Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo news 2010 #2

It would seem then (to me at least), that Colchester is out the running for elephant breeding for now, unless they try with Tanya since she's already bred successfully, although all three cows are approaching their thirties according to Elephant Encyclopaedia.

Just my thoughts.
 
Opal didn't have the nicest early years, but then that can be said for many captive elephants of her generation I suppose. Although I don't agree with breeding elephants to sustain captive herds, I do think she deserved a shot at being a mother.
 
Aww, this is so sad after such a long anticipation and for the 2nd time in a row with the female elephants there. Quite obviously a scenario where she does retain the calf for years must mean her chances of ever having another successful pregnancy and birth are hugely reduced (depending on how old she is when/if it finally happens).
 
Yes indeed sad:(.

I think it will be a long time before any more calves at Colchester. Does anyone think they might sell Tembo and just give the whole paddock to the remaining 3 cows?
 
If they hope to continue breeding, they might try to bring in a couple of much younger females e.g. ten years age group, as they have the space.
 
An ideal scenario would be for tanya to be given another opportunity to rear a calf (for her to rear a female would be fantastic) and the bull moved on to allow a multi-generational unit to have access to the full complex. If this situation occurred there would still exist a facility for any future visiting bull, for when any female calves mature or if any further cows were acquired. If tembo was moved on, I would be very surprised if this involved any financial transaction outside of transport costs.

However, I suspect the surplus of bulls in the captive population might mean that any institution with a facility that can hold a bull, will.
 
johnstoni said:
If tembo was moved on, I would be very surprised if this involved any financial transaction outside of transport costs.
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But who would take him- at least in the UK? I have a feeling Colchester won't want to admit defeat either, in which case younger females are their answer- apart from possibly another calf from Tanya. I'm sure they want a proper 'family unit' in that enclosure.
 
Pertinax said:
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But who would take him- at least in the UK? I have a feeling Colchester won't want to admit defeat either, in which case younger females are their answer- apart from possibly another calf from Tanya. I'm sure they want a proper 'family unit' in that enclosure.
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that was my last point, that there are few institutions willing to take a mature bull unless their own bull has died, or unless they have just developed bull-holding facilities. Colchester, now with an ability to hold adult bulls, can't really get away with not doing so. However, I'm really not fond of the outdoor space for the Colchester elephants and I think a break from keeping a bull where the space has to be split most of the time would be a wise move after the next pregnancy.

Their breeding program has so far produced 2 bull calves, resulted in the death of one adult cow and produced 3 stillborns, two of which have been retained at great risk to the cows. Despite this, I still think the benefit of breeding from this herd has been great. However, I would like to see them try for a female calf once more with Tanya, and then retire the current adult cows along with the resulting calf, regardless of its gender, giving them access to the full complex, until such time that the calf is either old enough to breed, unless a younger cow is introduced in the interim for the purpose of giving any existing calf experience of preganancy and birth in its herd.
 
From the visitor's perspective, I always think it rather odd that the holding facility for Tembo is off show, particularly when you consider what a draw a large male elephant is. You can occasionally get a (partially obscured) glimpse of him in the far paddock through the trees if there aren't any leaves on them, or if you lean over the Spirit of Africa balcony but that's hardly satisfactory and I personally think it's a huge shame he can't be properly viewed. I can't think of any other animal at Colchester who is kept permanently off show like he is .... it seems such a wasted opportunity.
 
Tembo can still be viewed from the Umphafa road train, though viewing is still limited.
Before the Umphafa train was started, he was always on show and the path led all the way around the paddock to familiar friends. Maybe the fencing to protect the public was inadequate? I noticed that there have been some tree like electric 'fences' put up over the last few years.
I would also like to see another one or two young females brought in. Im sure they have enough room considering they held 7 this time 3 years ago :D
 
Maybe he got into the habit of throwing items at the public. This certainly resulted in the unsightly 6ft safety barriers at Howletts and Port Lympne.

I don't agree that Colchester zoo have space for 7 elephants. Especially as the hotwire restricts rough play, doesn't provide any surface to lean on, scratch against as would a solid barrier. I would really like Colchester to develop a haha moat for the elephants, move the bull on and combine the paddock space.
 
I still think Colchester may get around their current breeding problems by adding one or two younger females to the group if they can get them. The older females could then remain as exhibits only while they would breed from Tanya(maybe again) and the younger ones.

Having built that modern house and paddocks I'm sure they won't be prepared just to go backwards and become merely a non-breeding facility. I too would prefer to see more interesting(for the elephants) paddocks but that's my only real criticism of their setup. I think where they went wrong wass in tryin to get a successful group going from these older females- though if the two calves had been females, things could have been very different.
 
Tembo can be viewed at times from the kids area. But you do have to look out carefully to see him. I think at first it was made easier to see him in the house?

I simply don't know whats best for the future of Colchester's elephants. I think the paddock should be given to all the elephants not just having it split! Perhaps a safety barrier would be better than hotwire.

I really feel for Colchester's elephant keepers. Having met some of them I do know quite well the hard work they into the elephants lives.
 
karenZOO said:
I wonder if they darted him this time or used the training they did for the move although he probably wouldn't fall for it a second time :D
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They obviously knocked him out for the actual procedure.They were right to be concerned too, as even now anaethesia can be tricky and more than one male Gorilla has died while on the Dentist's operating table...
 
aww he must have really needed it doing then.

Good job we didn't know he was having it done or SOME of us would be holding a vigil :D OTHERS already planning his replacement :rolleyes: :p :eek:
 
They did indeed use the traget training with Rajang. I only know he reacted better than they thought to the anesthetic and is doing well after his trip to the dentist.
 
Goretex said:
Tembo can be viewed at times from the kids area. But you do have to look out carefully to see him.
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Have to admit this is the area of the zoo I visit least because it's 'boring' :o (apart from the 'how fast can you run' stopwatch game thing) ..... but the few times I've been up round there I haven't noticed Tembo, though will definitely go and have another look the next time I go. You still wouldn't be able to photograph him though would you ? :(
 
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