Elephant theory

[dragon(ele)nerd]

hey everyone,

Just want to get some people's thought on this:

In the wild female cows specifically look out for bigger, stronger and most importantly older males to mate with. Supposedly more so ensurely their calves survival. With such a high mortality rate in zoos, is this because of the usual group of young cows and a young bull come over and mate, a few stillbirths at the start but then everything seem to go ok? I know there are lots of exceptions to this though. and observing some things older bulls in zoos like late 20's to 30's and 40's often have surviving offspring. Though of course this is contary in some cases because of herpes etc.

Just want to get some people thought on this? Is what cows are doing correct?

 

[Jurek7]

I think there is no indication that age of bull improves survival of the calf.

I think problems arise because too young bulls cannot succesfully mount female, females are inexperienced, herpes, and possibly too small birthing stalls which make it easy to step or damage the young calf.

I am also not sure if wild elephant females look for bulls. I think they advertise their presence and wait. Males sort between themselves who fathers the calf. It is usually the oldest and strongest bull. Sometimes, when female is young and not fully grown, older females push away the biggest bull.

 

[dragon(ele)nerd]

thanks jurek7. I'm somewhat aware at those factors I just wanted to know if that females seek out the biggest bulls specifically.