the problem of surplus wild and domestic elephants by importing them. Counting new elephant facilities planned, and existing births in zoos, there is space for very few extra elephants in Europe. Europe has a problem of excess bulls, and soon might have a problem of excess cows and excess African elephants. Quite likely zoos in the Americas and China will follow with few years of delay.

I feel zoos in Europe should lobby to remove elephants from veterinary regulations aimed at ungulate animals (elephants are NOT related to either odd-toed or even-toed ungulates, they independently evolved hooves). Ideally, the lobby would be to relax veterinary regulations for all zoo animals in general. Ideally, zoos might develop a system of exchanging elephants with Asia on permanent loans, with the goal that more elephants will leave Europe than come in.

I would say that is true for most if not all Asian elephant imports over the last decade.

It is worth mentioning too that the proportion of wild elephants versus elephants in captivity or in the capacity as work elephants is hugely in favour of captive elephants in range states (except perhaps the Indonesian archipelago.

 

[Jana]

It is worth mentioning too that the proportion of wild elephants versus elephants in captivity or in the capacity as work elephants is hugely in favour of captive elephants in range states (except perhaps the Indonesian archipelago.

I am almost sure India and probably also Sri Lanka have far more wild than captive elephants rn. India has prohibited capture of wild animals and also training of new animals for usage in temples or private processions. Indian captive population is now quickly dying out. Sri Lanka has similar legislature I think but far less enforced.

 

[DanKoehl]

Which Asian elephants imported to Europe in recent decades were wild caught? I thought most or all were domestic or zoo elephants.

The first two examples I can give are the two Asian bulls, Hussein arriving in Hamburg 1987, respectively Brahma arriving Kolmarden in Sweden in 1994. Both transferred through Mysore zoo, where obviously CITES papers and breeding documents, claiming they were captive born, were falsified. There was rumors about a sum of 3000 Euro as payment for this, and the director in Mysore, Krishne Gowda, later lost his work shortly afterwards. In the case of Brahma, It was said the he, by 1-2 years of age, simply walked into Balle camp outside Mysore one day, why the mahouts took care of him. later he was used in the Mysore Dassehra procession, and again later to be given to Kolmarden in exchange for 2 gorillas, who later died in Mysore due to Giardia.

All this happened after European Zoos had declared that it was "unethic" to cooperate with animal traders like Ruhe and van den Brink, who had specialized in commercial operations of the trading , transporting and imports of hundreds of elephants, for generations.

*Hussein, an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) at Carl Hagenbecks Tierpark (Stellingen)
* Brahma, an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) at Kolmarden Zoo

As for all the elephants exported from Thailand we simply dont know. Lately, Thai officials are more precise, and check DNA of babies claimed to be captive born, in some cases were theres accusations of babies being wild born. But Thailand has since 2014 a sustainable captive population; a total of 4,435 elephants had the owner record. For the past 6 years, the birth rate (62.67±10.69) was higher than the dead rate (23.83±8.01) (p<0.0001). (Weerasak Pintawongs) why its highly likely that (YOUNG!!) elephants exported from Thailand, in most, if not all cases, were captive bred by the Kui people in Surin Province.

My own little humble efforts to research exports of elephants from Thailand, gave the following results:

And you can click on the blue links to see the details, and the bottom of each page youll find a link to CITES, which automatically makes a link with database query for that year.

In a number of cases though, I dont have the details which individuals the numbers refer to, and Id be gretful for suggestions, like year 2002; 19 elephants exported from Thailand to Japan, Philippines. Which elephants are that number referring to??

Export of elephants

1965: 76, 1966: 74, 1967: 77, 1968: 49, 1969: 52, 1970: 88, 1971: 84, 1972: 113, 1973: 43, 1974: 22, 1975: 12, 1976: 4 (Source: Department of Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, (Anon, 1994d) and earlier years of the same annual publication. via Lair, Richard, FAO: Thailand)

According to CITES trade database, exports 1980-2020: 1980: 1 (USA), 1981: 3 (USA+Soviet Union), 1982: 2 (Japan), 1986: 2 (India), 1987: 2 (Germany+Japan), 1988: 4 (Japan), 1989: 3 (Japan), 1990: 2 (Hong Kong), 1991: 2 (Hong Kong), 1993: 2 (Japan), 1994: 3 (Japan+USA), 1995: 9 (China+Israel+Japan+Myanmar+USA), 1996: 22 (China+Japan+Myanmar), 1997: 17 (India+Israel+Japan+Myanmar), 1998: 10 (China+Japan), 1999: 10 (Canada+China+Japan+S. Korea), 2000: 17 (China+Japan+Sri Lanka), 2001: 14 (Denmark+Sri Lanka+S. Korea; 9 elephants to Korea origin from Laos) 2002: 19 (Japan+Philippines), 2003: 15 (Japan+Myanmar), 2004: 26 (China+Japan+Myanmar+Sweden), 2005: 12 (China+Japan), 2006: 20 (Australia+China+Germany+Japan), 2008: 3 (S. Korea, origin from Laos), 2009: 4 (Canada+Japan), 2012: 3 (S. Korea), 2013: 3 (S. Korea), 2015: 1 (Japan, origin from Laos)
(Source: CITES trade database and my website https://www.elephant.se/country.php?name=Thailand)

 

[DanKoehl]

Did Prague or another zoo in Czechia also import some (two?) females in the last decades?

Of course, yes, and shame one me to forget this, since I was actually appointed by Prague Zoo, to join them in Sri Lanka, and I assisted Prague zoo locally in Rambukkana in selecting the specimens, during a month in 2011, I think.

Elephants transfered in 2012-10-07

 

[DanKoehl]

Also, I forgot the 2018 export from Burma of at least nine elephants to Japan, and to Circus Durov in Russia.

Elephants imported in 2018

 

[Hyak_II]

On the note of transfers, Fahim is set to depart for Lodz in august, but more interestingly, the other bull, set to arrive in September, has been identified as "Yuma". Considering there aren't any bulls in the region fitting this name, could it be a new public name for Tom, who is the third bull set to arrive? Or perhaps in a major switch around, it is indeed Yoma (closest in name) from the Rostov Zoo who will be arriving instead? I doubt it, but you never know. Just something of interest I figured I would note here.

 

[ZCChip]

On the note of transfers, Fahim is set to depart for Lodz in august, but more interestingly, the other bull, set to arrive in September, has been identified as "Yuma". Considering there aren't any bulls in the region fitting this name, could it be a new public name for Tom, who is the third bull set to arrive? Or perhaps in a major switch around, it is indeed Yoma (closest in name) from the Rostov Zoo who will be arriving instead? I doubt it, but you never know. Just something of interest I figured I would note here.

I don’t think Rostov is accredited with Europe. They should take all of the cows too after the circus incident.

 

[Mr.Ivory]

Tendi the 23 year Asian elephant sadly passed away due to chronic illness У Харківському зоопарку померла слониха Тенді

 

[Mr.Ivory]

Nanda the asian elepahnt is not doing well

′′Elephant cow Nanda has been severely dismantling in recent months. ′′ Her general condition has deteriorated significantly, she eats very little and has visibly invaded the head, back and hip. Her kidney levels have also developed negatively ", explains Zoo vet Dr. Marco Roller. Nanda was probably born in 1967, maybe she's even a little older. ′′ For an elephant, that's an enormous age that an animal would probably not reach in nature ", Scooter stresses.′′

′′Nanda has come to Europe as a wild catcher and appeared there in different circuses. A grey star condition has severely affected her for around ten years, now she sees almost nothing. Since 2016 she has lived in the Karlsruhe zoo in the age residence for Asian elephants.′′

′′ We'll provide her medically well and have to wait to see how her condition develops in the coming days and weeks ", Dr. Lukas Reese, also a zoo vet: ′′ Since it's a little cooler in the house than on the outdoor area, she spends most of her time indoors at the moment to protect her circulation a bit." Even though the dick skinned house is closed, the zoogies Nanda can do well through the big one Watching the window of insight.′′

 

[Zorro]

NOTA BENE: Given that elephant populations in Zimbabwe (as in South Africa) are increasing the wildlife authorities have introduced a system of quotas for culling or cropping elephants or alternatively transferring these where populations do not exist in good numbers and/or zoos or captive-breeding facilities. There is nothing inherently wrong with that policy and AR activism is getting in the way of international wildlife trade regulations under CITES (where provisions for captive-breeding and ex situ management are valid trade exemptions) as well as good conservation in situ work.

Moreover, any ban on elephant exports or transfers in situ actually is counterproductive and an actual major stumbling block to any conservation initiatives or long term elephant management work on the part of wildlife authorities and park managers. What about the ever increasing human-wildlife conflicts, the realities on the ground where national parks, wildlife reserves and protected zones are effectively enclosed islands in a stream of human habitations and land occupied for agriculture, plantations, farms, industry, mining and other human impacted economic interest areas. On top there is an ever increasing gap and lack of sufficient funding for biodiversity conservation and consequently wildlife operations to manage wildlife resources effectively and sustainably. Our global economy being based around consumers and supply and demand, including your average AR variety of folk, are (ab-/mis-)using all natural resources to the extreme and not putting back in the financial clout to actually conserve or protect natural resources, habitats, animal and plants species effectively nor sustainably. It is for good reason we are both in a biodiversity as well as environmental crisis mode (while still after 60+ years not acting upon all the ominous signs and dark clouds around us).

In other words, the actions of AR activists in the Zimbabwe elephant ban (and this ban is across th board under CITES from wild to other wild/captive) are actually stopping any reliable, sustainable and valid wildlife conservation programs in their foot steps nor are they contributing in any significant ways to funding wildlife conservation in situ or otherwise.

Given that these counties are culling because of over population makes returning any elephants from the UK to Africa a bit of a joke really considering captive populations need shoring up to a better degree?

 

[zoologicus]

Given that these counties are culling because of over population makes returning any elephants from the UK to Africa a bit of a joke really considering captive populations need shoring up to a better degree?

Exactly this! It's all just spectacle.

 

[TigerStripe]

Nanda the asian elepahnt is not doing well

′′Elephant cow Nanda has been severely dismantling in recent months. ′′ Her general condition has deteriorated significantly, she eats very little and has visibly invaded the head, back and hip. Her kidney levels have also developed negatively ", explains Zoo vet Dr. Marco Roller. Nanda was probably born in 1967, maybe she's even a little older. ′′ For an elephant, that's an enormous age that an animal would probably not reach in nature ", Scooter stresses.′′

′′Nanda has come to Europe as a wild catcher and appeared there in different circuses. A grey star condition has severely affected her for around ten years, now she sees almost nothing. Since 2016 she has lived in the Karlsruhe zoo in the age residence for Asian elephants.′′

′′ We'll provide her medically well and have to wait to see how her condition develops in the coming days and weeks ", Dr. Lukas Reese, also a zoo vet: ′′ Since it's a little cooler in the house than on the outdoor area, she spends most of her time indoors at the moment to protect her circulation a bit." Even though the dick skinned house is closed, the zoogies Nanda can do well through the big one Watching the window of insight.′′

unfortunately she has passed away, leaving other Asian Elephant cow Jenny on her own

 

[Elephantelephant]

unfortunately she has passed away, leaving other Asian Elephant cow Jenny on her own

This is sad. I think it would be good if Delhi from Ustí nad Labem and Bala from Liberec moved to Karlsruhe. Both are lonely.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

This is sad. I think it would be good if Delhi from Ustí nad Labem and Bala from Liberec moved to Karlsruhe. Both are lonely.

IMO that would be an excellent move and allow for both zoos to redevelop the vacant exhibit for much needed redevelopment into a better more environment suites animal exhibit.

 

[Hyak_II]

Apperantly Faya at Rotterdam is pregnant! Considering the time taken to confirm a females actually pregnant, the latest due date would be March of 2023, and quite possibly sooner than that. Sire is Fahim.