Dallas Zoo Dallas Zoo News 2024


The chick hatched in June — it was just released into the wild in Louisiana with the cohort from the Audubon Species Survival Center.
Super tragic news, the chick was fatally shot dead on January 9th near Mamou, Louisiana.:(
Dallas Zoo
 
The zoo has introduced their one-year-old African Elephant calf Okubili to his father, Tendaji, after some careful introductions, and now they are sharing space together on habitat!

Hanging out with mom and dad. After careful planning and delicate introductions, Okubili is now spending time on habitat with dad Tendaji! While still... | By Dallas ZooFacebook
I didn't know zoos let the fathers around the calfs, that's really cool! Okubili also gets to learn how to be a bull straight from his dad, which could be really good for his future as a potential breeder!
 
I didn't know zoos let the fathers around the calfs, that's really cool! Okubili also gets to learn how to be a bull straight from his dad, which could be really good for his future as a potential breeder!
It's really important for socialisation purposes, and a lot of zoos actually do this with their elephants. This can be done with both male and female calves, but its obviously more of a benefit for the male calves who learn essentials skills and behaviours.
 
I didn't know zoos let the fathers around the calfs, that's really cool! Okubili also gets to learn how to be a bull straight from his dad, which could be really good for his future as a potential breeder!
Taronga Western Plains Zoo does let their male calves in with their fathers.
It's really important for socialisation purposes, and a lot of zoos actually do this with their elephants. This can be done with both male and female calves, but its obviously more of a benefit for the male calves who learn essentials skills and behaviours.

Melbourne Zoo introduced their three elephants calves (aged 15-17 months) to their father when they were around the 12 month mark. It’s common for adult bulls to act as mentors to younger bulls in zoos and it’s beneficial for both genders to observe reproductive behaviours as juveniles. Young bulls learn how to mount cows; and cows learn to stand for bulls. In cases where the calves have opposite sex peers, they sometimes practice this behaviour post-observation through play.
 
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