But if something were to happen to punch like she died before Mikki does, and if Mikki still is in good reproductive health, would Mikki than be considered for breeding again?
North American Asian and African Elephant Populations: Discussion and Speculation
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Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
The vast majority of us have zero way of knowing Mikki's reproductive health as the zoo does not wish to disclose the full reasoning she is being retired. There's practically no chance the SSP would reccomended a valuable founder be sent to a retirement facility if she was still able to have calves. No good zoo would end their breeding program after a calf dies in an unfortunately common way.
That being said, if she was still reproductive, trying to integrate her into a preexisting herd at her age would be a gamble at best. She's never been around a bull before, and hasn't been in a natural herd setting her entire life.
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but she was never put with other African elephants though I don’t think aside from her offspring.
Mikki was housed with one other African outside her offspring and that was 0.1 Jana from 1987 till 1998 when Jana was relocated to Knoxville Zoo.
I meant her personality.
we do not know all the facts. I said “likely”. There are a few cases with some elephants being difficult to deal with.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
I noticed Sabu was being kept seperatly from the females today when I stopped by the Columbus' exhibit. Im assuming this is due to him being in musth and therefore in a likely aggressive state, but I've heard of zoos putting their bulls with females during musth to increase breeding. Would his separation indicate he has successfully bred them? Or would it simply indicate they're not cycling atm?
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
I was wondering this too. The zoo specified that it would be an accredited "zoo" so I highly doubt they're going to a retirement facility like TES.
My first thoughts as potential facilities were Miami, Dickerson and LA. Tulsa also came to mind but I would be genuinely shocked if they were headed there given that Tulsa has stated multiple times that their goal is to house a multigenerational herd. Granted, they DO have the space but it would still be an odd choice at best.
I'm unsure on space at Miami and Dickerson, but both would allow ideal social enviornments for Connie and Hank. Hank thrived when interacting with a younger male (Beco) and both facilities have young bachelor males that would benefit from an older bull mentor.
LA feels like it would be too far away to be realistic, but it would make sense for them to be looking for new individuals since they're down to only two. They would certianly have the space for them both though afaik.
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
The zoo released an article on their website which is below. This news was reported by @E Maximus in the population thread.
Longtime Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Residents, Elephants Hank and Connie, to Embark on New Adventure Together | Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Honestly, if the zoo is concerned about bowing to the ARA extremists and can’t/won’t support the SSP by placing Billy in a breeding situation, they should send their elephants to another facility that can support those efforts. Too much time has already been wasted.
X213G
Well-Known Member
Do you have any ideas where they could get a new bull or cows if they send Billy somewhere else
OKC Zoo has a total of five female elephants. Fort Worth Zoo has a total of four. Why would either zoo be willing to send over half of their elephants to another zoo?