Australasian Asian Elephant Population 2022

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Jambo said:
Melbourne’s only ever used that naming convention with great apes unfortunately; and the fact that there’s very limited Thai names available probably stops them from using the mother’s initial convention. Think of the fact that Melbourne only have three founders; and thus, will only ever have elephants with three initials apart of their herd. With the herd set to reach its 20’s at Werribee, it would be hard to imagine ten elephants all with Thai ‘D’ names. They’d start sounding too similar.
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Melbourne have previously used it for African lions, Temminck’s golden cats and Leopard cats and are currently using it for Hamadryas baboon.

I agree, though this could be preempted by applying the convention to the offspring of the first generation cows. As a starting point, you’d have M and A calves born to Mali and Aiyara - but free-choice of names for the offspring of the founder cows (bar A and M which are already taken). This way, names for first generation cows could be chosen using letters that’s have multiple names e.g. C names.

Using this convention, you could end up with up to six different letters represented in the herd depending on how many daughters Dokkoon and Num Oi produce (assuming a maximum of three daughters each here).
 
Melbourne Zoo - elephant calves now on display:

Aiyara and Roi-Yim have gone on display for the first time as reported by @marmolady in the gallery (check out the photos).

It’s exciting to think that next month, we’ll hopefully welcome a third calf from Num Oi - making for a fascinating exhibit as the calves reach various milestones and interact with both each other and the adult cows.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Melbourne Zoo - elephant calves now on display:

Aiyara and Roi-Yim have gone on display for the first time as reported by @marmolady in the gallery (check out the photos).

It’s exciting to think that next month, we’ll hopefully welcome a third calf from Num Oi - making for a fascinating exhibit as the calves reach various milestones and interact with both each other and the adult cows.
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I would of thought Melbourne Zoo would have put the new elephant complex ahead of a Bison paddock since the herd is fast growing with another 1 on the way!
 
Zorro said:
I would of thought Melbourne Zoo would have put the new elephant complex ahead of a Bison paddock since the herd is fast growing with another 1 on the way!
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They have fast tracked the elephant project as of my last visit to Werribee. The foundations of the elephant complex were being laid; the same with the Bison enclosure. So considering the Bison enclosure was meant to be completed last year, it’s obviously been pushed back two years allowing the elephant construction to come forward a bit.
 
Zorro said:
I would of thought Melbourne Zoo would have put the new elephant complex ahead of a Bison paddock since the herd is fast growing with another 1 on the way!
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Jambo said:
They have fast tracked the elephant project as of my last visit to Werribee. The foundations of the elephant complex were being laid; the same with the Bison enclosure. So considering the Bison enclosure was meant to be completed last year, it’s obviously been pushed back two years allowing the elephant construction to come forward a bit.
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I guess with Bison paddock, the infrastructure needed is compatively minimal, so it's something they can progress with, while the elephant complex continues in conjunction with it.

It'll be an exciting development for Werribee, which has previously lagged behind Monarto and Dubbo.
 
Zoofan15 said:
I guess with Bison paddock, the infrastructure needed is compatively minimal, so it's something they can progress with, while the elephant complex continues in conjunction with it.

It'll be an exciting development for Werribee, which has previously lagged behind Monarto and Dubbo.
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There’s not much they need for a Bison Paddock besides the fence. ;)

Hopefully this move will also mean space will be made for the African Waterhole complex to be built in that part of the zoo too; which Werribee will be wanting to complete following the elephant complex in 2024.
 
What kind of bison? Water Buffalo?

if American or African buffalo/bison it doesn’t vibe well with Asian elephants next to it…

just saying. :)
 
ZCChip said:
What kind of bison? Water Buffalo?

if American or African buffalo/bison it doesn’t vibe well with Asian elephants next to it…

just saying. :)
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They’re American Bison, and their enclosure will be on the other side of the zoo so not right next to the elephants. ;)

The construction of that habitat was initially scheduled prior to the elephants, but with Covid delaying construction, they’ve now pushed the bison enclosure back and moved the elephant complex forward so it can be completed by 2024.
 
ZCChip said:
What kind of bison? Water Buffalo?

if American or African buffalo/bison it doesn’t vibe well with Asian elephants next to it…

just saying. :)
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To be fair, Asian elephants don’t really vibe well with anything at Werribee - which has largely focussed on African megafauna to date. But I’m not complaining, the complex will be phenomenal and a stand alone precinct in its own right.

Since the other open range zoos in the region are so heavily focussed on African megafauna (especially Monarto), it’s nice to see Werribee diversifying with large paddocks for Asian elephant and Bison. Long term, I’d also like to see Indian rhinoceros give their Indian antelope some company. :p
 
Jambo said:
Thought you guys might be interested in seeing a photo of Ongard, who’s now 12 years of age. He looks to be growing into quite an impressive bull; and is beginning to look a lot like his mother, Kulab.

Zoo Miami on Instagram: "Happy #WorldVeganDay from some of our herbivore friends here at #ZooMiami! : Nicole Hunnewell, Charlene Yuhr, Kristen Kendrick"
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I’m glad Ongard has kept his remaining tusk thus far. Luk Chai and Man Jai are impressive young bulls, but there’s nothing like seeing a fully mature Asian elephant bull with two intact tusks.

There’s been anecdotal evidence to suggest bulls in city zoos are more prone to damaging their tusks; so will be interesting to see if this is supported as bulls like Sabai and Roi-Yim mature in open range environments.
 
Asian Elephant Population - 2022/2023 Summary

2022 Summary:

It’s been a monumental year for Australasia’s Asian elephant population.

As scheduled, Anjalee (2006) departed Auckland Zoo for Taronga Western Plains Zoo in March. She’s settled well into their herd, forming a strong bond with their youngest female; and has also begun introductions to the bulls.

We got a surprise (as did Auckland Zoo) when Australia Zoo cancelled their import of Burma (1982) in April. This has delayed Auckland Zoo’s plans to phase out elephants with staff now working on finding Burma a new home. In the meantime, she’s reportedly adjusted well to life on her own and is enjoying the attention.

Melbourne Zoo have had an exciting year with the birth of two calves in November 2022 - Dokkoon (1993) gave birth to a female named Aiyara; and Mali (2010) delivered a male named Ro-Yim. Both were sired by Luk Chai (2009). The calves are thriving and have integrated well into the herd, which is expecting a third calf within the next month.

It was revealed this year that Taronga Zoo plan to phase out elephants, joining a number of city zoos in the region that have either phased of elephants or have plans to do so in the near future. No date has been confirmed for the phase out, but a timeframe of within the next 3-5 years, coinciding with an expansion of the Dubbo facilities seems likely.

Sydney Zoo farewelled their elderly female, Saigon (1958), who died in February this year. Her death reduces the zoo’s population to two adolescent bulls with no apparent plans to acquire more elephants as the bulls mature and require more space/time apart.

Perth Zoo grieved the loss of their elderly female, Tricia (1957), in September this year. At 65 years of age, Tricia set a regional record for longevity and was also one of the eldest elephants in the world when she died. Staff are now undertaking the search for a new home/s for their elephants as part of their phase out.

2023 Summary:

Num Oi (2001) at Melbourne Zoo is expecting a calf in January, joining the two calves born in November 2022.

I’m hopeful we’ll hear an announcement from both Auckland and Perth Zoo by the end of 2023 on where Burma (1982) and Permai (1989) will be heading. It’s been widely speculated Putra Mas (1989) will be transferred to Werribee Open Range Zoo, which may also be confirmed next year.

It’s unlikely we’ll hear any pregnancy announcements in 2023. Anjalee (2006) at Taronga Western Plains Zoo will hopefully conceive within the next year, possibly alongside Porntip (1992) or Thong Dee (1997) - but Dubbo have announced pregnancies as late as 16 months and with Anjalee being a first time mother, a late announcement is likely.

————————————

Please note: This summary will be followed next month by a full population list update.

This will be posted as the first post of the 2023 thread, so we have the information to hand throughout the year (like we do with the other population threads).
 
Zoofan15 said:
Asian Elephant Population - 2022/2023 Summary

2022 Summary:

It’s been a monumental year for Australasia’s Asian elephant population.

As scheduled, Anjalee (2006) departed Auckland Zoo for Taronga Western Plains Zoo in March. She’s settled well into their herd, forming a strong bond with their youngest female; and has also begun introductions to the bulls.

We got a surprise (as did Auckland Zoo) when Australia Zoo cancelled their import of Burma (1982) in April. This has delayed Auckland Zoo’s plans to phase out elephants with staff now working on finding Burma a new home. In the meantime, she’s reportedly adjusted well to life on her own and is enjoying the attention.

Melbourne Zoo have had an exciting year with the birth of two calves in November 2022 - Dokkoon (1993) gave birth to a female named Aiyara; and Mali (2010) delivered a male named Ro-Yim. Both were sired by Luk Chai (2009). The calves are thriving and have integrated well into the herd, which is expecting a third calf within the next month.

It was revealed this year that Taronga Zoo plan to phase out elephants, joining a number of city zoos in the region that have either phased of elephants or have plans to do so in the near future. No date has been confirmed for the phase out, but a timeframe of within the next 3-5 years, coinciding with an expansion of the Dubbo facilities seems likely.

Sydney Zoo farewelled their elderly female, Saigon (1958), who died in February this year. Her death reduces the zoo’s population to two adolescent bulls with no apparent plans to acquire more elephants as the bulls mature and require more space/time apart.

Perth Zoo grieved the loss of their elderly female, Tricia (1957), in September this year. At 65 years of age, Tricia set a regional record for longevity and was also one of the eldest elephants in the world when she died. Staff are now undertaking the search for a new home/s for their elephants as part of their phase out.

2023 Summary:

Num Oi (2001) at Melbourne Zoo is expecting a calf in January, joining the two calves born in November 2022.

I’m hopeful we’ll hear an announcement from both Auckland and Perth Zoo by the end of 2023 on where Burma (1982) and Permai (1989) will be heading. It’s been widely speculated Putra Mas (1989) will be transferred to Werribee Open Range Zoo, which may also be confirmed next year.

It’s unlikely we’ll hear any pregnancy announcements in 2023. Anjalee (2006) at Taronga Western Plains Zoo will hopefully conceive within the next year, possibly alongside Porntip (1992) or Thong Dee (1997) - but Dubbo have announced pregnancies as late as 16 months and with Anjalee being a first time mother, a late announcement is likely.

————————————

Please note: This summary will be followed next month by a full population list update.

This will be posted as the first post of the 2023 thread, so we have the information to hand throughout the year (like we do with the other population threads).
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I personally reckon if Taronga's at least able to hold bulls in the interim, that might alleviate spatial issues as far as expanding Western Plains' facilities. Maybe it's just me being wishful as far as Taronga continuing with elephants, even if it's not a breeding situation.
 
StoppableSan said:
I personally reckon if Taronga's at least able to hold bulls in the interim, that might alleviate spatial issues as far as expanding Western Plains' facilities. Maybe it's just me being wishful as far as Taronga continuing with elephants, even if it's not a breeding situation.
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To be honest, Taronga Western Plains Zoo doesn’t have much of a surplus of bulls at this point in time. Gung (2000) is their main breeding bull and if Thong Dee (1997) is to have another calf, I’m confident they’d breed her with Pathi Harn (2010) rather than repeat a Gung x Thong Dee mating for the third time.

As Sabai (2016) matures, he’ll begin to clash with Pathi Harn, who tolerates him for now. At this point, I’d hope they’d consider exporting him to the US. He’s unrelated to our previous export (Ongard) and he’d surely be put to better use than he would in Australasia, where he’ll likely never breed due to over representation.

The transfer of Pak Boon (1992) and Tang Mo (1999) from Taronga will ultimately do little to expand the Dubbo herd as Tang Mo is non breeding and I suspect they’ve removed Pak Boon from the breeding programme.
 
IndianRhino said:
Why have they removed Pak Boon from the breeding program? Isn't she an unrepresented founder to the population? Breeding her should be a priority over breeding Thong Dee and Porntip again.
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To be clear, none of us know for sure she’s been removed from the breeding programme; but we suspect she may have been due to her TB infection. It lay dormant (and undetected) for many years, only to flair up following Tukta’s delivery in 2010.

Pak Boon was put on strong antibiotics - as she was again following Jai Dee’s birth in 2017; but it’s an expensive and ongoing process and something the zoo may not consider viable to undertake (despite her genetic value as a now unrepresented founder); or ethical (stress on the elephant).

Something I’ve wondered is whether a weakened immune system from TB could cause EEHV to activate. I believe she was on the TB antibiotics for about a year and it’s coincidental it was a little over a year after the birth of her second calf that Tukta succumbed to the virus. I mention this purely as an observation.
 
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