Interesting! Do you know which individuals are still at the Ringling Campus? If White Oak does have ownership of all the former Ringling Animals, then that confirms that they are only those individuals are still alive.
While I can't speak for Isa, Viola is still very much alive and still traveling with the circus. As can be seen from her well publicized escape from her handlers a few days ago.
The initial plan was to acquire females following Nellie (and Dahlip's) passings.
Shanti and Bozie have been seperated for decades now. Reintroducing them presents loads more challenges than benefits especially given that both are a part of long established social groups.
Ongard and Nellie are on exhibit together iirc (anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong though), so both are receiving socialization even if not an ideal way. Miami's recent plans for elephants are honestly very up in the air. As others have pointed out, their exhibit is not large enough to house a growing breeding herd, so they'd have to undergo severe rennovations before even considering bringing in cows for Ongard. I've seen speculation that they might be a future bachelor facility given their current exhibit layout, but I've seen nothing from the facility themselves that hints to that.
Apparently the plan is to send him over to Houston; where he has a breeding recommendation with Joy.
Tupelo is recommended for AI with I believe two different males at this time.
Yes, but obviously this is a move that is planned for in a few years (rather than right now). Sending Tucker elsewhere will probably have to occur before Houston could bring in another bull too.
Denver has stated that Chuck will arrive in Houston in early May, so presumably in a week or two. He's probably being transferred "early" so that he can assimilate into the bachelor grouping there. It makes much more sense for them to have a prepared breeding bull rather than a bull related to the young females in the facility.
Interesting as it would take them up to four bachelor bulls (Capacity).
Teddy and Nelson are not fully integrated into the bachelor herd and presumably won't be for a few years. Teddy hasn't been introduced to the older boys yet afaik. So they are very much not at capacity with their bulls for now.
I was aware of this particular (potential) transfer move. I just wanted to leave it unmentioned and in the middle (forumsters already commented upon the issue and cited the intended recipient zoo) as as long as this move has not actually happened all sorts of eventualities might happen delaying a move or even not having it proceed. I just let myself and others be pleasantly surprised if and when it actually has happened (and both zoos involved have actually publicised the move on their communication and social media channels). I think this is professionally best practice (aside I might be privy to confidential information that has been communicated in confidential dialogue or communications).
You may be correct age-wise as cow elephants throughout their natural range at around 10-12 years of age. A more recently researched phenomenon in captivity has indicated that best practice in captivity may promote / advance first age at reproduction and onset of sexual maturity may occur much earlier ... (even at the 6-9 years of age range). F Joy is now at the first step in that process.
I am somewhat surprised and admittedly just al little dismayed that AZA SSP management continues to over-emphasize and put so much in resources into usage of assisted reproduction techniques and artificial insemination over natural breeding when there are proven or potential breeding bulls on site or will be transferred shortly into a breeding situation with available and reproductively active / able cows on site.