North American Asian and African Elephant Populations: Discussion and Speculation
- Thread starter IndianRhino
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Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
A good find! The first I've seen them directly state this as well.I totally agree with you. This was just the first time I'd seen an explicit "she is not pregnant" comment in the media, so figured it may be interesting to note.
It’s still early in the game! Rudy is indeed at the tail’s end for a first calf but it’s not too late yet. Johnson should be there longer than Sabu so he has more time to catch her at the right time of the cycle.
Keep in mind the cow may be willing to allow the bull to mate but it doesn’t mean she is ready to ovulate. As in the eggs are at the right time for fertilization.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
Johnson is the perfect bull to have right now as well. He's quite the super bull with a stunning dozen calves sired (11 of those being daughters!)
- 0.1 Nellie (Johnson x Natasha)
- 0.1 Hannah (Johnson x Lily)
- 0.1 Gigi (Johnson x Emily)
- 0.1 Anna May (Johnson x Opal)
- 0.1 Rose (Johnson x Natasha)
- 0.1 Luna (Johnson x Lily)
- 1.0 Onyx (Johnson x Opal)
- 0.1 Sunita (Johnson x Natasha)
- 0.1 Imke (Johnson x Lily)
- 0.1 Maya (Johnson x Emily)
- 0.1 Abigail (Johnson x Lily)
- 0.1 Olivia (Johnson x Opal)
Yes. I agree the number of calves especially females that Johnson has sired is overwhelming. On the other hand he is a proven bull so he can get it done when Sabu hasn’t. One or two more Johnson calves (especially female) wouldn’t hurt especially if African Lion Country doesn’t release their females by him. There is only one male so that really limits the gene pool outside of ALS.
maybe Emmen should petition for him with all of those females. Whatever they are feeding their bulls for all of the boy sperm shouldn’t kill Johnson’s female sperm. Ha ha.
Rumbling in Omaha that they would like to expand elephant exhibit already, and build another barn for a potential bachelor holding. Suspected was rumor, however was on a survey sent out by Omaha Zoo Foundation to foundation supporters this week.
I don’t know how much space they have to expand around/behind current exhibit. Will be interesting to see what unfolds.
I don’t know how much space they have to expand around/behind current exhibit. Will be interesting to see what unfolds.
Mr.Ivory
Well-Known Member
It would be in Omaha's best interest to expand their elephant exhibit for future breeding and housing any bulls born their.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
An expansion would be 100% the perfect path for Omaha.
It should be the goal of every breeding facility to have the capacity for multiple adult bulls and bachelor holding. Omaha especially if they wish to continue breeding at the rate they have been. I'm unsure of their current capacity, but surely their goal is to produce another 5 calves within the next 3-4 years.
Wisp O' Mist
Well-Known Member
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo already has an offsite safari park - The Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari.
Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari - Wikipedia
The Columbus Zoo's offsite safari park is called The Wilds, not "Wildlands".
The Wilds (Ohio) - Wikipedia
And yes, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo is landlocked. They'd have to tear down parts of the current zoo in order to expand the elephant exhibit.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
Wouldn't surprise me if they'd prioritize an elephant expansion over other existing exhibits. They are a huge draw for the zoo and have a species with the most potential for a long-term successful breeding program.
oops. Thank you for the correction and further information.
So, when's Kandula (the young male from D.C. that now lives in Oklahoma City Zoo) going to be able to prove himself?
That being said, he does have a lot of half siblings so maybe there's not a huge rush.
That being said, he does have a lot of half siblings so maybe there's not a huge rush.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
He currently does not have a breeding reccomendation afaik. He could be perfectly able to breed naturally but he isn't a priority of the SSP at the moment so he's probably not being put with the females while they cycle. Likely due to his numerous siblings, and the fact that the other young bull at the facility, Bowie, is comparatively much more valuable.
Yeah I realized he's not super valuable when I looked at his family tree, especially seeing that he's closely related to Johnson (the one heading to Columbus)
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
He is his wildborn mother's only offspring, so he does have that going for him. It's likely he'll be placed in a breeding situation at some point down the line, especially at OKC. It's becoming more and more common for facilities to house two intended breeding bulls (Houston, Columbus, etc), so its extremely likely he will fill the niche inevitably left by Rex in not too many years.
It is almost certainly a weight issue. The largest bull I know of, Hank, is 15,000. I can't find a source on being 17,000, but if true he is overweight.
To be fair, there are a handful of Asian bulls that do hit great sizes without being particularly overweight. The stand out example that comes to mind at the moment would be Thisiam at the Knies Kinderzoo in Switzerland. He is over 17,000 pounds, and in reasonably good body condition. However that said, he’s also just a massive bull in general, very tall and well-built.
in the case of most of the very heavy animals in the states though, Prince, Hank, and the like, their weights come down purely to being obese.
in the case of most of the very heavy animals in the states though, Prince, Hank, and the like, their weights come down purely to being obese.