North American African Elephant Population

[Yazziel]

Why would they wanna phase out elephants? They have an exhibit built for them that's pretty much one of the best in the nation. Is it like San Francisco where they never wanna keep elephants ever again (I still think San Fran can make the space)?

This topic is better of on the speculation thread since it’s not confirmed and it’s only the opinion of certain keepers that believe elephants shouldn’t be in captivity no matter how great they try to improve there quality of life.

 

[Zoo Birding]

I was there last weekend and I asked, about there elephants and they still put Donna and Osh out on exhibit together with the slim chance that Donna can still get pregnant but Osh hasn’t figured out what he is supposed to do (at his age I don’t think he will) and Lisa and Osh don’t get along. I was also shocked that some of the keepers want these to be that last elephants to be at Oakland including the lead keeper. But that doesn’t confirm if they will phase out of elephants.

I would be very bummed out if they were the last ones in Northern California. That would mean the closest place I would get to see African elephants would be Fresno.

I'm new to learning about the African elephant population in the U.S. so forgive my ignorance on a lot of this. Outside of birds, African elephants are my next favorite animal.

Why would they wanna phase out elephants? They have an exhibit built for them that's pretty much one of the best in the nation. Is it like San Francisco where they never wanna keep elephants ever again (I still think San Fran can make the space)?

I only recently learned that San Francisco once had elephants. I seem to recall looking at some sort of plan to reconfigure the zoo so that the entrance wouldn't face the ocean and instead face the east. Unless San Francisco wants to expand a little more of their current African Savannah habitat and be ambitious like what Dallas did in putting the elephants in with other species, or (alternatively) put their black rhino in the African Savanna, transfer out their eastern bongo, and expand the area where the rhino, bongo, and their former hippo used to be, I don't think elephants would return to San Francisco.

Frankly I'm surprised Safari West doesn't host elephants but given what I've read on this forum about Safari West, it's probably for the best they don't have them.

 

[John Marchwick]

Mkhaya, a 4 year old African Elephant at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has EEHV

 

[Zoofan15]

Mkhaya, a 4 year old African Elephant at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has EEHV

Hopefully they've caught it early enough to maximise the effectiveness of treatment. It was detected via blood which is a positive versus her showing symptoms.

It feels like it's been an especially devastating year for EEHV across the European and North American populations.

 

[John Marchwick]

Hopefully they've caught it early enough to maximise the effectiveness of treatment. It was detected via blood which is a positive versus her showing symptoms.

It feels like it's been an especially devastating year for EEHV across the European and North American populations.

she caught the virus last week so I’m wondering given she’s had it apparently for at least 4 days, if maybe the fact they waited so long announcing her case of EEHV is potentially a good sign?

 

[Polar bear fan]

You’re right, typically the first 48 hours are the worst. However we saw at ABQ biopark this winter that you can’t always underestimate the virus.

 

[Jambo]

Mkhaya, a 4 year old African Elephant at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has EEHV

As far as I understand, she's already had it for quite some time.

Detecting it via bloodwork means they've detected it early, so that's good news. Hopefully she's doing well and will make a recovery.

 

[John Marchwick]

You’re right, typically the first 48 hours are the worst. However we saw at ABQ biopark this winter that you can’t always underestimate the virus.

Very true sadly.

 

[Zoofan15]

she caught the virus last week so I’m wondering given she’s had it apparently for at least 4 days, if maybe the fact they waited so long announcing her case of EEHV is potentially a good sign?

I'd interpret this more as the zoo wanting to see the direction things would take before making a public announcement.

As mentioned, the first 48 hours are critical and they may have hoped to make an announcement she was responding well to treatment several days in; rather than be besieged with enquiries from people assuming the worst when they had no idea themselves how it would pan out.

 

[Zoofan15]

she caught the virus last week so I’m wondering given she’s had it apparently for at least 4 days, if maybe the fact they waited so long announcing her case of EEHV is potentially a good sign?

I would also note that this part of the zoo’s media release has a positive tone:

The Safari Park veterinary and wildlife care teams have been working around the clock to provide treatments recommended by the North American EEHV Advisory Group, including famciclovir – a common antiviral. Team members continue to closely monitor the multigenerational herd. We are hopeful that Mkhaya's recovery will provide critical information to the long-term success in protecting elephants all over the world against this virus.

They state their hope of being able to contribute data to the study of EEHV as oppose to hoping she’ll pull through (suggesting they’re confident she’s over the worst and will indeed pull through).

 

[John Marchwick]

I would also note that this part of the zoo’s media release has a positive tone:

The Safari Park veterinary and wildlife care teams have been working around the clock to provide treatments recommended by the North American EEHV Advisory Group, including famciclovir – a common antiviral. Team members continue to closely monitor the multigenerational herd. We are hopeful that Mkhaya's recovery will provide critical information to the long-term success in protecting elephants all over the world against this virus.

They state their hope of being able to contribute data to the study of EEHV as oppose to hoping she’ll pull through (suggesting they’re confident she’s over the worst and will indeed pull through).

I did see that but EEHV is an unpredictable virus. I thought Beco, a 13 year old male Asian Elephant at the Columbus Zoo would pull through when he caught EEHV but he died from it. We can’t get ahead of ourselves with this virus sadly.

 

[Zoofan15]

I did see that but EEHV is an unpredictable virus. I thought Beco, a 13 year old male Asian Elephant at the Columbus Zoo would pull through when he caught EEHV but he died from it. We can’t get ahead of ourselves with this virus sadly.

Beco’s death was very tragic, but the difference is he was diagnosed after presenting with symptoms (lethargy) and died two days later. It appears the majority of elephants that are only diagnosed when symptomatic succumb to the virus, while those who are detected via blood work stand a chance of fighting it. The fact she has now done so for several days gives me additional hope.

 

[Hyak_II]

I’ll add to the situation, and my thoughts echo several others. I think the combination of the fact that this has occurred (as far as EEHV is concerned) some time ago, the particular wording of the post, and the fact that she is an African elephant, housed in a very large herd with a variety of animals of different ages, bode well for a positive prognosis And successful recovery.

 

[Christopher81]

Zoo Knoxville announced this morning that their elephants Tonka, Jana, and Edie will be moving to the TN elephant sanctuary in Hohenwald, TN as part of their end of life care plan.

The zoo also hints at a new master plan coming soon involving a future with elephants.

Zoo Knoxville on Instagram: "Zoo Friends, we have some important news to share with you. Zoo Knoxville announced today that African elephants Tonka, Jana, and Edie will be moving to @theelephantsanctuary in Tennessee, located in Hohenwald, Tennessee. Elephants have complex social needs and thrive with companionship. All three of Zoo Knoxville’s elephants are senior citizens by elephant standards. Realizing that Knoxville’s herd will be facing inevitable losses in the near future, Zoo Knoxville began exploring options to ensure their social needs would be met for the remainder of their lives. Zoo Knoxville and The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee are both accredited members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), assuring the continuation of the highest standard of care for them. A lot of thought and consideration about what they needed to ensure their wellbeing at this stage of their lives went in to this decision. In addition to the high standard of care that is assured at an AZA-accredited facility, continuity of veterinary care in close consultation with U.T. College of Veterinary Medicine, the range of companionship they can provide, and the short amount of travel required for the move were decisive factors. Zoo Knoxville remains committed to our long legacy with elephants, however. We will be sharing a new master plan soon that includes a vision for the future of elephants in Knoxville with the support of the community. The moves will not be immediate and are ultimately dependent on the elephants themselves. Our expert elephant caretakers will begin training Jana, Edie, and Tonka to voluntarily enter and stand in a travel crate with positive reinforcement. When they are comfortable with this routine, females Jana and Edie will make the first moves accompanied by their care staff and veterinarians, and be followed later in 2023 by male Tonka. Zoo Knoxville will keep the community up to date on their departure so there is time to wish them farewell. #aza #elephants"

 

[Polar bear fan]

Zoo Knoxville announced this morning that their elephants Tonka, Jana, and Edie will be moving to the TN elephant sanctuary in Hohenwald, TN as part of their end of life care plan.

The zoo also hints at a new master plan coming soon involving a future with elephants.

Zoo Knoxville on Instagram: "Zoo Friends, we have some important news to share with you. Zoo Knoxville announced today that African elephants Tonka, Jana, and Edie will be moving to @theelephantsanctuary in Tennessee, located in Hohenwald, Tennessee. Elephants have complex social needs and thrive with companionship. All three of Zoo Knoxville’s elephants are senior citizens by elephant standards. Realizing that Knoxville’s herd will be facing inevitable losses in the near future, Zoo Knoxville began exploring options to ensure their social needs would be met for the remainder of their lives. Zoo Knoxville and The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee are both accredited members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), assuring the continuation of the highest standard of care for them. A lot of thought and consideration about what they needed to ensure their wellbeing at this stage of their lives went in to this decision. In addition to the high standard of care that is assured at an AZA-accredited facility, continuity of veterinary care in close consultation with U.T. College of Veterinary Medicine, the range of companionship they can provide, and the short amount of travel required for the move were decisive factors. Zoo Knoxville remains committed to our long legacy with elephants, however. We will be sharing a new master plan soon that includes a vision for the future of elephants in Knoxville with the support of the community. The moves will not be immediate and are ultimately dependent on the elephants themselves. Our expert elephant caretakers will begin training Jana, Edie, and Tonka to voluntarily enter and stand in a travel crate with positive reinforcement. When they are comfortable with this routine, females Jana and Edie will make the first moves accompanied by their care staff and veterinarians, and be followed later in 2023 by male Tonka. Zoo Knoxville will keep the community up to date on their departure so there is time to wish them farewell. #aza #elephants"

I’m really happy for the girls but ig I wish that they’d sent Tonka to be with cows for breeding. Pittsburgh, Hogle, San Diego, Reid Park, or Montgomery would all have been great.

 

[Christopher81]

I agree but I have heard from several friends that Tonka is infertile and that they have done multiple collections on him but unfortunately he has never produced a viable sample.

 

[Polar bear fan]

I agree but I have heard from several friends that Tonka is infertile and that they have done multiple collections on him but unfortunately he has never produced a viable sample.

If that’s the case then it’s really good and lucky for him that he’ll be getting so many girlfriends.

 

[Hyak_II]

Hm. On the assumption Tonka is genuinely infertile, I’m fine with this move, I suppose.

 

[Jambo]

Zoo Knoxville announced this morning that their elephants Tonka, Jana, and Edie will be moving to the TN elephant sanctuary in Hohenwald, TN as part of their end of life care plan.

The zoo also hints at a new master plan coming soon involving a future with elephants.

Zoo Knoxville on Instagram: "Zoo Friends, we have some important news to share with you. Zoo Knoxville announced today that African elephants Tonka, Jana, and Edie will be moving to @theelephantsanctuary in Tennessee, located in Hohenwald, Tennessee. Elephants have complex social needs and thrive with companionship. All three of Zoo Knoxville’s elephants are senior citizens by elephant standards. Realizing that Knoxville’s herd will be facing inevitable losses in the near future, Zoo Knoxville began exploring options to ensure their social needs would be met for the remainder of their lives. Zoo Knoxville and The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee are both accredited members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), assuring the continuation of the highest standard of care for them. A lot of thought and consideration about what they needed to ensure their wellbeing at this stage of their lives went in to this decision. In addition to the high standard of care that is assured at an AZA-accredited facility, continuity of veterinary care in close consultation with U.T. College of Veterinary Medicine, the range of companionship they can provide, and the short amount of travel required for the move were decisive factors. Zoo Knoxville remains committed to our long legacy with elephants, however. We will be sharing a new master plan soon that includes a vision for the future of elephants in Knoxville with the support of the community. The moves will not be immediate and are ultimately dependent on the elephants themselves. Our expert elephant caretakers will begin training Jana, Edie, and Tonka to voluntarily enter and stand in a travel crate with positive reinforcement. When they are comfortable with this routine, females Jana and Edie will make the first moves accompanied by their care staff and veterinarians, and be followed later in 2023 by male Tonka. Zoo Knoxville will keep the community up to date on their departure so there is time to wish them farewell. #aza #elephants"

I'm genuinely okay with this choice by Knoxville especially as their elephants are getting rather old, and obviously Knoxville isn't entirely sure where their future with elephants lies.

It is a shame though to hear Tonka is in fact infertile (being an unrepresented bull in the region). But it does make sense as he's failed to breed with both Edie and Jana for the past two decades.

Hopefully Knoxville can acquire some elephants again in the future, with a much more improved complex for them.

 

[ZCChip]

If that’s the case then it’s really good and lucky for him that he’ll be getting so many girlfriends.

Actually he will have his own habitat but I am sure it will be adjacent to the girls. TES was having a fund raiser for it.