Pittsburgh Zoo announces name of elephant calf
The African Elephant calf born at the Pittsburgh Zoo last year has been named!
The African Elephant calf born at the Pittsburgh Zoo last year has been named!
North American African Elephant Population
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Very exciting news! I was definitely expecting a few of the other cows were pregnant but I’m very happy to see it being confirmed. I’m assuming it’s only a matter of time till the other two cows, Jayei and her daughter Omma, fall pregnant as well.
It’s amazing to see this herd start to grow so rapidly all of a sudden. Kudos to Callee and zoo staff!
Elephantelephant
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That's incredibly! Recently, the breeding of African elephants in North America has almost stopped and now this! Let's hope it goes on and the other zoos take an example from Omaha.
Wow! Really nice to see that Omaha is putting their elephant program and herd to great use. Seems like Callee knows how to get the job done and good luck to keepers and Lolly.
It’s great to see the African elephants breeding so well. Great job Omaha!
Having three calves so close together will be quite a sight and provide plenty of opportunities for the calves to interact with same age herd mates.
Well, breeding is still an issue with African Elephants in the North American Population but I agree this is exciting! And what’s even better is Lolly is a first time mother which is so exciting!
I personally wish Louie was still at the Omaha Zoo. If he learned by observation with Callee I’d bet he’d learn how to breed finally. But regardless I’m happy to see the African Elephant population already have a confirmed pregnancy for 2022.
Excellent news about Lolly. Now if the other other elephant programs would fall in line.
did anyone watch the program on animal planet about Tampa zoo? Apparently there were some mating but unsuccessful. They did not always keep the bull with the cows. A bull will mate with a receptive cow regardless if he’s in musth or not.
did anyone watch the program on animal planet about Tampa zoo? Apparently there were some mating but unsuccessful. They did not always keep the bull with the cows. A bull will mate with a receptive cow regardless if he’s in musth or not.
It’s common practice to keep the bull seperate from the cow herd. The cows cycles can be tracked via hormone monitoring. When trying to breed from their African elephant herd, Taronga Western Plains Zoo would walk the cows along the raceway past the bull yard and observe the interactions that took place. When the cow was receptive, both she and the bull would give clear indications of their desire to interact.
Indianapolis, Tampa, Pittsburg and DAK have all had up and down success breeding this species.
San Diego Safari Park really carried the region for quite a long time, up until they lost their bull which has meant they haven't been able to breed for a few years now. I'm really glad Ohama has managed to get 3 of their 5 cows thus far pregnant!
All these zoos could still breed their african elephants if they wanted and were committed to make the changes necessary to make this happen. But apparently they have all lost interest and are happy to waste the potential of the many females still in breeding age they own. It is so terribly frustrating. Good that Omaha is having sucess now, but it is soooo disapointing that no one else is doing what needs to be done and that those pregnancies are the only ones in the whole continent!
I really think it’s only a matter of time before Jayei and Omma get pregnant at the Omaha Zoo. For all we know they could both be pregnant now and we just don’t know it. I wish the San Diego Zoo Safari Park would get a new bull as they’re wasting their cows potentials to breed.
Mr.Ivory
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It only seems that Omaha is aware of the African Elephant population mismanagement
“With the elephant population decreasing, Eugenia and Sonny represent a new generation of possibilities for an African elephant population in desperate need of growth," said Dennis Pate, our president and CEO. “They are critical pieces in a much larger plan for population sustainability and species conservation, as is the work of accredited zoos like Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.”
“With the elephant population decreasing, Eugenia and Sonny represent a new generation of possibilities for an African elephant population in desperate need of growth," said Dennis Pate, our president and CEO. “They are critical pieces in a much larger plan for population sustainability and species conservation, as is the work of accredited zoos like Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.”
Well of course they’re aware. All zoos are aware, but most just choose not to put in the effort to successfully breed and sustain the species. It’s a big commitment for zoos to have a successful breeding herd of elephants and unfortunately, very few zoos in the US, are this committed.
Regarding SDZSP bringing in a new bull for breeding, I fear this may not occur till the new habitat opens which is several years down the line. However, there’s also a possibility that they’ll want to have some new calves for the opening of the habitat which means they might acquire a new bull soon. I’ve been waiting for this to happen for a really long time, in fact my very first post on ZC was me asking if SDZSP was planning on bringing in a new bull soon!
That was nearly 2 years ago and still nothing, I had a feeling that Nipho’s transfer out was in preparation for bringing in a new bull. But that was also about a year ago now… all we can do is have our fingers and toes crossed! I’ll also try to ask a keeper or volunteer next time I visit.RhinoHippoElephantGiraffe
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I visited the San Diego Safari Park in October 2021, and keepers there said that they have no plans to bring in a new bull. Maybe Zuli will become the breeding bull at SDZSP when he gets older.Well of course they’re aware. All zoos are aware, but most just choose not to put in the effort to successfully breed and sustain the species. It’s a big commitment for zoos to have a successful breeding herd of elephants and unfortunately, very few zoos in the US, are this committed.
Regarding SDZSP bringing in a new bull for breeding, I fear this may not occur till the new habitat opens which is several years down the line. However, there’s also a possibility that they’ll want to have some new calves for the opening of the habitat which means they might acquire a new bull soon. I’ve been waiting for this to happen for a really long time, in fact my very first post on ZC was me asking if SDZSP was planning on bringing in a new bull soon!
Yeah, no. He’s only 3… and related to all but 2 of the cows.
Mr.Ivory
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That's going to be a huge NO, Umzula Zuli is related to all of the younger cows of San Diego Khosi, Kami, Qinisa, and Mkhaya are all his half sisters
Jayei and Omma are definite options. Considering Ohama have five cows, i'd imagine they'd try to space out the births of their calves, so it makes sense to have mother and daughter (Omma and Jayei) in the second round of births, maybe in two-three years time.
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