North American Asian Elephant Population 2022

Nile Hippo Expert said:
Yes, it would be sad if San Diego lost their 99 1/2 year streak of Asian Elephants. Maybe they'll bring in a new Asian Elephant in the next few months.
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Sad as it would be, it's a trend that is almost certainly going to become more prevalent with how many losses the population has sustained lately. There's not many individuals even available that SDZ could even bring in. Multiple zoos are on the brink of losing the species or planning on going out of them because we just don't have enough to go around. The arrival of the two elephants from Europe will hopefully sustain things a little longer, but unless EEHV can be put in check Asians will keep disappearing from NA sadly.
 
Great Argus said:
Sad as it would be, it's a trend that is almost certainly going to become more prevalent with how many losses the population has sustained lately. There's not many individuals even available that SDZ could even bring in. Multiple zoos are on the brink of losing the species or planning on going out of them because we just don't have enough to go around. The arrival of the two elephants from Europe will hopefully sustain things a little longer, but unless EEHV can be put in check Asians will keep disappearing from NA sadly.
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Plus doesn't San Diego Zoo also have some African Elephants? They may choose to only focus on the one species of elephant, its rather rare for a zoo to keep both.
 
Neil chace said:
Plus doesn't San Diego Zoo also have some African Elephants? They may choose to only focus on the one species of elephant, its rather rare for a zoo to keep both.
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Yes, they currently have a bachelor pair of African Elephants (both born and bred at SDZSP) plus an elderly, post-reproductive cow. I would imagine they’ll be managing a bachelor herd of Africans as an extension of the Safari Park’s breeding program going forward much like how they’ve been holding bachelor male Indian rhinos born at the Safari Park for years now.
 
ZCChip said:
Two Female Asian Elephants Welcomed to Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute


welcome to the USA!!!!
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It’s fantastic to hear they’ve imported a YOUNG matrilineal line, with this mother-daughter dyad surely proving a successful nucleus of the future of the breeding programme, along with Spike.

Even better, there’s a high likelihood we’ll see two calves born around the same time - which will be great for the calves’ social development and herd dynamics.
 
Zoofan15 said:
It’s fantastic to hear they’ve imported a YOUNG matrilineal line, with this mother-daughter dyad surely proving a successful nucleus of the future of the breeding programme, along with Spike.

Even better, there’s a high likelihood we’ll see two calves born around the same time - which will be great for the calves’ social development and herd dynamics.
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The import was needed as both females are descended from well represented European lines. The small herd that will be arriving at Cincinnati soon are actually closely related to these females too.

Still, this arrival presents a great opportunity for Smithsonian and Spike who’s a very genetically valuable male to the region, being the only surviving offspring of both wild born parents.

Hopefully the females will get the chance to breed asap; it’s been nine years since Trong Nhi last conceived (which isn’t that much of a concern imo) but it’ll still be preferable for introductions to happen sooner rather than later. I also think Nhi Linh will be allowed to breed too, now that she’s ten, so hopefully we’ll see two calves at Smithsonian by late 2024!
 
Jambo said:
Hopefully the females will get the chance to breed asap; it’s been nine years since Trong Nhi last conceived (which isn’t that much of a concern imo) but it’ll still be preferable for introductions to happen sooner rather than later. I also think Nhi Linh will be allowed to breed too, now that she’s ten, so hopefully we’ll see two calves at Smithsonian by late 2024!
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ZCChip said:
Actually, let’s hope both are already pregnant with Fahim’s babies.
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The zoo’s announcement states they both have a breeding recommendation with Spike: Two Asian Elephants Arrive at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

The zoo will be mindful not to complicate their introduction to the other cows with pregnancy hormones (which can influence behaviour); so assuming they’re not already pregnant, I’d expect to see them settle into the herd first - with introductions for breeding taking place in the first half of 2023.

Trong Nhi last giving birth nine years ago shouldn’t be an issue as she’s still in her late teens, but breeding her now to avoid delaying this until her early-mid 20’s is advisable and surely the action they’ll be taking.
 
IndianRhino said:
It appears they’re both males, unfortunately. But either way, this is absolutely amazing news to have a surviving pair of twins! Hope everything continues to to go well for Mali and her boys!

Asian Elephant Delivers Miracle Twins at Rosamond Gifford Zoo - Rosamond Gifford Zoo
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StoppableSan said:
Unfortunately? For me, more elephants are more elephants.
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Instant bachelor herd!

I agree though, in some cases the excitement a birth like this has occurred transcends the usual preference for female calves.

It’s a momentous occasion. :)
 
I am curious. Has there a study done to see if twin elephants are insterile like cows?

I hope the twins will do well.
 
ZCChip said:
I am curious. Has there a study done to see if twin elephants are insterile like cows?

I hope the twins will do well.
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With regards to cattle, I assume you’re referring to freemartinism. This phenomenon only affects female calves with a male twin (same sex twins are unaffected) and is caused by the influence of testosterone on the female fetus.

Freemartinism is well documented in the Bovidae family and has also occurred in giraffes. I’ve not heard of it occurring in elephants, but in any case the calves are both male and would be unaffected.
 
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