North American African Elephant Population 2023

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E Maximus

E Maximus

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5+ year member
I have created a new thread as this year is gearing up to be a big year for the population and the previous one was getting kind of big(it was really hard to make sure I didn't miss any information for 2022). Hopefully, this will help in the search for yearly information moving forward! Please let me know if you notice any inaccuracies below!

2022 Yearly Overview

2022 was an Ele-fantastic year for the African elephant population. If my research is correct, there were no deaths within the African Elephant population in 2022! We experience a net gain of 2 with a new breeding monster emerging out of Omaha, Nebraska at Henry Doorly Zoo! There was a total of 2 births and 4 transfers.

0.1 Kosti (Wild x Wild) was transferred to the Memphis Zoo from Franzen Brothers Circus on July 13th, 2022

0.1 Megu (Wild x Wild) was transferred to Six Flags Great Adventure in July 2022

1.0 Vus’musi (Wild x Ndulamitsi) was transferred back to San Diego Zoo Safari Park in November 2022

1.0 Mabhulane (Wild x Wild) was transferred to Fresno Chaffee Zoo in November 2022

0.1 Eugenia (Callee x Kiki) was born January 7th, 2022 at Henry Doorly Zoo

1.0 Sonny (Callee x Claire) was born January 30th, 2022 at Henry Doorly Zoo

There were no deaths in 2022!!

Current Population

Currently, there are approximately 177 African Elephants in North America. 5 (2.3.0) at 2 institutions in Canada and 172 (35.137.0) at 43 institutions in the United States.

CANADA

Granby Zoo - Granby, Quebec, Canada
1.0 Tutume (Tembo × Sabah) 1999.04.09
0.1 Sarah (WILD × WILD) 1983.00.00
0.1 Thandi (WILD × WILD) 1991.00.00
Total: 1.2.0 (3)

Parc Safari - Hemmingford, Quebec, Canada
1.0 Jeannot (WILD × WILD) 1983.00.00
0.1 Carole (WILD × WILD) 1983.00.00
Total: 1.1.0 (2)



UNITED STATES

Birmingham Zoo - Birmingham, Alabama, United States
1.0 Bulwagi (Peter × Mama) 1981.03.03
1.0 Ingadze (Mabhulane × Umngani) 2009.03.13
1.0 Lutsandvo (Mabhulane × Ndulamitsi) 2010.02.14
Total: 3.0.0 (3)

Montgomery Zoo - Montgomery, Alabama, United States
0.1 Star (WILD × WILD) 1982.00.00
0.1 Tina (WILD × WILD) 1984.00.00
0.1 Makena (Sdudla × Tina) 2007.11.09
Total: 0.3.0 (3)

Reid Park Zoo - Tucson, Arizona, United States
0.1 Litsemba (WILD × WILD) 1990.00.00
0.1 Lungile (WILD × WILD) 1991.00.00
0.1 Nandi (Mabhulane × Litsemba) 2014.08.20
0.1 Mapenzi (Mabhulane × Litsemba) 2020.04.06
Total: 0.4.0 (4)

San Diego Zoo Safari Park - Escondido, California, United States
1.0 Vus’musi (WILD × Ndulamitsi) 2004.02.23
1.0 Umzula-Zuli (Mabhulane × Ndulamitsi) 2018.08.12
0.1 Ndulamitsi (WILD × WILD) 1990.00.00
0.1 Umngani (WILD × WILD) 1990.00.00
0.1 Swazi (WILD × WILD) 1990.00.00
0.1 Khosi (Mabhulane × Umngani) 2006.09.11
0.1 Phakamile (Mabhulane × Umoya) 2007.09.19
0.1 Qinisa (Mabhulane × Swazi) 2012.08.28
0.1 Mkhaya (Mabhulane × Umngani) 2018.09.26
Total: 2.7.0 (9)

Fresno Chaffee Zoo - Fresno, California, United States
1.0 Mabhulane (WILD × WILD) 1990.00.00
0.1 Nolwazi (WILD × WILD) 1994.00.00
0.1 Amahle (WILD × Nolwazi) 2009.00.00
Total: 1.2.0 (3)

Oakland Zoo - Oakland, California, United States
1.0 Osh (Yossi × Sara) 1994.05.24
0.1 Lisa (WILD × WILD) 1977.00.00
0.1 Donna (WILD × WILD) 1980.00.00
Total: 1.2.0 (3)

Performing Animal Welfare Society - San Andreas, California, United States
0.1 Lulu (WILD × WILD) 1966.00.00
0.1 Toka (WILD × WILD) 1970.00.00
0.1 Thika (Tantor × Tequila) 1980.10.18
0.1 Mara (WILD × WILD) 1980.00.00
Total: 0.4.0 (4)

San Diego Zoo - San Diego, California, United States
1.0 Tsandzikle (Mabhulane × Litsemba) 2010.12.27
1.0 Inhlonipho (Mabhulane × Umngani) 2011.09.26
0.1 Shaba (WILD × WILD) 1980.00.00
Total: 2.1.0 (3)

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo - Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
0.1 Missy (WILD × WILD) 1969.00.00
0.1 Kimba (WILD × WILD) 1977.00.00
0.1 Lucky (WILD × WILD) 1979.00.00
0.1 LouLou (WILD × WILD) 1982.00.00
0.1 Jambo (WILD × WILD) 1983.00.00
0.1 Malaika (WILD × WILD) 1985.00.00
Total: 0.6.0 (6)

Disney's Animal Kingdom - Bay Lake, Florida, United States
1.0 Maclean (WILD × WILD) 1982.00.00
1.0 Tsavo (Jackson × Moyo) 2008.06.28
1.0 Jabali (Ali × Vasha) 2011.08.24
0.1 Donna (WILD × WILD) 1984.00.00
0.1 Vasha (WILD × WILD) 1985.00.00
0.1 Kianga (Jackson × Vasha) 2004.07.06
0.1 Nadirah (Jackson × Donna) 2005.12.19
0.1 Luna (Maclean × Donna) 2010.05.20
0.1 Stella (Maclean × Donna) 2016.12.14
Total: 3.6.0 (9)

Jacksonville Zoo - Jacksonville, Florida, United States
1.0 Ali (WILD × WILD) 1991.00.00
0.1 Thandi (WILD × WILD) 1980.00.00
0.1 Sheena (WILD × WILD) 1983.00.00
Total: 1.2.0 (3)

Miami Zoo - Miami, Florida, United States
0.1 Peggy (WILD × WILD) 1976.00.00
0.1 Mabel (WILD × WILD) 1976.00.00
Total: 0.2.0 (2)

Myakka Elephant Ranch - Myakka City, Florida, United States
0.1 Lou (WILD × WILD) 1985.00.00
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

Tampa Zoo - Tampa, Florida, United States
1.0 Sdudla (WILD × WILD) 1990.00.00
0.1 Ellie (WILD × WILD) 1982.00.00
0.1 Matjeka (WILD × WILD) 1991.00.00
0.1 Mbali (WILD × WILD) 1992.00.00
0.1 Mpumi (Sdudla × Mbali) 2012.12.23
0.1 Mavi (Sdudla × Matjeka) 2013.07.29
Total: 1.5.0 (6)

Atlanta Zoo - Atlanta, Georgia, United States
1.0 Msholo (WILD × WILD) 1989.00.00
0.1 Tara (WILD × WILD) 1982.00.00
0.1 Kelly (WILD × WILD) 1983.00.00
Total: 1.2.0 (3)

Indianapolis Zoo - Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
1.0 Kedar (Bulwagi × Kubwa) 2005.10.18
0.1 Kubwa (WILD × WILD) 1976.00.00
0.1 Tombi (WILD × WILD) 1976.00.00
0.1 Ivory (WILD × WILD) 1982.00.00
0.1 Zahara (Ali × Ivory) 2006.08.31
Total: 1.4.0 (5)

Topeka Zoo - Topeka, Kansas, United States
0.1 Tembo (WILD × WILD) 1971.00.00
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

Sedgwick County Zoo - Wichita, Kansas, United States
1.0 Ajani (Maclean × Ivory) 2000.08.04
1.0 Titan (WILD × Simunye) 2009.00.00
0.1 Stephanie (WILD × WILD) 1971.00.00
0.1 Simunye (WILD × WILD) 1996.00.00
0.1 Zuberi (WILD × WILD) 2008.00.00
0.1 Arusi (WILD × WILD) 2009.00.00
0.1 Xolani (WILD × WILD) 2009.00.00
0.1 Talia (WILD × WILD) 2010.00.00
Total: 2.6.0 (8)

Louisville Zoo - Louisville, Kentucky, United States
1.0 Fitz (Jackson × Mikki) 2019.08.02
0.1 Mikki (WILD × WILD) 1985.00.00
Total: 1.1.0 (2)

Maryland Zoo - Baltimore, Maryland, United States
1.0 Tuffy (WILD × WILD) 1983.00.00
1.0 Samson (Willie × Felix) 2008.03.19
0.1 Anna (WILD × WILD) 1975.00.00
0.1 Felix (WILD × WILD) 1983.00.00
Total: 2.2.0 (4)

Kansas City Zoo - Kansas City, Missouri, United States
1.0 Tamani (Bulwagi × Ellie) 2005.10.17
0.1 Lady (WILD × WILD) 1968.00.00
0.1 Lea (WILD × WILD) 1978.00.00
0.1 Lois (WILD × WILD) 1978.00.00
0.1 Megan (WILD × WILD) 1978.00.00
0.1 Tattoo (WILD × WILD) 1978.00.00
0.1 Zoe (WILD × WILD) 1984.00.00
Total: 1.6.0 (7)

Henry Doorly Zoo - Omaha, Nebraska, United States
1.0 Callee (Jackson × Savannah) 2000.09.22
1.0 Sonny (Callee × Claire) 2022.01.30
0.1 Jayei (WILD × WILD) 1994.00.00
0.1 Kiki (WILD × WILD) 2004.00.00
0.1 Claire (WILD × WILD) 2008.00.00
0.1 Lolly (WILD × WILD) 2010.00.00
0.1 Omma (WILD × Jayei) 2011.00.00
0.1 Eugenia (Callee × Kiki) 2022.01.07
Total: 2.6.0 (8)

Six Flags Great Adventure - Jackson, New Jersey, United States
0.1 Tanya (WILD × WILD) 1969.00.00
0.1 Barbara (WILD × WILD) 1971.00.00
0.1 Lucy (WILD × WILD) 1971.00.00
0.1 Megu (WILD × WILD) 1982.00.00
0.1 Joyce (WILD × WILD) 1983.00.00
Total: 0.5.0 (5)

Seneca Park Zoo - Rochester, New York, United States
0.1 Genny C (WILD × WILD) 1977.00.00
0.1 Lilac (WILD × WILD) 1978.00.00
0.1 Mokala (WILD × WILD) 1982.00.00
Total: 0.3.0 (3)

North Carolina Zoo - Asheboro, North Carolina, United States
1.0 C'sar (WILD × WILD) 1974.00.00
1.0 Artie (WILD × WILD) 1983.00.00
1.0 Louie (Bulwagi × Renee) 2003.04.30
0.1 Tonga (WILD × WILD) 1978.00.00
0.1 Rafiki (WILD × WILD) 1981.00.00
0.1 Nekhanda (WILD × WILD) 1988.00.00
0.1 Batir (Willie × Tonga) 2002.01.21
Total: 3.4.0 (7)

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo - Cleveland, Ohio, United States
1.0 Willy (WILD × WILD) 1978.00.00
0.1 Moshi (WILD × WILD) 1976.00.00
0.1 Martika (WILD × WILD) 1981.00.00
0.1 Kallie (WILD × WILD) 1982.00.00
0.1 Shenga (WILD × WILD) 1982.00.00
Total: 1.4.0 (5)

Toledo Zoo - Toledo, Ohio, United States
0.1 Renee (WILD × WILD) 1979.00.00
0.1 Twiggy (WILD × WILD) 1985.00.00
Total: 0.2.0 (2)

Serengeti Ranch - White City, Oregon, United States
0.1 Susie (WILD × WILD) 1986.00.00
0.1 Baba (WILD × WILD) 1991.00.00
Total: 0.2.0 (2)

Wildlife Safari - Winston, Oregon, United States
1.0 Butch (WILD × WILD) 1981.00.00
0.1 Tava (WILD × WILD) 1978.00.00
0.1 Moja (Chico × Wankie) 1982.05.24
0.1 Valerie (WILD × WILD) 1982.00.00
Total: 1.3.0 (4)

International Conservation Center - Fairhope, Pennsylvania, United States
1.0 Jackson (WILD × WILD) 1976.00.00
0.1 Bette (WILD × WILD) 1982.00.00
0.1 Seeni (WILD × WILD) 1993.00.00
0.1 Sukiri (WILD × WILD) 1993.00.00
0.1 Tsuni (Jackson × Sukiri) 2021.07.18
Total: 1.4.0 (5)

Pittsburgh Zoo - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
0.1 Tasha (WILD × WILD) 1976.00.00
0.1 Savannah (WILD × WILD) 1983.00.00
0.1 Victoria (Jackson × Moja) 1999.09.12
0.1 Angelina (Jackson × Savannah) 2008.07.09
0.1 Zuri (Jackson × Moja) 2008.07.25
Total: 0.5.0 (5)

Roger Williams Park Zoo - Providence, Rhode Island, United States
0.1 Alice (WILD × WILD) 1985.00.00
0.1 Ginny (WILD × WILD) 1985.00.00
0.1 Kate (WILD × WILD) 1985.00.00
Total: 0.3.0 (3)

Myrtle Beach Safari - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States
0.1 Bubbles (WILD × WILD) 1983.00.00
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

The Elephant Sanctuary - Hohenwald, Tennessee, United States
0.1 Tange (WILD × WILD) 1973.00.00
0.1 Flora (WILD × WILD) 1982.00.00
0.1 Nosey (WILD × WILD) 1982.00.00
0.1 Sukari (WILD × WILD) 1984.00.00
Total: 0.4.0 (4)

Knoxville Zoo - Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
1.0 Tonka (WILD × WILD) 1979.00.00
0.1 Jana (WILD × WILD) 1980.00.00
0.1 Edie (WILD × WILD) 1983.00.00
Total: 1.2.0 (3)

Memphis Zoo - Memphis, Tennessee, United States
0.1 Bambi (WILD × WILD) 1975.00.00
0.1 Daisy (WILD × WILD) 1975.00.00
0.1 Kosti (WILD × WILD) 1982.00.00
0.1 Gina (WILD × WILD) 1983.00.00
0.1 Asali (Macho × Juju) 1985.08.29
Total: 0.5.0 (5)

East Texas Elephant Experience - Cut and Shoot, Texas, United States
0.1 Krissy (WILD × WILD) 1984.00.00
0.1 Paige (WILD × WILD) 1984.00.00
0.1 Jeanie (WILD × WILD) 1985.00.00
Total: 0.3.0 (3)

Dallas Zoo - Dallas, Texas, United States
1.0 Tendaji (WILD × WILD) 2004.00.00
1.0 Ajabu (WILD × Mlilo) 2016.05.14
0.1 Jenny (WILD × WILD) 1976.00.00
0.1 Congo (WILD × WILD) 1978.00.00
0.1 Kamba (WILD × WILD) 1980.00.00
0.1 Gypsy (WILD × WILD) 1982.00.00
0.1 Mlilo (WILD × WILD) 2004.00.00
0.1 Zola (WILD × WILD) 2004.00.00
Total: 2.6.0 (8)

Caldwell Zoo - Tyler, Texas, United States
1.0 Macembe (Mabhulane × Swazi) 2010.04.12
1.0 Emanti (Mabhulane × Umoya) 2010.05.12
0.1 Tonya (WILD × WILD) 1977.00.00
Total: 2.1.0 (3)

Cameron Park Zoo - Waco, Texas, United States
0.1 Tembo (WILD × WILD) 1977.00.00
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

Hogle Zoo - Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
0.1 Christie (WILD × WILD) 1986.00.00
0.1 Zuri (Jackson × Christie) 2009.08.10
Total: 0.2.0 (2)

Natural Bridge Zoo - Natural Bridge, Virginia, United States
0.1 Asha (WILD × WILD) 1982.00.00
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

Milwaukee County Zoo - Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
0.1 Ruth (Rip × Tanya) 1981.11.02
0.1 Belle (WILD × WILD) 1981.00.00
0.1 Brittany (WILD × WILD) 1981.00.00
Total: 0.3.0 (3)
 
Yazziel said:
Male African Elephant Artie has been transferred to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee

The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee Welcomes Artie, African male elephant, from North Carolina Zoo - Press Releases
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wow, that’s unexpected. We knew about the Knoxville zoo’s bull but not this.

but it is a wise move. This would open up a room for a younger, viable breeding bull if the youngest cow is still viable. I am not sure about Louie. The rumor is that he is a non breeder?
 
John Marchwick said:
Elephants in US zoos? Without breeding, future is uncertain

This is a really important article I recommend reading as it talks about the future of elephants in the United States being uncertain due to lack of breeding happening across zoos in the U.S.
Click to expand...
There is...absolutely nothing new or important to be garnered from that article. It's the same standard ARA crap "ooo elephants shouldn't be housed in captivity" coupled with "ooo elephants have a hard time breeding in zoos and their population is dwindling, both in zoos in the wild".

All these things have been hashed and re-hashed on the forums dozens upon dozens of times. ARA will always ARA, regardless of how ridiculous their claims are.

Elephants do NOT have issues with breeding in captivity. Quite the opposite actually, they breed incredibly well under human care when their social needs are appropriately catered to. Literally the *only* cause for such a prominent demographic decline is mismanagement by the facilities holding the elephants. Maintaining bulls in social isolation, allowing animals to grow fat and out of condition, waiting to long to breed virgin cows or re-breed proven cows, housing cows in multi-matriarchal groups where social tensions arise, and refusing to transfer animals or build facilities to properly house a bull (or some combination of both). These are all management issues, and have nothing to do with elephants simply being held under human care. Cows can start breeding between age 6 and 8, and can easily breed into their late 40's to early 50's as long as they're in good condition, theoretically producing a calf every 3 years during that time. Elephant cows are literally *designed* to be almost constantly pregnant.

Also yes, elephant populations are continuing to decline in the wild, but zoo's holding or not holding them will make no difference to that. In Africa, although poaching for Ivory is absolutely an issue, they're simply running out of wild space for elephants to roam. Virtually all the wild areas remaining that hold elephants are either at, or over exceeding their elephant carrying capacity unless they're being aggressively poached. In Asia, Human elephant conflict and, once again, habitat reduction are the main issues facing them. These are issues that, unfortunately, likely won't ever resolve. As the human population continues to expand, the space for our beloved elephants and other wildlife will only continue to shrink. No amount of pandering from animal rights activists, or donations from zoo's, or support from conservation orgs, can halt human expansion on a large scale, unfortunately.
 
IndianRhino said:
There are no other confirmed pregnancies at the moment.
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that’s actually not correct. Renee is currently pregnant at the Toledo Zoo and is due in 2024, Nadirah at Disneys Animal Kingdom is pregnant with her first calf, Jayei is pregnant and due this late summer or early fall with a calf, and than there’s 4 other African Elephants total aside from Jayei that are due this year with calves according to Omaha and Omaha between 2022-2023 will make up half the births of elephants born in the United States. There ARE however no confirmed Asian Elephant Pregnancies in the United States that we know of anyway.
 
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John Marchwick said:
that’s actually not correct. Renee is currently pregnant at the Toledo Zoo and is due in 2024, Nadirah at Disneys Animal Kingdom is pregnant with her first calf, Jayei is pregnant and due this late summer or early fall with a calf, and than there’s 4 other African Elephants total aside from Jayei that are due this year with calves according to Omaha and Omaha between 2022-2023 will make up half the births of elephants born in the United States. There ARE however no confirmed Asian Elephant Pregnancies in the United States that we know of anyway.
Click to expand...
I apologize, I thought @Blackleopard207 was asking of pregnancies due this year :oops: Either way, I digress.
 
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Blackleopard207 said:
When is Nadirah due? And 4 African elephants due this year other than Jayei?! That’s a lot!
Click to expand...

So @Yazziel initially confirmed Nadirahs pregnancy as it was announced in some Disney special and my guess is 2024. As for the other 4 we don’t know who they are but we know 4 are due cause former Omaha zoo director Dennis Pate confirmed it at a press conference. However it’s been known for a while now since last summer anyway 2023 is going to be a big year for African Elephant births.
 
Thanks for the info! This is definitely going to be a great year for African elephant births! With 6 elephants born last year, and 2 born this year with 5 on the way, that’s amazing. 12 elephants in 2 years triples the average amount of elephant births for a two year span! For a combination of both African and Asian anyway.
 
Blackleopard207 said:
Thanks for the info! This is definitely going to be a great year for African elephant births! With 6 elephants born last year, and 2 born this year with 5 on the way, that’s amazing. 12 elephants in 2 years triples the average amount of elephant births for a two year span!
Click to expand...

there were only 2 African Elephants births born in the United States in 2022 and only 1 African Elephant birth so far in 2023 in the United States and all the births have occurred at Omaha so far. Between 2022-2024 at least 10 African Elephant births have or will occur in the U.S.
 
John Marchwick said:
So @Yazziel initially confirmed Nadirahs pregnancy as it was announced in some Disney special and my guess is 2024. As for the other 4 we don’t know who they are but we know 4 are due cause former Omaha zoo director Dennis Pate confirmed it at a press conference. However it’s been known for a while now since last summer anyway 2023 is going to be a big year for African Elephant births.
Click to expand...

I’m still convinced Nadirah is one of the pregnant females to give birth this year since at the start of the episode its mentioned that she is 16 and she turned 18 back in December, so she should be close to that due date.
 
Yazziel said:
I’m still convinced Nadirah is one of the pregnant females to give birth this year since at the start of the episode its mentioned that she is 16 and she turned 18 back in December, so she should be close to that due date.
Click to expand...

Nadirah though is only 17. She just turned 17 last December and not 18 cause she was born in 2005

0.1 Nadirah (Jackson × Donna) 2005.12.19
 
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