North American Asian and African Elephant Populations 2025: Discussion and Speculation

[Frankie_number_1_fan]

Sometimes i think zoos having 1 to 2 breedable cows is a better road to go down than having 5 or more as it means having no numerous amounts of unrelated cows and calves in the same space and reaching capacity too quickly resulting in a matriline split like SDSP Sedgwick and Omaha. Fresno is a great example as Amahle is Nowalzi's daughter.

Eh, both have benefits but larger groups are unquestionably better for many reasons. Large cow groupings, especially in Africans, allow for herd births and opportunities for calves to grow up amongst other calves without a large risk of disharmony. The only real benefit smaller groups have is taking up less space, but even in those cases the end goal is for those groups to grow.
Omaha and Sedgwick appear to have the room to expand, so honestly I see little problem with facilities equipped for large groups to hold more animals.

 

[The Horse Boy]

Eh, both have benefits but larger groups are unquestionably better for many reasons. Large cow groupings, especially in Africans, allow for herd births and opportunities for calves to grow up amongst other calves. The only real benefit smaller groups have is taking up less space, but even in those cases the end goal is for those groups to grow.

I feel Sedgwick Omaha and SDSP are the apothesis of more ideal breeding African cow groupings in zoos highlighting how large matriarchal herds can balloon up in the wild. But these 3 still necessitate a family split in the not too far with at least 1 of their 5 or 3 adult cows should their successful breeding program continue to take off. I believe that's partially why Brookfield and Memphis plan to build new African habitats in the near future, and a few geriatric facilities like Cleveland Atlanta NC etc are already built for.

 

[Frankie_number_1_fan]

I feel Sedgwick Omaha and SDSP are the apothesis of more ideal breeding African cow groupings in zoos highlighting how large matriarchal herds can balloon up in the wild. But these 3 still necessitate a family split in the not too far with at least 1 of their 5 or 3 adult cows should their successful breeding program continue to take off. I believe that's partially why Brookfield and Memphis plan to build new African habitats in the near future, and a few geriatric facilities like Cleveland Atlanta NC etc are already built for.

Its guaranteed that Omaha and Sedgwick will have to split off, SDSP will be determined by how many of their younger girls successfully breed.
It is the ultimate goal of every breeding facility, African or Asian, to have a fully related breeding group tied to a single matriline. The larger facilies too will be working towards this goal as their breeding success (hopefully) continues.
I imagine Omaha will be the first to send cows out, likely after they welcome a second cohort. I'm certian they'll retain Jayei's line as well as Kiki and Eugenia. I'm unsure when Brookfield intends to break ground/open their elephant exhibit, but it would make sense for Lolly, Claire and their respective calves to head there if the timing matches up.

 

[The Horse Boy]

I'm positive Dallas Fresno Reid Park Tampa Indy KC NC could theoretically house a large breeding group akin to the 3 respective zoos. Dallas mentioned plans to expand their elephant barn by adding a large indoor playroom as part of their new master plan released last year to accommodate a possibility explosive birth rate.

 

[The Horse Boy]

I imagine Omaha will be the first to send cows out, likely after they welcome a second cohort. I'm certian they'll retain Jayei's line as well as Kiki and Eugenia. I'm unsure when Brookfield intends to break ground/open their elephant exhibit, but it would make sense for Lolly, Claire and their respective calves to head there if the timing matches up.

That will come down to when Callee's replacement bull will come to Omaha and if he will generate another birth boom in all 5 of their adult cows.

 

[Frankie_number_1_fan]

That will come down to when Callee's replacement bull will come to Omaha and if he will generate another birth boom in all 5 of their adult cows.

I have a feeling Omaha will wait a few more years before bringing in a new bull, but I don't think that would necessarily interfere with a potential transfer. They're pushing capacity but they also have to keep in mind the birth intervals for their cows. Realistically I can see them waiting until 5 years since their first births (2027) to shoot for 2029 calves. I realistically can't see them going much earlier

 

[The Horse Boy]

I have a feeling Omaha will wait a few more years before bringing in a new bull, but I don't think that would necessarily interfere with a potential transfer. They're pushing capacity but they also have to keep in mind the birth intervals for their cows. Realistically I can see them waiting until 5 years since their first births (2027) to shoot for 2029 calves. I realistically can't see them going much earlier

I think part of why Omaha don't have no bull yet is because yes i think they're hitting capacity and also none of their cows need babies ASAP as they're all young and experienced. When the appropiate time strikes, the bulls i can picture them bringing in would be any of Mabu's bachelor sons Samson Tamani Jabali or Musi as they're bulls not needed for urgent breeding scenarios. They might as well wait to dispatch one of their family units before a new bull comes cuz each 5 of the adult cows unrelated and have 5 different family units though still well integrated (as for sedgwick and sdsp too). Jayei's line would make the most sense for Omaha to retain longer term to me as it's getting to be pretty extensive.

 

[MidwestFan]

They might as well wait to dispatch one of their family units before a new bull comes cuz each 5 of the adult cows unrelated and have 5 different family units though still well integrated (as for sedgwick and sdsp too). Jayei's line would make the most sense for Omaha to retain longer term to me as it's getting to be pretty extensive.

That is not true, 2 of the adult cows ARE related, Omma is Jayei’s daughter, born prior to import.

 

[The Horse Boy]

I'm unsure when Brookfield intends to break ground/open their elephant exhibit,

It's part of a 10 year next century master plan that will happen in 4 phases that'll be fully done. If i'm right it'll be the next project as Phase 2- alongside a refurbed Aussie campus- after concluding the Tropical Forest habitat for orangutans gorillas and various monkey species later this year. I believe they supposedly will break ground sometime next year and they said it will take over 2 years or so to complete, so yhe whole Gateway to Africa area will probably be finished by 2028 or 2029 at least. As for them searching for an availability facility to take in a new herd, Omaha shalt probably their best bet as it's closer than Sedgwick and SDWAP, being over 450 miles away and should be perfect timing for them to truck out a matrline.

Brookfield Zoo Unveils ‘Next Century Plan’ and It Looks Wild
Brookfield Zoo Chicago is getting a major upgrade

 

[Frankie_number_1_fan]

They might as well wait to dispatch one of their family units before a new bull comes cuz each 5 of the adult cows unrelated and have 5 different family units though still well integrated

Omaha is definitely pushing capacity, but another few factors to consider is appropiate birth intervals and proper mentoring of the bull calves. Claire and Kiki last gave birth in 2022, so even waiting a few years to bring in a bull would be pushing their birth interval to seven years between calves. Introducing a bull into the current full group would be extremely beneficial for the calves as well, especially the bulls, to witness. It would be unquestionably better for that experience to occur when they're still with their natal group and at such an impressionable stage (Not saying Callee's hoard of sons are likely to enter the breeding scene anytime soon, but beneficial nonetheless ), especially given that any males would more than likely be seperated shortly after their arrival to another facility.

 

[MidwestFan]

Omaha has plans to expand their elephant exhibit. I would be shocked if we don’t see a bull arrive in 2026 or before. As noted, beneficial to the male calves and appropriate birthing intervals.
I won’t speculate on who it may be, because I believe none of us know and we can speculate all we want, but the SSP will decide and rightfully so, moves will likely be non-public info to keep the crazy ARA from interjecting.

 

[Frankie_number_1_fan]

Omaha has plans to expand their elephant exhibit. I would be shocked if we don’t see a bull arrive in 2026 or before. As noted, beneficial to the male calves and appropriate birthing intervals.
I won’t speculate on who it may be, because I believe none of us know and we can speculate all we want, but the SSP will decide and rightfully so, moves will likely be non-public info to keep the crazy ARA from interjecting.

Do we have a timeline of those plans? Everything I've heard has been purely chatter at the moment and iirc there's been doubt that they actually have the room for an expansion.

The canidates for a bull are also up in the air entirely. Due to Omaha's location it could be a number of males that imo would be impossible to pin down a true "guess" (Though I'm hopeful it won't be Mabu personally). A 2026 move I can definitely see, both to give a potential younger bull time to figure out the ropes and time for calves to be born and grow before an, albiet entirely hypothetical, 2029-2030 move elswhere.

 

[MidwestFan]

Do we have a timeline of those plans? Everything I've heard has been purely chatter at the moment and iirc there's been doubt that they actually have the room for an expansion.

Foundation is socializing concept to donors.

I suspect with move of zebras and other hoofstock out of what was multi species elephant habitat, that opens up some areas for elephant expansion.

I have no info and have seen no plans, but my guess is expansion includes into the lagoon area pushing up against cheetahs and bongos.

It seems to be a priority, it has been consistent in donor communication for a couple of years now.

 

[Frankie_number_1_fan]

Foundation is socializing concept to donors.

I suspect with move of zebras and other hoofstock out of what was multi species elephant habitat, that opens up some areas for elephant expansion.

I have no info and have seen no plans, but my guess is expansion includes into the lagoon area pushing up against cheetahs and bongos.

It seems to be a priority, it has been consistent in donor communication for a couple of years now.

I'll certianly be interested to see what they plan to do. I've never visited so I'm sure others would have a better scope of this than I would, but the exhibit doesn't appear to be flanked by any available land and would enroach on other exhibits if they do want to push their capacity higher into the double digits. However as we all know, we'll just have to wait and see!

 

[Mr.Ivory]

I'll certianly be interested to see what they plan to do. I've never visited so I'm sure others would have a better scope of this than I would, but the exhibit doesn't appear to be flanked by any available land and would enroach on other exhibits if they do want to push their capacity higher into the double digits. However as we all know, we'll just have to wait and see!

Having visited back in November last year, the lagoon is pretty sizable and their is a fenced off portion of the one of larger yards I'd imagine that it will at least give them one extra acre. And hey if Houston can house up 13 Asian Elephant on 3.5 acres who's to say that Omaha can't do the same with 5-6 acres.

 

[Frankie_number_1_fan]

Having visited back in November last year, the lagoon is pretty sizable and their is a fenced off portion of the one of larger yards I'd imagine that it will at least give them one extra acre. And hey if Houston can house up 13 Asian Elephant on 3.5 acres who's to say that Omaha can't do the same with 5-6 acres.

You bring up an interesting point with Houston! However I think it is important to note that Houston does have two barns and a warmer climate than Nebraska, which allows for a (albiet slightly) larger capacity due to the amount of time the elephants have open access to the yards. Nebraska faces fairly severe winter storms, so imo their barn size would be the key factor in their capacity.
I would say that Omaha could hold a similar amount of elephants in their current state assuming male calves aren't seperated until 7+ years old and the cows share stalls in the barn. However I'm sure their ultimate goal would be upper teens if not more, but that may have to come from a barn expansion, if that is possible.

 

[The Horse Boy]

moves will likely be non-public info to keep the crazy ARA from interjecting.

I have noticed that lately a lot of times elephant transfers between zoos and plans for them have become either announced in advance but with the location name unmentioned until the individuals arrive and settle in or they go completely private about it, then publicize the move when the elephant(s) has already arrived and settled for some safety purposes. Examples include Tsavos move to Reid Park, Titan moving to ATL, and Chrisie and Zuri leaving Hogle for KC.

 

[MidwestFan]

However I think it is important to note that Houston does have two barns and a warmer climate than Nebraska, which allows for a (albiet slightly) larger capacity due to the amount of time the elephants have open access to the yards. Nebraska faces fairly severe winter storms, so imo their barn size would be the key factor in their capacity.
I would say that Omaha could hold a similar amount of elephants in their current state assuming male calves aren't seperated until 7+ years old and the cows share stalls in the barn. However I'm sure their ultimate goal would be upper teens if not more, but that may have to come from a barn expansion, if that is possible.

see post about plans:
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium News 2025 [Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo]

 

[The Horse Boy]

I wonder why Sdudla has not produced offspring with Matjeka or Mbali at Tampa since they each produced a daughter in 2012 and 13. I thibk I saw post here saying it was something to do with their management policies.

 

[Jambo]

I wonder why Sdudla has not produced offspring with Matjeka or Mbali at Tampa since they each produced a daughter in 2012 and 13.

Tampa have tried. Sdulda's mated both cows - yet nothing has seemingly eventuated for some reason.