Little Rock Zoo Little Rock Zoo

C

Cyberscribe

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The Little Rock Zoo is a small 33 acre zoo that is in need of serious help. It severely lacks funding and is the only zoo in the state of Arkansas. The zoo is trying to become a very professional zoo that places it's animals in exhibits that are made to look like their native environment like African Forest, African Plains, Asia, Arkansas, South America, and North America, but because of lack of funding it will be some time before this will become a reality. What is your opinion about this small zoo? Do you think this zoo will ever become the zoo it aspires to be? What kinds of new animals would you like to see in these future exhibits?
 
I could see welfare grounds under which it would be inadvisable to sent her outside exactly on welfare grounds. It remains much harder to integrate an elderly elephant into an existing socially well-structured herd. Often elderly elephants have behavioural or health issues associated with them.

At this moment in time, I cannot see from among the current crop of accredited zoos exhibiting Asiatic elephants an realistic opening for her. Unless, that is the Cincinnati variant outside on the ranch. Hence, best option would be to transfer in a similarly aged elephant among SSP zoos living alone and whose welfare would benefit her relocation to Little Rock (so as not to leave a space/exhibit vacant).


Again, from a financial perspective: To be also realistic Little Rock Zoo is far fetched from having the financial resources to deal with an exhibit needing to be upgraded for another species or make way completely for a new exhibit (and thus leaving an eyesore at the zoo instead).
 
@Kifaru Bwana: as you probably know AZA is really pushing for all accredited zoos to have a minimum of 3 elephants, and thus even if Little Rock brought in a second elephant they would still fall short of the minimum requirement. Jackson Zoo in Mississippi was worried about becoming re-accredited in 2010 and thus they sent their two elephants to Nashville Zoo in Tennessee. AZA accreditation can affect a zoo's entire livelihood and based on that fact I'd be shocked if Little Rock had elephants in its long-term plans.
 
The survival rate of elderly elephants who have been moved is not great.
That must be weighed against the other factors as well.
 
In Jackson's situation, meeting AZA standards was not the leading factor in moving their elephants. Elephants are very expensive and for zoos feeling the brunt of the current economic climate, moving their elephants out is very attractive. Other zoos, besides Jackson, are facing the same pressure. Toronto is another example.

Little Rock is financially heavily invested into the Elephant SSP - they are in it for the long term. Elder female Asians can be sourced from other zoos (possibly Reid Park, Louisville, San Antonio) and many from private hands (Little Rock received Mary from Ringling Bros in 2001). And even if Little Rock finds it necessary to ship Ellen out, there are also several options including Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, National, etc.
 
It has nothing to do with three elephants. It is a recommendation which AZA knows is hard to enforce considering the current population. Hence, the exceptions clause. Most zoos which are getting out of elephants lack the resources to maintain the elephants, the facilities and the experienced staff to maintain them.
Just off the top of my head Baton Rouge, Audubon, Waco, Greenville, ElPaso, Garden City, Atlanta, Rochester, Buffalo and Fresno have two elephants. Santa Barbara has two but they are getting out of elephants. Jackson(MS) decision had nothing to do with the three elephant recommendation. It was resources, staff turnover and very outdated facility.
Kudos to Little Rock and Ringling for making the acquisition of these two elephants so fast. Shows what can be done when we just do it and not talk about it for years.
 
The Little Rock is trying there hardest to make the best out of a bad situation. As a member I visit quite often.(usually once a week) They are truly strapped for cash, the state doesnt think its there problem so the City of Little Rock is left with the bill. But I do belive they are going in the right direction with there peguin point addition and the new Cheetah habitat opening in 2 weeks. Of course alot of there enclosures need updated but that is in the works. It is so small compared to a lot of the bigger zoos within a 8 hr drive of Little Rock. A couple of years ago they had the oppertunity to aquire several acres right next to the zoo that was an old baseball park but sadly didnt have the funding. In the future I would love to see some Hippos and Polar bears. But before they even consider making new enclosures they need to upgrade what they already have. As far as there poor elephants go, I could do with out them. They have very little space even after recent renovations it looks more like a factory than an elephant habitat.
 
It sounds to me like they should send their elephant to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennesse. That is a haven for elderly elephants.
 
I have already viewed the new enclosure and revamped African outpost building last week. There were far to many people there to even consider taking a half decent picture. I am headed back this afternoon and will attemp to get a few pictures and give a detailed review.
 
Cichlid if they could get solid funding a rock star exhibit could definitely improve the revenue funding situation to finance the rest of the improvements ie Birmingham.
 
I couldnt agree with you more. They have the 8 million from last years tax increase but they havent decided what to do with it yet. There are rumors of Hippos. Personaly I think they should seek out some corporate sponsors, to help turn the zoo around. The zoo is starting to head in the right direction its just going to be a long process.
 
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