Chester Zoo Chester Zoo News 2024
- Thread starter bongorob
- Start date
I would credit her survival to Chester Zoo being so proactive in detecting the virus in her system. From what I’ve seen, elephant calves who are already presenting with symptoms of EEHV before it’s detected have little chance of surviving. Indali by contrast was diagnosed at the earliest possible stage and treatment administered immediately. It undoubtedly saved her life.
Luke899
Well-Known Member
Do we know how many elephants are spread across the UK? I can't find a thread about the UK's elephants, its eluded me.
I hear there are both asian and African aswell.
Prochilodus246
Well-Known Member
This website may be of interest to you: Absolut Elephant database, facts and encyclopedia () - Elephant Encyclopedia and Database
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
There are currently 5:22 (27) Asian Elephants and 11:13 (24) African Elephants in the UK. 6 facilities have Asian Elephants and 5 have African Elephants.
Asian Elephants include Belfast Zoo, Blackpool Zoo, Chester Zoo, Longleat Safari Park, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo and Woburn Safari Park. Though it is worth pointing out that the pair of older cows at Belfast are planned to leave in the near future.
African Elephants include Blair Drummond Safari Park, Colchester Zoo, Howletts Wild Animal Park, Noah's Ark Zoo Farm and West Midlands Safari Park.
The other main Asian Elephant breeding herds are Whipsnade (who have also had problems with EEHV but not to the same extent as Chester) and Blackpool (who will welcome their first calves at the end of the year if everything goes well).
As @Prochilodus246 helpfully pointed out, the Elephant Database, as well as this website Petra Prager – Elefanten-Fotolexikon will help you to find out more about the elephants at these facilities.
Laboratory 7
Well-Known Member
If what I heard the other day the ones at Belfast will be gone in 4 months maybe sooner if they have a fair wind.
I think her survival was due largely to the experience of the zoo's elephant team and the vets. I think they spotted her symptoms early and treated her with antiviral medication - but the most important treatment may have been infusion of blood plasma taken from Aung Bo to provide antibodies to the virus. If I remember correctly, Indali was given a general anaesthetic about 8 times during her treatment, which I think is quite amazing and a tribute to trust that exists between the keepers Indali, Sundara and Aung Bo. This procedure was shown in one of the episodes of The Secret Life of the Zoo.
4 Pieces of Early 2024 News Not Mentioned:
On March 19th, it was announced that the zoo transferred (0.2) bantengs to the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland.
Edinburgh Zoo
On April 2nd, it was mentioned that the zoo transferred 5 blue-crowned laughingthrushes to the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Wales in mid-March*.
On April 16th, it was announced that the zoo transferred (0.4) pygmy marmosets to the Colchester Zoo in Essex.
New Species at Colchester Zoo | Colchester Zoo
On April 22nd, it was announced that the zoo transferred (0.0.3+?) golden mantellas to the Shaldon Zoo in Devon.
Shaldon Wildlife Trust
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On May 17th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) blue-eyed ground dove hatched, marking the 3rd time in history that the species was successfully raised in human care.
Chester Zoo
* Information provided by @JT on the Welsh Mountain Zoo News 2024 thread (Page 1 Posts #8, #10, #12).
On March 19th, it was announced that the zoo transferred (0.2) bantengs to the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland.
Edinburgh Zoo
On April 2nd, it was mentioned that the zoo transferred 5 blue-crowned laughingthrushes to the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Wales in mid-March*.
On April 16th, it was announced that the zoo transferred (0.4) pygmy marmosets to the Colchester Zoo in Essex.
New Species at Colchester Zoo | Colchester Zoo
On April 22nd, it was announced that the zoo transferred (0.0.3+?) golden mantellas to the Shaldon Zoo in Devon.
Shaldon Wildlife Trust
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On May 17th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) blue-eyed ground dove hatched, marking the 3rd time in history that the species was successfully raised in human care.
Chester Zoo
* Information provided by @JT on the Welsh Mountain Zoo News 2024 thread (Page 1 Posts #8, #10, #12).
olhl.animal.photography
Well-Known Member
How plausible is it that these may become onshow at the zoo do you think?
Very unlikely, as they are in Brazil, at a project supported by the zoo.
The zoo also transferred 0.2 agoutis to Northumberland Country Zoo. You can see this in Northumberland’s YouTube channel.
SSLees
Well-Known Member
That's really the game changer with EEHV, is being able to spot it as soon as possible. Sadly it's just such a fast and destructive virus that by the time the symptoms start to appear (like with Indali's siblings previously) then it's already too late.
Am curious though if because Indali has survived EEHV, that she could potentially have her own blood plasma used in the future? If her body now recognises the virus and has antibodies that can tackle it, then she could potentially give her blood for other elephants?
Charles
Well-Known Member
I’m not completely caught up on the elephant history at Chester, is Sheba related to the hi ways or was she unrelated like maya
Sheba was unrelated. She was born 1956 in the wild and had no surviving offspring.
Sheba was notable for giving birth to the African/Asian hybrid Motty in 1978. She previously miscarried a male calf (not hybrid) in 1974.
SSLees
Well-Known Member
Sheba was 56 when she passed away according to Chester Zoo's website and older comments here on ZooChat. And apparently she was there for 46 years prior to her death as their Matriarch.
Now if we're basing this on how elephants normally behave, which is the oldest female being the Matriarch and mother of most of the herd. Then that would at her related to the Hi Way Herd.
Having said that, it is known for unrelated females to join families. Just not sure if it's been known for unrelated females to then become Matriarchs.
But this is just wild guessing, so feel free to correct me or prove me wrong.
SSLees
Well-Known Member
Okay, never mind my comment then. Didn't see yours until I posted it, my bad!
Also she actually gave birth to a hybrid? Honestly didn't expect Chester Zoo to have hybrid elephants in their history.
Yes, it’s certainly something you wouldn’t see in zoos today!
Chester were notable for the first birth of an elephant in a UK zoo (Jubilee, born 1977); and then made history the following year with the hybrid Motty:
Motty - Wikipedia
SSLees
Well-Known Member
I can imagine them trying that now would be very controversial and cause all sorts of problems in regards to animal welfare.
But still a big achievement, right off the heels of the first proper Asian elephant born in the UK too.
They didn't "try it" back then either - the whole situation arose because no one thought the two species were interfertile and hence saw no need to keep Sheba away from the African bull.
SSLees
Well-Known Member
Yeah back then, they didn't. Like you said, no one had any idea it was possible for them to breed together. Plus this was during a time where zoos didn't have the knowledge about animal welfare that they do now.
But I was talking about them try it today where we do know it is possible, and we're much more aware of animal welfare. These days, zoos like Chester Zoo do not keep African and Asian elephants in the same paddock together. To be fair, not even sure there are any places in the UK that have both species in their collection.
Back then, was an accident. But for it to happen today would have to be intentional.