North American African Elephant Population 2024

CMZman said:
Toledo Zoo - Renee has given birth. The calf's gender is still unknown.
Source: Facebook.
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Renee's calf is a boy! There is a naming contest out for the little one, options are Leap, Link, Loki, Leif and Leo! The winning name will be announced on March 15th, with the calf's public debut following the day after.
The Toledo Zoo on Instagram: "Have you herd the news?! African elephant, Renee, welcomed a baby boy to the Tembo Trail exhibit on Feb. 17.

Baby Elephant Naming Vote – Toledo Zoo
 
Mm, rather dually disappointing news. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very happy Renee had a successful birth, but the fact that she had a bull calf is, while not necessarily surprising, still moderately disappointing. A cow would’ve been better both for the US population overall, and specifically for Renee and Toledo even more so.

Also all the naming options, subjectively, suck. None of them exactly strike me as suitable names for what will hopefully eventually become an impressive bull elephant. That’s ultimately small beans in the grand scheme of things though.
 
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Hyak_II said:
Mm, rather dually disappointing news. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very happy Renee had a successful birth, but the fact that she had a bull calf is, while not necessarily surprising, still moderately disappointing. A cow would’ve been better both for the US population overall, and specifically for Renee and Toledo even more so.

Also all the naming options, subjectively, suck. None of them exactly strike me as suitable names for white will hopefully eventually become an impressive bull elephant. That’s ultimately small beans in the grand scheme of things though.
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A female calf was absoloutly what Toledo needed, I'm happy the calf and Renee are healthy, but its definitely a bit of a let down. Thankfully though, this calf is very genetically valuable with two wildborn parents, so more likely than not he will be utilized for breeding down the line. My main worry is that he'll end up a behavioral nonbreeder like Louie though, but perhaps with Ajani there as a mentor that might not be the case? Though Ajani is (thus far) a behavioral nonbreeder himself so Im not super confident.

As for the names, Loki and Leo aren't half bad, but I cannot for the life of me fathom the others lol. "LEAP"?
 
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Frankie_number_1_fan said:
My main worry is that he'll end up a behavioral nonbreeder like Louie though, but perhaps with Ajani there as a mentor that might not be the case? Though Ajani is (thus far) a behavioral nonbreeder himself so Im not super confident.
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Is Ajani even grouped with the girls?

This young bull would theoretically need to spend time with Ajani and his mother to witness natural breeding behaviors.

I also agree re. him being a future breeding bull. In reality, that's probably a positive in the genetic side of things as he has a better chance to represent both his wild born parents compared to a female calf.
 
Hyak_II said:
Also all the naming options, subjectively, suck. None of them exactly strike me as suitable names for what will hopefully eventually become an impressive bull elephant. That’s ultimately small beans in the grand scheme of things though.
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This is definitely subjective. I would definitely not say they aren't suitable for an impressive bull. The name "Leif" immediately reminds me of Leif Erikson. "Leo" reminds me of a character on The West Wing, a great American political drama, that was the chief of staff to the show's president (as a side note, I remember thinking he lumbered along like an elephant when I was watching the show). Wisdom is often attributed with elephants; Leif Erikson and certainly the character Leo McGarry could be called wise. I'm not saying that is the reasoning behind the names, but am just trying to explain how the names might be befitting of a male elephant in the eyes of other people.
 
Jambo said:
Is Ajani even grouped with the girls?

This young bull would theoretically need to spend time with Ajani and his mother to witness natural breeding behaviors.

I also agree re. him being a future breeding bull. In reality, that's probably a positive in the genetic side of things as he has a better chance to represent both his wild born parents compared to a female calf.
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Toledo has stated that the plan is for Ajani to be introduced to the girls and Renee's calf at some point!
 
Frankie_number_1_fan said:
The calf has been named "Hondo"! The name means "Warrior" or "Fighter"

Omaha's Zoo & Aquarium on Instagram: "Omma has a little warrior at the tip of her trunk! Meet Hondo, the name of our newest African elephant calf. Pronounced “hon-doh,” the name as chosen by a Zoo donor and their family and in African countries, means “warrior” or “fighter.” Hondo, who is two weeks old today, now tips the scale at 248 pounds. He and the herd continue to serve as a reminder of continued growth and the Zoo’s overall commitment to this endangered species since its return to Omaha in 2016. “With this calf, our herd is entering a new chapter,” said Ryan Sears, curator of large mammals, when Hondo’s birth was announced. “Growing our herd by five in just two years is a significant achievement. Not only for us, but for the population of African elephants within zoos everywhere. Our Zoo is helping to ensure a diverse population of elephants for years to come.” Stop by during Spring Break to see Hondo and the herd and please, don’t forget to vote for your #1 Zoo: https://www.omahazoo.com/10best ~ Ends tomorrow, March 4, at 10:59 a.m. ~ LINK IN BIO"
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Very cool name, I love it!
 
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