These 2 are both female or what ...? The Mesker Park Zoo owns an older pair at 18 / 17 years of age.
Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens Los Angeles Zoo News 2025
- Thread starter Elena
- Start date
I believe they are two females - a mother and her daughter.
On my Visit Today:
-At the Animal Care Center, I was lucky enough, along with the Visitors, to see the La Plata or Southern Three-banded Armadillo, which lives with the White-faced Saki Monkeys at the Animal Care Center in the Children's Zoo. The Staff present was setting up encirhment and food for Armadillo, and I even liked the sand pit, which also had sand castles built by the staff as enrichment.
-The African Walkthrough Aviary had its Trees Trimmed, and platforms have been placed for the Nesting Spoonbills and Ibises. Some of the Asian birds, like the White-collared Starling, were moved from the Second Aviary, which is still closed off.
-Animals like the Jaguar and Mountain Tapir were active today and gave visitors a lucky chance to see them.
-The Cambodian Viewing Area of Elephants of Asia is still closed off.
-Lastly, the Trumpeter Swan Habitat is almost ready with the Filtration System in place, the pool is filled with water, and the waterwheel is moving. All that's left is to move the Trumpeter Swans in, hopefully, the area will open around this month or next month.
-At the Animal Care Center, I was lucky enough, along with the Visitors, to see the La Plata or Southern Three-banded Armadillo, which lives with the White-faced Saki Monkeys at the Animal Care Center in the Children's Zoo. The Staff present was setting up encirhment and food for Armadillo, and I even liked the sand pit, which also had sand castles built by the staff as enrichment.
-The African Walkthrough Aviary had its Trees Trimmed, and platforms have been placed for the Nesting Spoonbills and Ibises. Some of the Asian birds, like the White-collared Starling, were moved from the Second Aviary, which is still closed off.
-Animals like the Jaguar and Mountain Tapir were active today and gave visitors a lucky chance to see them.
-The Cambodian Viewing Area of Elephants of Asia is still closed off.
-Lastly, the Trumpeter Swan Habitat is almost ready with the Filtration System in place, the pool is filled with water, and the waterwheel is moving. All that's left is to move the Trumpeter Swans in, hopefully, the area will open around this month or next month.
April animal transactions: https://lazoo.org/wp-content/upload...sion-Animal-Transaction-Report-April-2025.pdf
February meeting minutes: https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2-Zoo-Commission-APPROVED-MINUTES-2.18.25.pdf
February meeting minutes: https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2-Zoo-Commission-APPROVED-MINUTES-2.18.25.pdf
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
The zoo's last 1.1 Asian Elephants Billy and Tina are moving to the Tulsa Zoo later this year. Guess the pressure over keeping them finally caught up to them.
LA Zoo elephants will be relocated to preserve in Oklahoma – NBC Los Angeles.
LA Zoo elephants will be relocated to preserve in Oklahoma – NBC Los Angeles.
An important quote from the announcement.
"The Los Angeles Zoo works tirelessly to assure that all its animals, including the elephants, receive the best care possible, and visitors have enjoyed watching the Zoo’s elephants for years," the LA Zoo said in it announcement. "The decision is driven by the L.A. Zoo’s unwavering commitment to the health and wellbeing of all the animals in its care. Following the move, the Zoo will pause its elephant program for the immediate future. The Zoo will continue to support Asian elephant conservation programs and the Elephants of Asia exhibit will be reimagined for other suitable species and programming."
"The Los Angeles Zoo works tirelessly to assure that all its animals, including the elephants, receive the best care possible, and visitors have enjoyed watching the Zoo’s elephants for years," the LA Zoo said in it announcement. "The decision is driven by the L.A. Zoo’s unwavering commitment to the health and wellbeing of all the animals in its care. Following the move, the Zoo will pause its elephant program for the immediate future. The Zoo will continue to support Asian elephant conservation programs and the Elephants of Asia exhibit will be reimagined for other suitable species and programming."
For those who can't access the Facebook post (like me):
MSN
It's possible, but there are other potential factors here too. The Asian elephant population in US zoos isn't doing too well apparently, so they might not be able to rebuild a herd without an import from abroad (which could cause its own media storm, in addition to the logistical and financial aspects). The mayor of Los Angeles also just proposed a budget that would slash city department funding and lay off hundreds of employees because of a ~$1 billion deficit the city currently has, so some of the calculus could be financial.
Overall not surprised at all by this decision, and I'm sure the elephants will be taken care of well at Tulsa... but for LA this is disappointing. Their exhibit is large and right in the center of the zoo, so once it's empty it will only amplify the already-existing vibe the zoo has of being slowly emptied out. These are also the last Asian elephants in a California zoo; with Phoenix also phasing out, there will soon be no Asian elephants within reasonable driving distance for nearly the whole state.
MSN
It's possible, but there are other potential factors here too. The Asian elephant population in US zoos isn't doing too well apparently, so they might not be able to rebuild a herd without an import from abroad (which could cause its own media storm, in addition to the logistical and financial aspects). The mayor of Los Angeles also just proposed a budget that would slash city department funding and lay off hundreds of employees because of a ~$1 billion deficit the city currently has, so some of the calculus could be financial.
Overall not surprised at all by this decision, and I'm sure the elephants will be taken care of well at Tulsa... but for LA this is disappointing. Their exhibit is large and right in the center of the zoo, so once it's empty it will only amplify the already-existing vibe the zoo has of being slowly emptied out. These are also the last Asian elephants in a California zoo; with Phoenix also phasing out, there will soon be no Asian elephants within reasonable driving distance for nearly the whole state.
Didn't see that one coming. It's unfortunate they were never able to fill out the complex with a real breeding herd like it's capable of housing. Lots of potential for redevelopment of course, but as @Coelacanth18 correctly implied, the city's budget is being stretched thin -- especially with the added pressure of rebuilding the city after January's fires in time for the 2028 olympics. Given the limited population, financial strain, and never-ending onslaught of activist pressure, it's a good call.
"The elephants program underwent an evaluation over the past year. The decision to move the elephants was not related to recent proposals to close a significant city of Los Angeles budget deficit, the Zoo said."
Luckily it's not a budget thing, moreso an SSP shakeup thing. Either way, I think Marshall the rhino's gonna have a massive upgrade exhibitwise
Samueltiger
Well-Known Member
This breaks my heart
peruvianbirdie
Well-Known Member
Very sad but I'm beyond grateful they won't rot away at a sanctuary (oh boy activist are gonna love this
), I sure hope Billy is able to reproduce but unsure about moving Tina an already elderly individual. As mentioned though, Marshall can potentially get a new paddock and in the foreseeable future contribute to the SSP program. Well guess that's that, hopefully this relieves pressure for the zoo, will miss Billy and Tina.
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peruvianbirdie
Well-Known Member
Might be crazy but maybe the elephant complex and be turned into a giraffe/mixed savanna habitat though it does sounds ludicrous and ruins the Asian theme.
peruvianbirdie
Well-Known Member
Maybe the area can be called "The Living Savannas" focusing on animals to the grasslands of Africa and Asia.
Here is the posting on the zoo's official news bulletin:
L.A. ZOO TO RELOCATE ELEPHANTS TO TULSA ZOO’S NEWLY EXPANDED ELEPHANT HABITAT AND PRESERVE - Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Of relevance:
L.A. ZOO TO RELOCATE ELEPHANTS TO TULSA ZOO’S NEWLY EXPANDED ELEPHANT HABITAT AND PRESERVE - Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Of relevance:
I'm going to miss Billy and Tina seeing the Elephants at the Los Angeles Zoo formed a part of my childhood I was recently 11 years old on my Birthday when my Family and I went to Elephants of Asia when it opened and I even wrote a short story when Billy visited a school back in Elementary.
I have so many mixed emotions about this move. On the one hand, it would be lovely for Billy to have a chance to mate, so I'm hopeful for him. But Tina has already been through so much in her 58 years, and I'm worried that this change might be really stressful for her. They will definitely be missed. However, I will not miss the horrible (paid) protestors that harassed the guests every Sunday morning, and at every nighttime event.
