Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
Fingers crossed this indicates upcoming transfers of new bulls for both facilities!
North American African Elephant Population 2025
- Thread starter E Maximus
- Start date
Can Pittsburgh even hold a bull long-term? Also with the expanded giraffe exhibit next door, what does the future even look like for elephants at Pittsburgh?
It would make sense - Zuri especially needs to breed asap, and obviously the ICC have the space to accommodate a breeding herd.
I'd say there's a good chance a bull has been selected for the ICC at least. Pittsburgh could also acquire a bull though Angelina's familial line is now quite well represented thanks to her older brother, Callee, so it's also possible they intend to just hold a non breeding herd there.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
They imported a bull back in 2011 with intent to breed, but he passed away in 2017. Iirc the exhibit design and barn layout hasn't changed since then, so they should at least have capacity to hold one until a pregnancy can be secured for Angelina.
I would sincerely hope they wouldn't sacrifice a matriline just because Callee is well represented. There is very little guarantee that his offspring will survive to breeding age themselves at this point in the game. Not to mention that Savannah is wildborn, her genes should be utilized as much as possible.
Mr.Ivory
Well-Known Member
A move that was long overdue, but considering that the ICC was a participant in the Forzen Jumbo project, its quite possible that Zuri could be AI'd with sperm from a wild bull.
I mean maybe they could make a breeding herd and adult bull work in a .75 acre exhibit, but if so its gonna be a tight fit and a short-term solution. They only have one yard on-display and the off display yard is like 2,000 sq feet so that wouldn’t really work. Also since that import 15 years ago elephant standards have changed, dozens of zoos have phased out elephants, and Pittsburgh’s faced much upheaval in there program. The lack of attention to elephants in the upcoming master plan was telling in my view and unless Pittsburgh wants to be the smallest breeding facility in the nation they will have to make some decisions, and expanding the giraffe exhibit next door will not make keeping elephants easier.
Other option could potentially be phasing out nyala/ostrich and expanding the elephant program there, or switching to a Caldwell/San Diego setup bachelorwise when it comes to housing younger bulls. I think the two onshow stalls and the larger side dayroom would be totally suitable for that kind of setup, but that's just me. That being said, Pittsburgh and the ICC's situation is reminiscent of Melbourne's elephants moving to Werribee proximitywise, and if people are willing to drive all the way to Somerset County to see elephants, I'm totally fine with them making the switch to black rhinos in the long run. For what we know now, Natasha, Savannah and Angelina are staying at the zoo for the forseeable future.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
Nothing says that it would have to be a permanent situation. Realistically a bull could move in, get the job done, move on out within a few years and the girls out along with him. Pittsburgh is doubtlessly in the process of making a lot of decisions for their program right now, but I would be shocked if not breeding a genetically valuable young cow would be one of them.
Realistically, Pittsburgh has three viable females across their two facilities. Sukiri, Zuri and Angelina, and I'm inclined to raise my eyebrows at Sukiri. Arguably, Angelina and Zuri are their hopes for a breeding program going forward.
Moving some animals to ICC opens up some room for breeding at the main zoo while decisions are made, transfers are planned, etc. It may very well be the longterm hope to move all their elephants to ICC or move Angelina's line to another zoo, but Pittsburgh Zoo wants to retain elephants there until they have a replacement species planned. Standards have changed, but temporary solutions are an absolute possibility in this scenario when there are two virgin cows that desperately need calves on the ground to stay viable. I wouldn't discount the possibility too much at the moment, but who's to say what they have planned.
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On a side note, there's a trend with EAZA zoos reuniting matrilines (Pori being reunited with her daughter Tana and granddaughters Tamika and Elani at Zoo Halle and Panang being reunited with her mother Ceyla-Himali and younger sister Farha at Zoo Zürich).
With that in mind, I'd honestly advocate for Moja at Wildlife Safari to be moved to the ICC to reunite with Victoria and Zuri, as far as a grander multi-pronged approach to improving these animals' greater welfare; a matriline would be reunited, and there would be an even greater baseline to build up a larger herd with Moja potentially taking on a matriarchal position. Cross-country elephant moves have successfully been undertaken before (Nekhanda at North Carolina being the most pertinent example I can think of, coming all the way from Edmonton Valley Zoo), and at the moment I don't see why this shouldn't be the case.
With that in mind, I'd honestly advocate for Moja at Wildlife Safari to be moved to the ICC to reunite with Victoria and Zuri, as far as a grander multi-pronged approach to improving these animals' greater welfare; a matriline would be reunited, and there would be an even greater baseline to build up a larger herd with Moja potentially taking on a matriarchal position. Cross-country elephant moves have successfully been undertaken before (Nekhanda at North Carolina being the most pertinent example I can think of, coming all the way from Edmonton Valley Zoo), and at the moment I don't see why this shouldn't be the case.
I read the release, and where does it say about breeding? The Pittsburg Zoo girls are at the far end of the spectrum for first calves. It may be too late for Victoria. ICC haven't had any luck with calves ever since it was formed. ICC may have room for a second bull (or use AI) for at least Zuri.
But it says nowhere about breeding.
But it says nowhere about breeding.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
There is no released mention of breeding, but it would be foolish to not do so, hence the hope that a bull will be brought to at least one facility.
Zuri and Angelina, at 17 years old, are very much still capable of having calves. Which is why it is imperative they are bred asap if Pittsburgh is actually interested in continuing their program. It is too late for their other cows minus maybe Sukiri.
However, this is all beginning to get a bit speculative now. We should probably move any further discussion to the speculation thread.
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Sukiri absolutely could breed again. In fact, I'd say there might be a good chance she could be pregnant again right now, being four years since the birth of her previous calf.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
Sedgwick will be breaking ground in a few weeks for expansions to their elephant barn. It double the barn size from 19,000 square feet to 38,000 square feet, raising their capacity to 12-15 elephants.
On another good note, the herd has been fully reintegrated for about a month now.
Sedgwick County Zoo to expand elephant barn after historic year of births
On another good note, the herd has been fully reintegrated for about a month now.
Sedgwick County Zoo to expand elephant barn after historic year of births
Very, very commendable and impressive. I can't think of too many facilities who would be willing to close up viewing AT ALL of quite possibly one of the most popular baby animals out there (x4 mind you) - all in the name of improving long term holding capacity/animal welfare/keeper ease. Big thumbs up to SCZ.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
Agreed! I think it is also immensely impressive that they are undertaking the expansion project so soon! I know many of us predicted that there would have to be a semi-lengthy interval between calves due to the current capacity constraints, but with such a quick expansion this no longer will be an issue. It speaks volumes to their commitment with how prioritized elephants are to the zoo, kudos all around!
That's wonderful news for the North American population how many are they holding currently?
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
They currently have 3.8 individuals! I believe they have the largest African herd in the country.
1.0 Callee
1.0 Bomani
1.0 Kijani
0.1 Stephanie
0.1 Simunye
0.1 Zuberi
0.1 Arusi
0.1 Xolani
0.1 Talia
0.1 Asali
0.1 Dakari
Thank you, I had thought that the San Diego Safari park had the largest group
Mr.Ivory
Well-Known Member
They used to at one point they had 17 African Elephants, though the largest captive herd in North America nowadays is found at the Africam Safari park, in Puebla, Mexico, which was the same number of elephants as San Diego at its height.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
Yes, San Diego is down to 8 now I believe (1.7). Though if there are cows currently pregnant that number could easily go up a decent amount in the next few months, which could allow them to reclaim the title from Sedgwick!
It will be likely years before any US facility beats out Africam on the regional scale though!