North American Asian Elephant Population 2023
- Thread starter John Marchwick
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Correct!
ALS have been planning to move on Johnson on for a while now and this move has been in the works for a few years now. Covid initially delayed the move so they’ve acquired Sabu in the meantime, but with Sabu heading back to Cincinnati next year they’ll be able to finally acquire Johnson to breed with their three females.
Hopefully this also opens up the opportunity for ALS to acquire a new bull (hopefully from overseas as were the previous plans).
They aren't. It's a screenshot from the SSP breeding plan and they were on the same page of it (due to the alphabetical order that zoos are listed in)
thanks. Makes sense now.
Johnson’s full brother (Samson) only has one surviving son (Bowie) and although he is expecting another offspring soon, he isn’t a well represented male himself. A lot of first generation offspring from the same line but not a lot of calves from them thus far.
Lucy the Elephant | City of Edmonton
There’s been an update on Lucy, with the latest annual assessment, so as of December she’s still around.
There’s also been a post on their Instagram of some of the details in a video.
17 year old Jade at St Louis is approximately 10 months pregnant.
Her father, 30 year old Raja will be moving to Columbus Zoo sometime in the next year or two.
15 year old Samudra from Oregon Zoo will be replacing him as the herds breeding male.
Saint Louis Zoo Elephant News | Saint Louis Zoo
Her father, 30 year old Raja will be moving to Columbus Zoo sometime in the next year or two.
15 year old Samudra from Oregon Zoo will be replacing him as the herds breeding male.
Saint Louis Zoo Elephant News | Saint Louis Zoo
Wow great news!
Awesome to hear Jade has fallen pregnant. The father is Jake (at Denver). Whilst not the best genetic match, a baby on the way is better than nothing!
Also interesting to hear Raja's heading over to Columbus as we're also aware Johnson's heading there too. Both bulls could theoretically be used for breeding imo ie. one bull used initially, and the other used down the line to breed with the initial female born calves.
I was under the impression Samudra was going to be moving soon, so it's equally exciting to finally get confirmation as to where he will be heading. Saint Louis is the perfect destination for him getting the chance to breed with their three young cows. Hopefully there are plans to AI Maliha soon too!
Wisp O' Mist
Well-Known Member
Raja's leaving St. Louis?!? It's a miracle! Never thought that I would see the day.
I wonder if Johnson is really coming to Columbus, and if he does, what will happen to Hank, I don't think Columbus can hold three bulls.
It does seem both bulls are arriving. Afaik Columbus can accommodate all three bulls, but am happy to correction there. If not, there could potentially be plans in place to send Sabu to another facility too.
Wisp O' Mist
Well-Known Member
Why isn't Jake a good genetic match for Jade? Are they closely related?
Hank is 35 years old and has only successfully sired one calf (Frankie), who was conceived via A.I.
I assume that this means that he's a behavioral non-breeder.
If that is the case, I'm not sure why Columbus would bother keeping him when they have not one, but two bulls who have successfully sired multiple calves via natural breeding coming in.
I worded it a little bit wrong, I just meant he comes from a well represented line.
Interestingly Jake himself was born through AI so it's nice his first calf will be born as a result of the same procedure!Hank is a behavioral non breeder. It doesn't make sense to retain him, but he is a valuable companion to one of their cows, Connie who seemingly doesn't get along well with Phoebe. Maybe the two will be moved out together. I agree with you though with the opinion that it doesn't make sense as to why Columbus should elect to retain Hank who's not the most valuable bull too.
Frankie_number_1_fan
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I can't think of any facilities that would be willing to take a headstrong geriatric cow and her bull companion aside from maybe TES. But that would almost certianly mean loosing Hank as an AI donor, something he is proven for at least once (it is possible Ellie was his as well), and obviously trained for. While the number of AI trained bulls is increasing, retiring Hank because of a companion that will likely only live about a decade longer just isn't responsible.
Columbus is certianly in a tight spot right now (figuratively and literally) when it comes to spacing. If Connie really can't be put back with Phoebe, then moving Hank would mean she would have to be kept solitary aside from her time with Rudy and Sunny, which for obvious reasons wouldn't be ideal. Columbus does currently have the space to accomodate 4 social groupings, which more often than not would be three (with one of the bulls in with the breeding herd). While I agree Hank should be sent out asap, Columbus does have the ability to continue housing Connie with Hank until Frankie has to seperate from his natal group. Its pointless to speculate whether Connie will still be alive by then, but if putting her in with Phoebe is not an option at all then they can keep this system until at least the end of the decade.
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
I am currently working on creating the 2024 Asian Elephant population thread and the updated population list which should be completed by tomorrow just so everyone is aware.
Did you get permission to do this?
Although I appreciate it, I have already created both the list and the thread for 2024 am just waiting till midnight to post it. This goes for both populations. (African and Asian)
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
Oh okay, but thank you so much anyways @NOVAElephantEnthusiast I also appreciate that you did it ahead of time too and I am looking forward to seeing it.
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