North American African Elephant Population
- Thread starter Elephant Enthusiast
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Sadly, there are so many zoos with viable breeding aged elephants that are failing at breeding in the US (this is the case with both species, but especially Africans).
Like you pointed out, there are several zoos with viable cows that don't have a breeding bull. SDZSP, Pittsburgh, Hogle, and Montgomery all have young cows that need to breed ASAP but they just can't. I know atleast Pitsburgh and Hogle are trying A.I. with their cows but so far there has been no sucess unfortunately.
There are other cows such as Zola and Mlilo in Dallas, the five in Sedgwick, Batir in NC, and Mbali and Matjeka in Tampa who are stuck with bulls who don't seem to be doing their jobs. However, there's a good chance Tendaji at Dallas and Ajani at Sedgwick will become proven breeders in the coming years. Louie at NC is likely not going to sire any offspring naturally there, he's a behavioural non-breeder. They should've left him at Omaha to learn from the now proven bull Callee for atleast a couple more years, they are just wasting even more time to breed their youngest cow Batir (who at 19 needs to be bred ASAP!) Sdudla at Tampa was a proven breeder and sired 3 surviving female calves, unfortunately he apparently doesn't show interest in breeding the cows anymore.
Then there is Indianapolis, who was sucessful in breeding via AI but hasn't had a calf in several years. I'm unsure about Kedar and Zahara, I really hope Kedar is sucessful in breeding Zahara and doesn't turn out like his dad and brother. Also, is Indianapolis still atempting to breed Ivory and Kubwa via AI?
There are also bulls like Tamani at Kansas City, Tonka at Knoxville, and Ali at Jacksonville that are genetically valuable bulls that really should be incorporated into the breeding program. Atleast, Ali sired a couple calves via AI but his last calf was born several years ago and idk if they are still collecting semen from him for AI.
Also, what's going on with the breeding at DAK. They have Maclean, who is a proven breeding bull and 4 cows that he could breed with. Yet, they haven't had a calf born there since 2016. It's honestly disappointing that even though they have a nice breeding setup, they can't produce calves. Though, I remember that there was some "romance" between Kianga and Maclean in their TV show so hopefully Kianga and some of the other girls are pregnant as well.
Overall, I'm sure many people will agree with me when I say that the African Elephant SSP is a pretty big mess. Hopefully, zoos are starting to realize this and will step up their game in the near future. Btw, are there any pregnancies out there besides Claire at Omaha?
Lol, sorry for the extremely long post
I remember maybe a decade ago thinking the Asian SSP was the mess. And now its the opposite in my mind. How times have changed 
And to think the Asian SSP hasn’t imported elephants (bar a select few) for decades. While the African SSP has continually brought in new blood. And then wasted it and I imagine in a few years we will hear chatter about the need for further imports, when its clear deeper issues exist
And to think the Asian SSP hasn’t imported elephants (bar a select few) for decades. While the African SSP has continually brought in new blood. And then wasted it and I imagine in a few years we will hear chatter about the need for further imports, when its clear deeper issues exist
Mr.Ivory
Well-Known Member
I was reviewing the SSP for African elephants in north America and like so many people on this platform the African elephant species survival program is one the worst breeding programs in the US so here are my recommendations for bull's to either breed naturally or through artificial insemination
Jackson last calf born in 2019 could become a father again through artificial insemination (Perform AI on or a natural breeding attempt with Zahara, Ivory, Moja, Savanah)
Mabu last calf born in 2020 could become a father again through natural breeding with Litsemba or by transferring him to Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo while sending Sdudla to San Diego and Arizona to breed with his six daughters
Calle son of Jackson born in the year 2000 expecting first calf in 2022
Maclean last calf born in 2016 could become a father again through natural breeding with Donna or by artificial insemination (Perform AI or a natural mating attempt on Victora, Zuri, Angelina, and Felix )
Ali last calf born in 2011 could become a father again through artificial insemination (Perform AI on Vasha, Kianga, and Nidirah)
Sdudla last calf born in 2013 could become a father again through natural breeding with Mabu's daughters or through artificial insemination (Perform AI on Luna, Christe and her daughter Zuri and a natural breeding attempt with Khosi, Phakamile, Qinsia, Nandi, Mkhaya, and Mapenzi once the last four females come of age. )
Bulwagi last calf born in 2005 but could become a father again through artificial insemination (Perform AI on Tonji, Zola, and Milio. Although Zola and Milio could become pregnant through Tendaji through natural breeding)
Bull's that have yet to prove themselves
Ajani has shown breeding behavior but is trying to mate with Stephanie a post reproductive cow but could breed with the herds younger females
Vusmusi unsure if he has shown breeding behavior but could become a father through natural breeding with Nolwazi and Amahle
Louie is a behavioral non breeder
Tutume unsure if he has shown breeding behavior could become a father through artificial insemination (Perform AI or a natural breeding attempt on Thandi, Seeni, and Sukiri)
Tamani is not in a breeding situation could become a father through articifal insemination (Perform AI or a natural breeding attempt with Stella, Mavi, and Mpumi, once they come of age)
Tendaji unsure if he has shown breeding behavior but he could become a father through natural breeding with Zola and Milio
Tonka not in a breeding situation but has shown breeding behavior but a mating attempt with Jana was unsuccessful as he knocked her down in a mounting attempt. Could become a father through artificial insemination (Perform AI on Batir, Renee, and if possible Rafiki along with Kubwa) but could also become a father through natural breeding with Swazi, Umngani, Ndula, Litsemba, and a small possibility of Lungile becoming pregnant though this is unlikely
Jackson last calf born in 2019 could become a father again through artificial insemination (Perform AI on or a natural breeding attempt with Zahara, Ivory, Moja, Savanah)
Mabu last calf born in 2020 could become a father again through natural breeding with Litsemba or by transferring him to Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo while sending Sdudla to San Diego and Arizona to breed with his six daughters
Calle son of Jackson born in the year 2000 expecting first calf in 2022
Maclean last calf born in 2016 could become a father again through natural breeding with Donna or by artificial insemination (Perform AI or a natural mating attempt on Victora, Zuri, Angelina, and Felix )
Ali last calf born in 2011 could become a father again through artificial insemination (Perform AI on Vasha, Kianga, and Nidirah)
Sdudla last calf born in 2013 could become a father again through natural breeding with Mabu's daughters or through artificial insemination (Perform AI on Luna, Christe and her daughter Zuri and a natural breeding attempt with Khosi, Phakamile, Qinsia, Nandi, Mkhaya, and Mapenzi once the last four females come of age. )
Bulwagi last calf born in 2005 but could become a father again through artificial insemination (Perform AI on Tonji, Zola, and Milio. Although Zola and Milio could become pregnant through Tendaji through natural breeding)
Bull's that have yet to prove themselves
Ajani has shown breeding behavior but is trying to mate with Stephanie a post reproductive cow but could breed with the herds younger females
Vusmusi unsure if he has shown breeding behavior but could become a father through natural breeding with Nolwazi and Amahle
Louie is a behavioral non breeder
Tutume unsure if he has shown breeding behavior could become a father through artificial insemination (Perform AI or a natural breeding attempt on Thandi, Seeni, and Sukiri)
Tamani is not in a breeding situation could become a father through articifal insemination (Perform AI or a natural breeding attempt with Stella, Mavi, and Mpumi, once they come of age)
Tendaji unsure if he has shown breeding behavior but he could become a father through natural breeding with Zola and Milio
Tonka not in a breeding situation but has shown breeding behavior but a mating attempt with Jana was unsuccessful as he knocked her down in a mounting attempt. Could become a father through artificial insemination (Perform AI on Batir, Renee, and if possible Rafiki along with Kubwa) but could also become a father through natural breeding with Swazi, Umngani, Ndula, Litsemba, and a small possibility of Lungile becoming pregnant though this is unlikely
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I would think it’s time to retire Jackson. He has many offspring in different zoos.
Mr.Ivory
Well-Known Member
Junot is not in a breeding situation but also unsure if he has shown breeding behavior if he can breed naturally (If he is still futile, to breed naturally or artificial insemination with Miki, Star (Timba), and Tina). Junot would Fall into the category of bulls who have yet to prove themselves
Junnot is very fertile. He's been collected for AI, and samples have been very good from him. Large amounts and high quality, from what I've heard. There just hasn't been any luck with the females his samples have been used on, unfortunately.
Mr.Ivory
Well-Known Member
Two more females Junot can have calves with are Tonga, and Asali, with a small possibility of Gina becoming pregnant
Mr.Ivory
Well-Known Member
So far one of the herds 4 female's are breeding and none of the bull's are breeding but the only two proven cows Tonga, and Rafiki have not had calves in 10+ years, their is no hope for Nekhanda, and almost no hope for Batir.
How can they best turn around the African SSP like they did with the Asian SSP?. Do the zoos holding not have yearly meetings?.I remember maybe a decade ago thinking the Asian SSP was the mess. And now its the opposite in my mind. How times have changed
And to think the Asian SSP hasn’t imported elephants (bar a select few) for decades. While the African SSP has continually brought in new blood. And then wasted it and I imagine in a few years we will hear chatter about the need for further imports, when its clear deeper issues exist
Well, Batir is only 19, she's still got a few years left to become pregnant. Louie wasn't successful in Omaha but he may be in North Carolina. Louie had never had any experience with another adult bull before Callee arrived in Omaha. Callee however was successful in reproducing, so I believe that the keepers hoped that Louie had learned a bit from him. I don't think that the SSP would send Louie to NC if they didn't think he had a good chance at reproducing.
Tonga's time to have another calf has come and gone. She hasn't had a calf in 19 years and she's around 43 years old. Rafiki definitely will not have another calf given that her calf was born 18 years ago and was stillborn. It would likely be dangerous for either Tonga or Rafiki to birth to a calf.
There are several ways to make the population more sucessful in breeding and this goes for both the Asian and African SSP. First off, they need to get cows breeding ASAP, they should be having their first calves at around 10-14 years. To do this, they need to have bulls being transfered from zoo to zoo every couple years so that all of the few proven breeding bulls are being utitlized and so that their daughters can have calves ASAP. Also, it is very important that zoos send their young bulls to different zoos when they are around 7-10 years old so that they can form bachelor herds with other males their age. Otherwise, the males will end up being behavioural non-breeders like Louie, Msholo, Bulwagi, and so much more. And lastly, zoos should not be relying entirely on AI to breed their cows because we have seen that AI does not have a very high sucess rate and zoos often end up wasting several years trying to breed a cow via AI.
So why bring a potential "breeder" to come in and/or others at a facility not likely ever to produce a successful conception and possible calf?
Why not bring all potential breeding animals into realistic fair chance breeding situations? Needs to start urgently .....
@Kifaru Bwana welcome to U.S. breeding elephants. It's a cluster****
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