Elephants in the UK

[Charles]

{Note from mods - this thread split from here: Longleat Safari Park 2022 [Longleat Safari & Adventure Park]}

Having just watched today’s episode, I have to admit the coverage of the wolves was excellent. For a series that goes out in a morning slot (and during the school holidays) the production team weren’t afraid to shy away from the emotion and brutality of the story. It’s not often keepers will allow such coverage to be filmed, they were well within their rights to halt filming if they requested it.

I find Animal Park generally easygoing viewing, not too taxing. But sometimes it can produce some excellent pieces (re Nico’s passing, Anne’s story)

I wonder with Anne’s age, when she passes I wonder if they will get any other elephants or something else will go in Anne’s haven

 

[The Hedgehog]

@Charles I would think a Breeding Herd would move into Anne’s Haven. It’s a fairly new purpose built Elephant Enclosure. It was initially built as an Elephant Sanctuary. Due to Anne’s age it was thought best to introduce her to the Goats,rather than another Elephant.

 

[Charles]

@Charles I would think a Breeding Herd would move into Anne’s Haven. It’s a fairly new purpose built Elephant Enclosure. It was initially built as an Elephant Sanctuary. Due to Anne’s age it was thought best to introduce her to the Goats,rather than another Elephant.

I though that the rhinos might move there as I don’t think it would be big enough for a breeding herd as well as a breeding herd being almost impossible to get with any species anymore especially elephants

 

[Embu]

I wonder with Anne’s age, when she passes I wonder if they will get any other elephants or something else will go in Anne’s haven

The original plan when "Anne's Haven" was built/modified was that it was to be a sanctuary for retired/rescued females. I believe due to a combination of Anne's health and mobility it was deemed unfair to bring in other individuals which could have a detrimental impact on her. This was covered in a variety of Animal Park episodes over the years.

Unless plans have changed it will continue to hold retired/rescue elephants once Anne passes away.

 

[The Hedgehog]

@Embu hopefully in the future Anne’s Haven will be able to house more than one Elephant. I would love to see a couple of Elephants or even a small herd. I know that Longleat had a herd of African Elephants prior to their,move to Beaval Zoo in France. This move happened in 2003. It’s been almost 2 decades since Longleat housed more than one Elephant.

 

[Kates89]

The original plan when "Anne's Haven" was built/modified was that it was to be a sanctuary for retired/rescued females. I believe due to a combination of Anne's health and mobility it was deemed unfair to bring in other individuals which could have a detrimental impact on her. This was covered in a variety of Animal Park episodes over the years.

Unless plans have changed it will continue to hold retired/rescue elephants once Anne passes away.

I might be wrong but I thought UK zoos were no longer allowed to have elephants after the current ones passed away?

 

[AthleticBinturong]

I might be wrong but I thought UK zoos were no longer allowed to have elephants after the current ones passed away?

That hasn’t been passed as of yet.

 

[Zoofan15]

I might be wrong but I thought UK zoos were no longer allowed to have elephants after the current ones passed away?

There’s been ongoing discussion about whether to ban keeping them in UK zoos, but to date nothing has come of it.

Zoos like Devon have phased out of their own accord due to the belief they can no longer meet their complex needs and similarly city zoos like London have transferred their herd to the open range Whipsnade site.

 

[Charles]

There’s been ongoing discussion about whether to ban keeping them in UK zoos, but to date nothing has come of it.

Zoos like Devon have phased out of their own accord due to the belief they can no longer meet their complex needs and similarly city zoos like London have transferred their herd to the open range Whipsnade site.

I think the only place I’ve been too which needs to improve their facilities is Chester, it’s way too small for the amount they have but I don’t think a ban will do anything but prevent further saving of the elephants

 

[Kates89]

I think the only place I’ve been too which needs to improve their facilities is Chester, it’s way too small for the amount they have but I don’t think a ban will do anything but prevent further saving of the elephants

This is exactly what I thought, surely youd end up with more killed for tusks ect. Theyre protected in zoos.

 

[Charles]

This is exactly what I thought, surely youd end up with more killed for tusks ect. Theyre protected in zoos.

I think it’s the sad and constant thing, until poaching and deforestation is stopped I don’t think it’s safe to pass these things

 

[Kates89]

I think it’s the sad and constant thing, until poaching and deforestation is stopped I don’t think it’s safe to pass these things

Exactly. I know alot of people have issues with zoos ect but I think as long as the animals are safe, protected, loved and have enough room to still be them, there isnt an issue.

 

[Zoofan15]

I think it’s the sad and constant thing, until poaching and deforestation is stopped I don’t think it’s safe to pass these things

Exactly. I know alot of people have issues with zoos ect but I think as long as the animals are safe, protected, loved and have enough room to still be them, there isnt an issue.

Zoos play a valuable role in safeguarding insurance populations of elephants. They raise awareness for their wild counterparts and generate money for conservation funds. In addition, several European zoos are participating in a EEHV vaccine trial, which will hopefully lead to a vaccine for this devastating disease.

 

[Rajang-GOAT]

I think the only place I’ve been too which needs to improve their facilities is Chester, it’s way too small for the amount they have but I don’t think a ban will do anything but prevent further saving of the elephants

The funny thing is, is that Chester also have one of the best breeding records, are working on the vaccine, and have plans for a new enclosure in the future.

 

[Jambo]

I think the only place I’ve been too which needs to improve their facilities is Chester, it’s way too small for the amount they have but I don’t think a ban will do anything but prevent further saving of the elephants

Especially a new bull paddock imo.

The good news is, they do have plans for an extension of the current enclosure. It's of decent size, but if they wish to grow their herd, an expansion will of course be needed in the future.

 

[Swampy]

Zoos play a valuable role in safeguarding insurance populations of elephants. They raise awareness for their wild counterparts and generate money for conservation funds. In addition, several European zoos are participating in a EEHV vaccine trial, which will hopefully lead to a vaccine for this devastating disease.

At risk of derailing this Longleat specific thread, do they really? Are zoo elephants an effective safety net population? Have there been any successful releases of zoo-bred elephants back to the wild? (genuine question there, as I don't know).

Zoo elephants inarguably have important roles for elephant conservation, through fundraising, education, awareness raising and the like, but I don't think, given the behavioural and logistical issues of elephant reintroduction, that being a safety net population can be considered on that list.

Also, any other opinions regarding elephants in captivity aside, I don't think a UK ban on captive elephants would have any impacts on rates of elephant poaching in the wild.

 

[Jambo]

Are zoo elephants an effective safety net population? Have there been any successful releases of zoo-bred elephants back to the wild? (genuine question there, as I don't know).

Howletts 'plan' to send 13 African elephants back to Kenya. Although afaik this hasn't happened yet

 

[Zoofan15]

Howletts 'plan' to send 13 African elephants back to Kenya. Although afaik this hasn't happened yet

And to be fair, they probably shouldn’t. Those elephants will be poorly equipped to live in the wild and I don’t hold out much hope for their long term survival.

I can see your point @Swampy. In most cases these insurance populations are purely theoretical - as they are with most species in captivity. The hundreds of Sumatran tigers within the captive breeding programme will likely never see the jungles of Indonesia, but since our control over wild populations is limited by factors outside of our control, there’s certainly no harm in safeguarding a genetically healthy population of them within a captive setting.

 

[Charles]

The funny thing is, is that Chester also have one of the best breeding records, are working on the vaccine, and have plans for a new enclosure in the future.

Last post till we go back to Longleat, where is this cause I’ve heard about these plans but nothing more than rumours