Australasian Asian Elephant Population 2022

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Zorro said:
I found it a little odd that they did not bring in a bull with this importation even if they had to bring in one less female it still would in my view be better than no Sumatran bull in the region’s zoos at all. If they had imported Thai/Indian sub species would have been a different matter as there are a number of bulls within the region they could of used.
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I believe the Sumatran subspecies was imported over the Indian subspecies because of Terri’s links with Indonesia.

Going forward, Australia Zoo need to weigh the likelihood of importing a Sumatran bull against whether they want to cut their losses and breed the elder two cows with a Indian bull through AI (while there’s still time).

Considering we don’t manage Asian elephant at the subspecies level, hybrid calves would still be valuable and allow the region the option of breeding the elder two cows into the future.

If a Sumatran bull is on the horizon and they want to reserve the space for purebred Sumatran calves, then fair enough; but otherwise they’re letting two genetically valuable cows lapse into reproductively unviable animals that will be taking up space in the breeding programme for the next few decades.
 
Zoofan15 said:
I believe the Sumatran subspecies was imported over the Indian subspecies because of Terri’s links with Indonesia.

Going forward, Australia Zoo need to weigh the likelihood of importing a Sumatran bull against whether they want to cut their losses and breed the elder two cows with a Indian bull through AI (while there’s still time).

Considering we don’t manage Asian elephant at the subspecies level, hybrid calves would still be valuable and allow the region the option of breeding the elder two cows into the future.

If a Sumatran bull is on the horizon and they want to reserve the space for purebred Sumatran calves, then fair enough; but otherwise they’re letting two genetically valuable cows lapse into reproductively unviable animals that will be taking up space in the breeding programme for the next few decades.
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It is somewhat hard to follow the direction of what happens at AZ. As has happened before plans appear to change from what was stated from time to time. It’s will be difficult to call which way they are going to go with having a group of Sumatran cows with no bulls there or in the region. as far as I know there are no bull barn and yards built up until this point. only time will tell if they will indeed import a Sumatran bull or use one of the other subspecies and current bulls within the country. Perhaps they might keep them as a drawcard for the public
 
Zorro said:
It is somewhat hard to follow the direction of what happens at AZ. As has happened before plans appear to change from what was stated from time to time. It’s will be difficult to call which way they are going to go with having a group of Sumatran cows with no bulls there or in the region. as far as I know there are no bull barn and yards built up until this point. only time will tell if they will indeed import a Sumatran bull or use one of the other subspecies and current bulls within the country. Perhaps they might keep them as a drawcard for the public
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I’m of the belief that Sumatran cows were obtained first and foremost because they’re what the zoo could import versus a desire to establish a breeding herd of this subspecies. It otherwise makes little sense when they’re the only zoo in the region with this subspecies.

It’s possible that talk of importing Sumatran bulls was aimed at justifying the import of these cows. Animal activist groups will object to anything and everything zoos do and the zoo may have been conscious of not giving them ammunition. They were careful to state this was a breeding loan - almost implying that they’d breed and return to Indonesia (something we know won’t happen).

Australia Zoo may well attempt to import Sumatran bulls - but if that falls through, I don’t doubt they’d be happy to provide a home for the cows they have (and possibly Permai); while considering hybridising their younger Sumatran cows with an Indian bull via AI.
 
Sydney Zoo - Saigon (1958-2022)

Sydney Zoo have sadly announced the death of Saigon, their elderly female elephant. She was euthanised on humane grounds after suffering from genetic muscular dystrophy.

Her death leaves the zoo with two adolescent bulls, Kavi and Ashoka.

I’m glad Saigon got to enjoy her retirement in the company of these two young elephants. It was clear she enjoyed their company; and they hers.

Saigon was the second eldest elephant in the region, following Tricia (1957).
Wdhtfd
 
Zoofan15 said:
Sydney Zoo - Saigon (1958-2022)

Sydney Zoo have sadly announced the death of Saigon, their elderly female elephant. She was euthanised on humane grounds after suffering from genetic muscular dystrophy.

Her death leaves the zoo with two adolescent bulls, Kavi and Ashoka.

I’m glad Saigon got to enjoy her retirement in the company of these two young elephants. It was clear she enjoyed their company; and they hers.

Saigon was the second eldest elephant in the region, following Tricia (1957).
Wdhtfd
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A ripe old age for an Asiatic elephant.

Will this enable Sydney Zoo to expand its bachelor program?
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
A ripe old age for an Asiatic elephant.

Will this enable Sydney Zoo to expand its bachelor program?
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Zorro said:
Would they have enough room for any more
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I’d say not at this stage. The habitat allows for the separation of the two bulls as they mature, but offers little contingency for the separation of a third elephant long term.

As one of the only city zoos holding elephants (which is a dwindling list), they’ll be under significant pressure to justify retaining their bulls - and giving them as much space as possible is the most proactive way to counter any criticism.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Sydney Zoo - Saigon (1958-2022)
Sydney Zoo have sadly announced the death of Saigon, their elderly female elephant. She was euthanised on humane grounds after suffering from genetic muscular dystrophy.
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RIP Saigon, she reached a good age considering she spent most of her life performing. If I'm not mistaken she was the last of her kind in Australasia, she being the last ever privately owned circus elephant.
 
Swanson02 said:
RIP Saigon, she reached a good age considering she spent most of her life performing. If I'm not mistaken she was the last of her kind in Australasia, she being the last ever privately owned circus elephant.
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That’s correct. Saigon was the last elephant in Australasia to perform in a circus, when she retired from Perry Bros Circus in 2010. She lived on their property for a further decade before coming to Sydney Zoo.

The last elephant in New Zealand to perform in a circus was Jumbo/Mila, who retired from the Whirling Brothers Circus in 2009.
 
Be informed that thawed semen over fresh sample does have negative impacts on probability of success of any AI procedure. Further, it is a given that it will never beat a (proven / experienced) breeding bull mating elephant cows. At best, AI can be an added on benefit when other procedures might have failed, but surely not as a first and only resort. Hence, my continued apprehensive and critical assertions vis a vis the (erstwhile) Australian policy of AI over a breeding bull being present (build those darn bull quarters indoor and outdoor).

NOTE: The Israel (Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem) example was actually also the last successful AI procedure ..., which is further proof lack of a breeding bull and bull exclosure on site does not bode well for any successful and continuous breeding program from happening.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
Be informed that thawed semen over fresh sample does have negative impacts on probability of success of any AI procedure. Further, it is a given that it will never beat a (proven / experienced) breeding bull mating elephant cows. At best, AI can be an added on benefit when other procedures might have failed, but surely not as a first and only resort. Hence, my continued apprehensive and critical assertions vis a vis the (erstwhile) Australian policy of AI over a breeding bull being present (build those darn bull quarters indoor and outdoor).

NOTE: The Israel (Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem) example was actually also the last successful AI procedure ..., which is further proof lack of a breeding bull and bull exclosure on site does not bode well for any successful and continuous breeding program from happening.
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We’ve been lucky to have had a number of successes with AI in the region - often on the first attempt. One of these was at Melbourne, using semen from Perth. I agree that natural breeding is preferable though - especially considering the costs of AI.

Zoos in Europe and the USA have loaned elephants for breeding. If Australia Zoo decide not to import a bull, perhaps they would consider a loan agreement with Sydney Zoo.

Taronga Zoo should certainly consider a loan agreement with Sydney Zoo for Pak Boon in the next couple of years if they don’t have plans to transfer her to Dubbo.
 
Anjalee has safely arrived at Taronga Western Plains Zoo:

Anjalee is now settling in to her new surroundings, which includes a 30-day quarantine period. Our dedicated elephant keeping staff are staying on with her throughout her quarantine and following this, will be working alongside our Australian zoo colleagues to introduce her to her new elephant family.

We look forward to sharing more updates with you on how she’s doing in the coming weeks, so be sure to check back. As we’ve already shared, the Zoo’s other elephant Burma will be moving to her new zoo home, Australia Zoo, accompanied by some of the Zoo’s elephant team in late April. So, there’s still plenty of time to come and visit and wish her well ahead of her move.
 
Mr.Ivory said:
Hopefully she will integrate flawlessly into their current herd, and soon became a breeding female herself
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Once Anjalee has assimilated into the female herd, I believe the plan is for Thong Dee (and possibly Porntip) to conceive first (to model maternal behaviour); shortly before Anjalee conceives her calf.

Given Gung and Thong Dee’s line is well represented with two first generation bulls and three calves expected from Luk Chai in the next 12 months, I’d expect Pathi Harn to feature in the breeding plans - possibly being paired with Thong Dee.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Anjalee has safely arrived at Taronga Western Plains Zoo:

Anjalee is now settling in to her new surroundings, which includes a 30-day quarantine period. Our dedicated elephant keeping staff are staying on with her throughout her quarantine and following this, will be working alongside our Australian zoo colleagues to introduce her to her new elephant family.

We look forward to sharing more updates with you on how she’s doing in the coming weeks, so be sure to check back. As we’ve already shared, the Zoo’s other elephant Burma will be moving to her new zoo home, Australia Zoo, accompanied by some of the Zoo’s elephant team in late April. So, there’s still plenty of time to come and visit and wish her well ahead of her move.
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Amazing news! Keeping my finger crossed for calves in the future! For those upset that she will be breed with Indian Elephants, there have been studies done showing that the Sri Lankan elephant is genetically the same as the Indian elephants causing it to no longer be a subspecies of the Asian elephant but rather a variation of the Indian elephant like the Malayan Elephant.
 
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